The Best Private Schools in Taylors Island, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Taylors Island. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Gunston School
Independent School
The Gunston School is a premier coeducational, independent, college preparatory day school serving students in grades 9-12. Located approximately 30 minutes from Taylors Island, Gunston offers a rigorous academic program with small class sizes averaging 10-12 students. The school features a 35-acre waterfront campus on the Corsica River, providing exceptional environmental science and marine biology opportunities. Gunston's curriculum includes Advanced Placement courses, extensive arts programs, and competitive athletics. The school is known for its strong college placement record and commitment to developing ethical leaders.
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Salisbury School
Independent School
Salisbury School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Located about 45 minutes from Taylors Island, the school offers a comprehensive educational experience with a focus on academic excellence and character development. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology centers, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. Salisbury School maintains small class sizes and offers a robust curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, extensive extracurricular activities, and strong athletic programs. The school emphasizes community service and leadership development.
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Grace Christian School
Grace Christian School
Grace Christian School is a private Christian school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, located approximately 45 minutes from Taylors Island. The school provides a Christ-centered education with a strong academic foundation, integrating biblical principles throughout the curriculum. Grace Christian offers a comprehensive college preparatory program, including Advanced Placement courses, along with extensive fine arts and athletic opportunities. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, and athletic facilities. With a focus on developing students spiritually, academically, and socially, Grace Christian maintains a strong community atmosphere and emphasizes service learning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Taylors Island, Maryland
What are the realistic private school options for a family living on Taylors Island, Maryland, given its rural location?
Due to Taylors Island's rural setting on Maryland's Eastern Shore, there are no private schools directly on the island. Families typically look at schools within a commutable distance, primarily in Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico Counties. The most frequently considered options include The Gunston School in Centreville (approximately a 45-minute drive), which is a co-ed, college-preparatory day school; Salisbury School in Salisbury (about an hour's drive), a co-ed, college-prep day and boarding school; and Grace Christian School in Salisbury, which offers a Christ-centered education. Transportation is a key logistical consideration, with most families arranging carpools or utilizing the schools' own bus routes that may service broader areas.
How does the tuition at Eastern Shore private schools like Gunston or Salisbury compare to the Maryland state average, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition at top Eastern Shore private schools is generally competitive with the state average for similar institutions but can be a significant investment for Taylors Island families. For the 2024-2025 academic year, day student tuition at The Gunston School is approximately $28,000, while Salisbury School is around $26,000. Grace Christian School is often more affordable, typically in the $8,000-$10,000 range. All these schools offer need-based financial aid, and some have merit scholarship programs. Maryland also offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded vouchers for eligible K-12 students to attend private schools, a crucial resource for many families in the region.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Taylors Island offer that leverage the local Chesapeake Bay environment?
Schools in this region often integrate the unique Chesapeake Bay ecosystem into their curricula, providing a distinctive educational advantage. The Gunston School has a renowned Chesapeake Bay Studies program and a waterfront campus with a leadership and environmental center, offering hands-on marine science, ecology, and sustainability studies. Salisbury School also emphasizes environmental science with access to local watersheds. These programs offer Taylors Island students unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning right in their backyard, from oyster restoration projects to water quality monitoring, blending rigorous college-prep academics with place-based education.
What is the enrollment timeline and process like for private schools serving Taylors Island, and how far in advance should we apply?
The enrollment process for schools like Gunston, Salisbury, and Grace Christian typically begins in the fall, about a year before desired entry. The standard timeline involves open houses from September to January, application deadlines in January or February (often with a financial aid deadline around the same time), and admission decisions released in March for the following academic year. Given the limited seats and the number of families from across the Eastern Shore vying for placement, it is highly advisable for Taylors Island residents to begin research and campus visits 12-18 months in advance. Many schools also require standardized testing (SSAT or ISEE) and student interviews.
For a Taylors Island family, what are the key factors in choosing between a local public school and a private school a significant drive away?
This decision hinges on balancing educational philosophy, logistics, and community. Taylors Island is served by Dorchester County Public Schools, which involves busing to schools in Cambridge or other towns. The primary draw of a private school is a specific educational approach (progressive, classical, religious), smaller class sizes, and specialized programs (like advanced STEM or arts). However, the trade-off is a daily commute of 45 minutes to over an hour each way to schools in Centreville or Salisbury, which impacts family time and extracurricular participation. Parents must weigh the academic and social benefits against the practical challenges of distance, transportation costs, and being disconnected from the immediate local school community.
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