The Best Private Schools in Upperco, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Upperco. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Jemicy School - Upper School Campus
The Jemicy School
Jemicy School is nationally recognized for educating students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Located approximately 20 minutes from Upperco in Owings Mills, the school serves students from grades 1-12. Jemicy employs research-based methodologies including Orton-Gillingham approach and provides individualized instruction while maintaining high academic standards. The campus features specialized learning spaces, technology labs, and athletic facilities. The school has an exceptional record of preparing students for college success with 100% college acceptance rate.
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Gerstell Academy
Gerstell Academy
Gerstell Academy is a premier private school located just 15 minutes from Upperco in Finksburg. The school emphasizes leadership development alongside rigorous college preparatory academics. Students participate in daily Spanish language immersion from preschool through 12th grade. The 72-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. The school offers a comprehensive athletic program with 20+ sports teams and emphasizes character development through its unique leadership curriculum.
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St. Paul's School for Girls
St. Paul's Schools
St. Paul's School for Girls is an independent Episcopal school located about 25 minutes from Upperco in Brooklandville. The school provides a rigorous college preparatory education specifically designed for young women in grades 5-12. The curriculum emphasizes STEM education, leadership development, and global perspectives. The 48-acre campus includes modern science laboratories, performing arts center, athletic facilities, and innovative learning spaces. The school offers a robust athletic program with 14 sports and extensive arts opportunities including theater, music, and visual arts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Upperco, Maryland
What are the primary private school options available in Upperco, Maryland, and what are their core educational focuses?
Upperco, Maryland, is home to a small but distinctive cluster of private schools, each with a specialized mission. Gerstell Academy emphasizes leadership development through a bilingual (Spanish) curriculum and a college-preparatory program. The Jemicy School - Upper School Campus, located on the former Maryland School for the Blind property, is renowned for its highly specialized program for bright students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. While St. Paul's School for Girls is technically in Brooklandville, it is a major regional institution frequently considered by Upperco families, offering a rigorous all-girls, college-preparatory education. The options in and near Upperco are characterized by this focus on specialized, mission-driven education rather than a broad array of general private schools.
How does tuition for private schools in the Upperco, Maryland, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for the private schools serving Upperco families is generally at or above the Maryland state average for private education, reflecting their specialized programs and lower student-to-teacher ratios. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition at these schools often ranges from approximately $30,000 to $40,000+. However, robust financial aid is a cornerstone of these institutions. All three schools—Gerstell Academy, Jemicy, and St. Paul's—have significant need-based financial aid programs. Additionally, Maryland offers the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program, which provides K-12 scholarships for eligible students to attend nonpublic schools, a valuable resource for qualifying Upperco families to offset costs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools in the Upperco area that leverage the local environment?
Private schools in the Upperco area leverage Maryland's diverse geography and history to create unique programs. Gerstell Academy, situated on a 183-acre campus, heavily incorporates its rural setting into its curriculum with outdoor leadership training, environmental science projects, and extensive athletic facilities. The Jemicy School utilizes its spacious campus to provide a low-stress, supportive environment conducive to its specialized learning strategies, including outdoor spaces for experiential learning. While not in Upperco proper, St. Paul's School for Girls and other Baltimore-area partners offer unique programs in STEM, robotics, and arts that draw on the resources of the broader region. The semi-rural setting of Upperco itself allows these schools to offer expansive campuses rarely found closer to urban centers.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Gerstell Academy or Jemicy School that serve Upperco, MD?
The enrollment process for Upperco-area private schools is highly structured and begins early. For fall admission, the ideal timeline starts 12-18 months in advance. The process typically involves: 1) Summer/Fall: Attending open houses and virtual tours (often starting in September). 2) Fall: Submitting an application, usually due between January and February. 3) Winter: Completing student assessments, interviews, and for schools like Jemicy, a comprehensive educational evaluation is a required part of the application. 4) March: Most Baltimore-area private schools, including those serving Upperco, issue admission decisions on a common notification date in mid-March. It's crucial to contact each school's admissions office directly, as timelines for specialized programs (like Jemicy's) may have different requirements and deadlines.
For a family in Upperco, what are the key considerations when deciding between the local public schools (like Hereford High School) and the nearby private options?
The decision often hinges on educational philosophy, specific student needs, and community environment. Hereford Zone in Baltimore County Public Schools is known for its strong athletics, agricultural programs (like its famed "Bull Run"), and a traditional public school experience in a semi-rural community. In contrast, private options offer distinct alternatives: a focused leadership model (Gerstell), expert remediation for learning differences (Jemicy), or a single-gender, college-prep environment (St. Paul's). Key considerations include class size (public schools are larger), program specialization, tuition cost versus tax-funded education, and transportation—private schools require personal or arranged transport, whereas public schools provide busing. Many Upperco families value the tight-knit community of the Hereford zone but may seek private options for a more tailored academic approach or specific support services.
Private Education Insights
Choosing the Best Private Middle School in Upperco, MD: A Parent's Guide
For families in Upperco, Maryland, navigating the pivotal middle school years can feel particularly significant. The transition from elementary to high school is a time of immense growth, and finding the right educational environment is paramount. A private middle school in this region offers a distinct path, one that can be tailored to meet the unique academic, social, and developmental needs of your child during these formative years. The landscape here in northern Baltimore County provides several compelling options, each with its own character, allowing you to find a community that aligns with your family's values and your child's aspirations.
The local context is important. Upperco itself offers a serene, semi-rural setting, yet it remains within a manageable commute to the broader educational and cultural resources of the Baltimore metro area. This means families can enjoy a quieter home life while accessing specialized, high-caliber private institutions. For instance, Gerstell Academy, located right in Upperco, integrates leadership training into its core curriculum, emphasizing physical fitness and character development alongside rigorous academics. This holistic approach in a private middle school setting can be ideal for building confidence and resilience during the early adolescent years. Meanwhile, the presence of The Jemicy School's Upper School Campus nearby highlights the availability of specialized support; while its upper school serves older students, it underscores the area's strong commitment to differentiated learning, a philosophy that many private middle schools in the region embrace to ensure no student falls through the cracks.
Choosing a private middle school in Upperco often involves considering the journey beyond eighth grade. Many families look for programs with a clear trajectory into strong high schools. A school like St. Paul's School for Girls, though a drive from Upperco, represents the kind of esteemed secondary institution that parents might be planning toward. Selecting a private middle school with a proven record of preparing students for such competitive environments can alleviate future transition stress. The focus in these critical years shifts to mastering organizational skills, fostering intellectual curiosity, and encouraging exploration in athletics and the arts—all within a smaller, more supportive community than typically found in larger public systems.
Ultimately, the decision is deeply personal. We encourage Upperco families to visit campuses, feel the culture, and ask pointed questions about class size, teacher mentorship, and how the school addresses the social-emotional learning that is so crucial at this age. The investment in a private middle school is not merely academic; it is an investment in a community that partners with you to guide your child through the complexities of growing up. The options available in and around Upperco provide a remarkable opportunity to find a place where your child is known, challenged, and inspired during a defining chapter of their educational journey.
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