Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools 2019-2020 by independentschoolguide

2019-2020

Guide to Baltimore

Independent Schools Learn about the teachers, students, programs and institutions that make up Baltimore’s independent school community.

Independent School Guide Publisher and Editorial Director Susan Gerardo Dunn

Market Editor and Stylist Laurie Wingate

Editor in Chief Muffy Fenwick

Advertising Executives Nicole Allen Julie Sawyer

Photographer Whitney Wasson

The Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools is published once yearly by Indicia Media, publishers of baltimorefishbowl.com. To advertise in the guide, contact Nicole Allen at nicole@baltimorefishbowl.com or Susan Dunn at suzy@baltimorefishbowl.com. Indicia Media, 1014 West 36th Street Baltimore, Maryland 21211 443-668-2182

Contributors Sarah Achenbach David Nitkin Karen Nitkin Emily Parks

This guide was produced for Indicia Media by Today Media Custom Communications 410-828-0120 todaymediacustom.com

Letter from the editor WE ARE EXCITED to introduce the fourth annual Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools. We hope you will enjoy the enhancements to sections highlighting programmatic initiatives, innovative administrators and impressive student leaders as well as thoughtful stories about issues facing schools today. Baltimore is so fortunate to offer a wealth of independent schools that meet the needs of our diverse community. Here, you will be introduced to schools ranging from single-sex to co-ed, religious to independent and k-8 to prekindergarten-12. We have no doubt that these pages will pique your interest in the abundant education options our area has to offer.

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This year, we delved into the hot topics that consume schools and families today. First-time parents grapple with preschool choices, weighing the pressure to immerse toddlers in an academic program over traditional play-based ones. In our 21st-century education story, we address how schools are educating students for an ever-changing world. Finally, we explore the competing demands on today’s teens. From social media to sex education, teenagers are overwhelmed by challenges unforeseen by their parents. Our area schools have developed new programs to enhance learning in and out of the classroom. They have welcomed new administrators from across the country to bolster their leadership and initiate change. In our

ever-popular School Spirit section, we learn how boys and girls from lower to upper schools serve as leaders, furthering their schools’ missions and showcasing their pride in their schools.

As always, we hope these snapshots will inspire you to further explore the schools in our area. Visit their incredible campuses, study their extensive curriculum guides and, most importantly, spend some time with their amazing students. The reward of putting out this guide each year is having the opportunity to do just that. We are continually awed by the students we meet, the administrators and faculty we encounter, the programs we visit. We know you will be too.

Contents Editorial

School Survival Guide Whether your student is a lower, middle or upper schooler, make sure to have these back-to-school essentials for the school year.

Beyond the Basics Schools offer new programs and partnerships in and outside the classroom to prepare students for the 21st century.

Teens in the Trenches Social media, academic pressure and extracurricular demands weigh heavily on our teens. Experts share how to manage expectations.

Preparing Preschoolers With Play Preschool directors break down what the youngest learners need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.

Class Notes The spirit and tradition of the independent school rivalries live on.

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Influencers: Teachers and Administrators School Spirit Program Profiles Independent School Directory

Letter from the Publisher THANK YOU for reading the Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

From the start of Baltimore Fishbowl in 2011, we have covered the private schools. They are part of the rich fabric of the city, contributing leaders (Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi graduated from the Institute of Notre Dame, to name just one), instilling values, and giving children opportunities to learn and grow.

Baltimore Fishbowl launched to report stories not covered by other sources. Nearly a decade into our work, we hold a unique place in the media landscape. We are the only local digital news website to offer a mix of news about politics, schools, business and real estate along with food and music news, theater reviews, events, creative non-fiction and more. Our goal is to show Baltimore’s troubles as well as its triumphs, to present the city as something

ORTHOPAEDIC AFTER HOURS CARE

more than one-dimensional. Baltimore, with its rich culture, distinctive character and engaging authenticity, has a personality like no other. We think it’s important to bring that to our readers. Baltimore’s stories speak for themselves. If you’re a regular reader of Baltimore Fishbowl, thank you. If not, visit our website at baltimorefishbowl.com to learn more. If you find value in what we offer, please consider becoming a member. Also this year, we will host our first event (go to the website to learn more), and we hope you will join us. We want to meet you, and we want to hear your thoughts.

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Influencers Passionate educators, innovative teachers and beloved mentors: Meet the men and women shaping today’s local independent schools.

influencers What drew you to education? After college, I pursued my dream of being a writer and worked as a journalist at Inside Lacrosse magazine, eventually serving as managing editor. I had what I thought was my dream job, but something was missing. I was a volunteer lacrosse coach after graduating from college and realized that working with young people always gave me satisfaction. This realization led me back to Boys’ Latin. I stayed connected to my teachers and, with their encouragement, I took an intern role 19 years ago, and the rest is history.

>>R. Brandon Mollett

Head of Middle School • The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

The journey that led Boys’ Latin (BL) Middle School Head

Brandon Mollett back to his alma mater began after his graduation from Middlebury College and a stint as a journalist. Nineteen years ago, the 1994 graduate returned to Boys’ Latin, where he has served as an administrator, teacher and coach.

What do you like about your current school? I am deeply tied to Boys’ Latin. My dad, my brother and I are all alums. Every day, I have the privilege to work with, to learn from and to mentor middle school boys. What I value most about Boys’ Latin is that the well-being of the individual student, family and faculty always comes first. What do you hope to achieve in your role? My goal is for each student to have an experience at Boys’ Latin in which he feels valued, cared for and confident. To create an environment where boys challenge themselves academically and personally — safe in the knowledge that they are supported by their teachers and classmates.

What drew you to education? A number of things, including the opportunity to transform lives. I don’t know any other vocation that offers you the chance to make a profound difference in young people’s lives. As the daughter of a first-generation successful career woman, I know the value of education, scholarship and tenacity. What do you like about your current school? Everything! A campus that embraces the outdoors, an iconic historical building — the Castle — and state-of-the-art innovation, tech and theater spaces; it is a jewel of a campus.

>>Tracey H. Ford

President • Maryvale Preparatory School

For seven years, Tracey H. Ford has served as president

of Maryvale Preparatory School. Her tenure is punctuated by enviable growth in enrollment, giving and brand recognition. Her prior experience as senior director of development for Towson University has served her well in her current role. Recognized in 2015 by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Ford is a role model and leader for girls.

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In addition, its feel is unique. It’s truly a personalized experience for each girl and a place where ideas and change are encouraged. What do you hope to achieve in your role? In today’s world, I am hoping to make Maryvale counter-cultural. Everything we do is under the umbrella of the Maryvale Way, an intentional commitment, founded on the tenets of respect, dignity and diversity, to keep our community focused on our mission and values. Every day our girls are challenged to question and ensure that their decisions and interactions are consistent with the Maryvale Way. We also want our girls to use the Maryvale Way as the foundation for their lives.

What drew you to education? As the son of working-class parents who didn’t finish high school, education has opened every door for me. I believe in its value not only for the opportunities it creates, but also because the process of learning is joyful. Learning makes you a more complete person. I like being part of a profession that can help people love learning and use what they learn to do the greatest possible amount of good.

>>Kevin J. Costa, Ph.D.

Director of Innovation & Learning • McDonogh School

For 25 years, Kevin J. Costa has been a successful teacher

and administrator in education, currently serving as the director of innovation and learning at McDonogh School, where he oversees strategic planning, faculty professional development and institutional innovation.

What do you like about your current school? McDonogh School believes that education should be transformational. The school celebrates all students and helps them to discover and develop their unique abilities. I have reinvented myself and my career many times. McDonogh encourages everyone to continually learn and discover his or her purpose. What do you hope to achieve in your role? As one of the core designers of LifeReady, McDonogh’s academic strategic plan, I have led the school in implementing this plan that helps prepare students for the future by teaching them to communicate well, ask questions and solve problems individually and collaboratively, and adapt, lead and think for communities global and local. I hope that, over the course of my career, I’m able to work with my talented, dedicated colleagues to enhance LifeReady and further enrich the lives of McDonogh students. To me, this would constitute a life of real purpose and meaning.

What drew you to education? What drew me to education was really curiosity and the life of the mind. I began my career working in college admissions and fell in love with the Great Books Program at St. John’s College in Annapolis. As I continued my own studies, I decided to stay in education because of my interest in the discipline of psychology, the world, and how education prepares young people to be good citizens. What do you like about your current school? What I love about Mercy is the mission! The approach of the Sisters of Mercy is the foundation of our mission and our mission reflects their work:

>>Jeanne Blakeslee Principal • Mercy High School

Mercy Principal Jeanne Blakeslee is an accomplished

academic leader with a special gift for sparking a lifelong love of learning in girls. As a nationally recognized teacher of AP Psychology, she is involved in just about every aspect of school life, ensuring that Mercy girls and their parents know her as a trusted teacher, mentor and friend.

Insistence upon excellence and giving whatever you’re doing your whole heart; hospitality and a deep respect of everyone you meet; resourcefulness and diversity. What do you hope to achieve in your role? I want Mercy to be the best it can be. To do that, the path we have chosen to take at Mercy was to become an International Baccalaureate World School, which fits so well with our mission. Our next step is to explore the IB Diploma Programme, the most rigorous academic program available to students worldwide.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

influencers immersion program, integrated a STREAM curriculum, re-opened a tuition-free preschool, and led the school’s accreditation effort. In addition, she has served as a team mentor and presenter for the University of Notre Dame’s Latino Enrollment Institute. What drew you to education? My mother and aunts were educators. I admired their passion to better the lives of all students. I was taught from an early age that education was the great equalizer. Some students have great aptitude and a wealth of experience to draw on, other students learn through embracing every opportunity to learn in the classroom.

>>Joanne Jones

Principal and Executive Director of Academics Notre Dame Preparatory School

Joanne Jones brings 30-plus years of teaching,

administration and leadership experience to her new job. The Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate served as principal and director of development at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Holland, Michigan. There, she instituted a Spanish

What do you like about your current school? The community and the mission: “Where girls become women who transform the world.” Everyone who is a part of Notre Dame Preparatory (NDP) feels fortunate to be a part of the community and shares a commitment to personal and professional excellence. What do you hope to achieve in your role? As the principal/executive director of academics, my primary goal is to support the academic life of our faculty and students. NDP has a long-standing tradition of excellence in education. I am committed to drawing on our strengths and ensuring that we keep our eye on our mission and strategic vision and continuously support the professional development of our faculty and staff.

What drew you to education? As a boy, I saw my fifth-grade teacher in the window of his house across the street grading papers late into the evening. I thought, “what a lucky guy, reading all of those stories we were writing today at school!” I genuinely feel the same joy every day. I became a teacher because I also felt that students and parents need to feel that joy.

>>Dr. Ian Clark

Lower School Head • St. James Academy

St. James Academy’s new lower school head, Dr.

lan Clark, arrives on campus with extensive experience and a passport full of international credentials. Most recently, the U.K.born educator served as the lower school head at San Roberto International School in Monterrey, Mexico.

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What do you like about your current school? When I saw the job posting, read more about St. James Academy and visited over winter break, I felt it would be a great fit for my family and me. I also noticed how focused the faculty are on the kids, and I saw children who were engaged in learning and eager to share with me what they were doing. The way the school differentiates its teaching to allow the children to access the curriculum is very impressive, and I could see that the students were attaining high levels of academic achievement. What do you hope to achieve in your new role? As with any school, there is a special culture that needs to be supported, and maintaining it will be a priority. I am excited to develop the strengths of the school. I hope to make the school a place where all students feel appreciated in their journey.

What drew you to education? In graduate school, I took a campus job overseeing an undergraduate residential building. I realized how important co-curricular education is to augment students’ formal classroom learning. I then entered a decades-long career in college administration. What do you like about your current school? From the first moment I drove onto the campus of The St. Paul’s Schools, I felt something special. The physical campus felt like a college, with its beautiful buildings and landscaping. Then I met the people and it got even better. There’s an unmatched warmth to the St. Paul’s community.

>>Jeff Huang, Ph.D.

President • The St. Paul’s Schools

This summer, Jeff Huang assumed the newly created role

of president of The St. Paul’s Schools, uniting the boys’ and girls’ schools and the co-ed Pre and Lower School under one umbrella. The former vice president of Claremont McKenna College brings a breadth of experience to his new job, where he will provide oversight and vision for the schools’ unification.

What do you hope to achieve in your new role? The first step is to stand back and look at the entire curriculum, from preschool through grade 12, and ask, “What is the very best we can reasonably do for our students?” We will challenge and liberate our faculty to collaborate and design the best program they can. We will ensure smooth transitions between grades and continue to refine our unique gender model, where boys and girls learn separately and together. We will build transformative new spaces that inspire our students to innovate, create and collaborate. Moreover, I intend to build new bridges between St. Paul’s and the world beyond.

What drew you to education? Although the start of my career in education was incidental, sticking with it for 30 years was a highly intentional choice. Born and raised in a country torn apart by regional conflicts and civil strife, I learned firsthand about the damage a lack of good education can cause. Working with principled educators to develop and implement educational programs with much higher goals than just getting kids to college was a most rewarding career option for me. Through attending and leading workshops in over 20 countries, I worked with diverse groups of students, educators and parents who shared a common vision of a better world led by thoughtful, reflective and grounded young individuals.

>>Ghada Jaber

Academic Dean • St. Timothy’s School

Since 2008, Ghada Jaber has served the St. Timothy’s School community in many capacities — as a mathematics department chair and International Baccalaureate (IB) math teacher, academic dean and IB coordinator, and even a current parent. She brings a rich and unique background to these roles, having been born and educated in Beirut.

What do you like about your current school? St. Timothy’s School is a school with unique character, helping girls develop skills for lifelong success. Guided by the school motto of Truth Without Fear, students are taught under the rigorous International Baccalaureate program, which adds equity, reliability, validity and a globally respected education to the school’s curriculum. What do you hope to achieve through your role? Our hope is that [our graduates] see the value of immersing themselves joyfully in the fun traditions as well as local and global experiences St. Timothy’s provides, while working tenaciously to meet rigorous academic, athletic and service requirements.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

influencers of the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, Conley will uphold the school’s mission of academic excellence rooted in faith and family. What drew you to education? I wanted to nurture children’s natural curiosity by actively engaging them in the process of their own learning. School should be a dynamic, not passive, experience that leads to knowledge and understanding of the world and self.

>>K. Marguerite Conley Principal • Trinity School

As a 30-year educator, K. Marguerite Conley has

embodied strong leadership, a commitment to academic excellence and a dedication to faith-centered learning. Her experiences poise her to assume the role of Trinity School’s new principal. A Catholic University graduate and 2006 recipient

What do you like about your current school? Initially, I was captivated by the picturesque 48-acre campus. But once on campus, the living, breathing mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur spoke to my heart. Respecting the dignity of each child, Trinity faculty and staff actively engage students in their own learning, nurturing happiness and success. What do you hope to achieve in your role? Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and guided by their mission, I want to build on Trinity’s firm foundation to ensure its vibrant future. I am eager to explore opportunities of growth in the area of school advancement and look forward to working with the Board, faculty, staff and parents.

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Institute of Notre Dame

Christine Szala, Head of School A passionate advocate of all-girls education, Christine Szala was drawn to the Institute of Notre Dame (IND) for its legacy of nurturing girls with potential into young women of purpose. As head of school, she is forging important partnerships among Baltimore’s business and civic communities, identifying key sources of new funding, and is working in concert with the Board of Trustees to develop a strategic plan to guide IND into its third century. What drew you to education? The growth. Learning happens in so many moments in a school day: in class, on the athletic field or theater stage, during a service project, etc. Witnessing our girls walk through the doors of IND as freshmen, ultimately graduating as strong, confident young women — it’s such a blessing. What do you like about your current school? The enduring tradition of empowering girls through a Catholic-based education. IND has been a pillar of Baltimore for 172 years, and in return, our city opens its arms to help give our girls the kind of unique, stimulating education that only a big city can provide. The result? IND girls are driven, mindful, compassionate and, as we like to say, “IND Fierce.” What do you hope to achieve in your role? IND has always been a magnet for suburban students looking for a vibrant high school experience, but there are so many talented girls right here in Baltimore City for whom an IND education would be transformational. Making IND more accessible to deserving students is a primary goal. Our city needs it.

Kathy Cullen, Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations Kathy Cullen’s deep experience in guiding the strategic, fiscal and operational aspects of organizations has taken her from the executive suite at PricewaterhouseCoopers to the head seat in the Finance Office of the Institute of Notre Dame. She is passionate about the role of education in shaping the character and minds of young people, and the responsibility of educational institutions to all the communities they serve. In just two years, Cullen’s effect on IND has been profound, including important advances to two of the school’s proudest programs — its technology and security initiatives.

What drew you to education? The desire to use my talents to ensure that a quality, meaningful education is available to all our children. What do you like about your current school? IND has such a distinguished track record of educating women leaders — from innovators in Congress, to trailblazers in the military, to the many IND graduates who improve the lives of people around them every day. I see IND making an enormous difference in the lives of young women who will one day be the leaders of their communities, the nation and possibly the world. What do you hope to achieve in your role? I am committed to promoting the mission and the vision of the school. In my role, that means prudently managing current resources and helping to secure additional resources to provide for IND’s long-term sustainability and equal educational opportunities.

Lisa Wetzel, Assistant Head of School for Academics IND’s mission statement is built on the concept of “joyful learners”. Lisa Wetzel epitomizes that phrase, her omnipresent smile manifesting a deep love of education. In just her second year at IND, she has spearheaded significant curriculum enhancements, including a new computer science program, an expanded fine arts program, and a new dualenrollment arrangement with Notre Dame of Maryland University, where students can earn college credit while taking IND classes. What drew you to education? Having spent the first part of my career in the pharmaceutical industry, stepping into the field of education allowed me to merge my background in science and lifelong love of learning into what has ultimately become my dream job. What do you like about your current school? I work with a wonderfully unique and bright group of students — and a deeply dedicated faculty and staff — who support one another like family. You can feel the history and tradition of IND the moment you walk through the front doors; it is a privilege to be here. What do you hope to achieve in your role? I hope to inspire our students to work to their full potential while providing them experiences and opportunities not offered at other schools. I hope to nurture “joyful learners” who desire to make the world a more kind and just place. I am committed to continuing the IND tradition of strong college preparatory academics, while also exploring new ways to educate the whole person for success in today’s world.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

Cool school stuff to keep students calm, confident and ready for anything all year long.

School

Survival Guide

Wooden apple for the teacher, The Store Ltd., The Village of Cross Keys Camouflage lunch box, Becket Hitch, Green Spring Station

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Lower School

Umbrella, The Pied Piper, The Village of Cross Keys

Fleece vest, Wee Chic, Green Spring Station

Mittens, Wee Chic, Green Spring Station

Marimekko backpack, The Store Ltd., The Village of Cross Keys; recorder, The Store Ltd., The Village of Cross Keys

Raincoat, The Pied Piper, The Village of Cross Keys Hunter rain boots, Nordstrom, Towson Town Center

Dinosaur sweatshirt, Wee Chic, Green Spring Station

Colored pencils, The Store Ltd., The Village of Cross Keys

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

Middle School Highlighters, The Store Ltd., The Village of Cross Keys

Maggie Stern Stitches Socks, Ma Petite Shoe, Hampden Vineyard Vines belt, Tried But True Consignment, Cockeysville

Sperry topsiders, Towson Bootery, The Shops at Kenilworth

Fjallraven Kanken backpack, Quiet Storm, The Shops at Kenilworth; reusable snack bag, Becket Hitch, Green Spring Station Corkcicle waterbottles, Becket Hitch, Green Spring Station

Lilly Pulitzer Notebook, Lilly Pulitzer Store, Towson Town Center Skull cap, Wee Chic, Green Spring Station

Patagonia fleece jacket, REI, Timonium

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Upper School Navy blazer, Tried But True Consignment, Cockeysville

AirPods, Apple Store, Towson Town Center

iPhone, Apple Store, Towson Town Center

Blue light computer glasses, Warby Parker, Harbor East Herschel backpack and Johnnie-O trucker hat, Quiet Storm, The Shops at Kenilworth

Smathers & Branson Maryland flag key fob, Becket Hitch, Green Spring Station

Slimeyard Slimes neckties, online at slimeyardslimes.com

Herschel card holder, Quiet Storm, The Shops at Kenilworth

A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools You want the best for your child. That includes the best education. Give your child an opportunity to reach their intellectual, physical, social and moral potential by enrolling them in a Catholic elementary, middle or high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Almost 25,000 students attend a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which include 45 elementary and middle schools and 19 high schools located in Baltimore City, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Washington counties. Archdiocese of Baltimore schools have a lot to offer. Here’s what sets them apart from other schools. Academic Excellence

Excellence in college, and in life, starts with excellence in the classroom. Archdiocese of Baltimore students consistently score above state and national averages on standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. Students receive a balanced curriculum that includes the basics as well as music and arts, foreign language, science, math, technology, and Catholic faith. Twenty-five Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have received the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award by the U.S. Department of Education—the highest academic honor awarded by the U.S. government.

Technology in the Classroom

Students use “real world” technology in the classroom: iPads, Google Chromebooks and other tools to assist learning.

Athletic Programs

Starting in elementary school, students have the opportunity to participate in soccer, basketball, cross-country and other activities. In middle and high school, the options extend to sports such as lacrosse, rowing, baseball, football, wrestling and more. Many students receive scholarships to play at the college level.

Service

Community service is a big part of Catholic school student life. Students learn how to put others first and see how their actions can contribute to the common good of the wider community. Catholic school students from preschool to 12th grade participate in service projects throughout the year. Projects range from collecting items for food pantries and volunteering at senior centers to helping to build homes for people in developing countries.

Students collaborate, communicate, problem-solve, ask questions, research and create projects, all with new technology. Technology isn’t viewed as just an add-on, but instead as integral to student learning.

Catholic Faith and Values

Safe, Nurturing Learning

Catholic schools emphasize moral development. They prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders, emphasizing the importance of community service. Catholic schools teach respect of self and others.

Catholic schools have a long history of educating children of all religious backgrounds. About 30 percent of the student body is comprised of children from non-Catholic families. Surveys have shown that families from all faiths appreciate the emphasis on prayer, morals and values.

Dedicated Faculty and Staff

Signature Programs

Teachers in area Catholic schools do more than teach. They take time to get to know their students and figure out how they learn best. Their attention allows students’ best selves to come forth. Teachers instill a positive learning environment that helps kids get excited about school.

Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities

In addition to regular studies, students have a chance to participate in dozens of outside activities, including marching band, performing arts, environmental studies and robotics, to name a few of the many activities students can explore. If you pay attention to social media, you may have seen and heard the Cardinal Shehan Catholic School choir’s rendition of “Rise Up,” the hit song by Andra Day. Their performance went viral, with over 60 million views, earning the choir an appearance on “Good Morning America!” 16 baltimorefishbowl.com

Although Catholic identity is a part of the school experience, Archdiocese of Baltimore schools welcome children from all faiths.

Archdiocese of Baltimore schools offer educational programs to meet the needs of its diverse community. Signature programs vary from school to school. For example, Archbishop Borders School in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore offers a dual language Spanish immersion program that starts as early as preschool. St. Pius X School in Rodgers Forge just north of Baltimore and close to Towson, is currently the only Catholic Montessori school in Maryland. St. Francis of Assisi School, a prek-8th grade school in northeast Baltimore, became the first nonpublic school in Baltimore to become an International Baccalaureate World School. The program develops middle school students into internationally minded leaders.

STEM Focus

All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have a STEM-focused curriculum. Many schools have Makerspace, STEM Labs or Innovation Labs to enhance the STEM curriculum. St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen and Resurrection-St. Paul School in Ellicott City both received STEM certifications from AdvancedEd, an international accrediting organization.

Green Schools

Eighteen schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have received recognition by the State of Maryland as Green Schools from the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education. Green schools encourage students to think about environmental impact and to make sustainable choices in terms of water conservation, energy conservation, solid waste reduction and habitat restoration

Learning Difference Programs

Many Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore offer programs for students with learning differences. The PRIDE (Pupils Receiving Inclusive Diversified Education) program is the signature learning difference program of the Archdiocese, and is offered at St. Michel-St. Clement School in Overlea, St. Mark in Catonsville and St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick. PRIDE is an innovative program designed to meet the unique learning needs of k-8th students. Experienced special education teachers use customized programs, smaller class sizes and a modified Language Arts and/or Math curriculum to help students achieve their greatest learning potential.

Ready to learn more about Archdiocese of Baltimore’s standout schools? Visit Archbalt.org/schools to find a school near you.

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Monsignor Slade, Glen Burnie St. John, Westminster

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Shehan, Northeast Baltimore St. Cardinal John, Westminster

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St. Joseph, Fullerton Cardinal Shehan, Northeast Baltimore

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Conception, Towson St. Immaculate Joseph, Fullerton

6 - 8:05 p.m. p.m. 6 - 8:05

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Perry Hall Middle

6 - 8 p.m.

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Immaculate Conception, Towson

October 8

Perry Hall Middle

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School of the Incarnation, Gambrills

October 14

Resurrection-St. Paul, Ellicott City

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Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke, Dundalk St. Margaret, Bel Air

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Catonsville Middle St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park

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St. St. Margaret, Bel Air Mark, Catonsville

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School of the Incarnation, Gambrills

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Resurrection-St. Paul, Ellicott City

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Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke, Dundalk

6 - 8:05 p.m.

Catonsville Middle

6 - 8 p.m.

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6 - 8:05 p.m. 6 - 8:05 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park

O P E N

October 24

St. Mark, Catonsville

SCHOOL

@ArchBaltSchools Maryvale Preparatory School (G)

O P E N

6 - 8:05 p.m.

H O U S E S

6 - 8:05 p.m.

D AT E

TIME

4 & November H October O U S E5 S

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

SCHOOL

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (C)

October 8

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Maryvale Preparatory School (G)

Notre Dame Preparatory School (G)

October 12

8:30a.m. - 12 p.m.

Bishop Walsh School

October 4 & November 5

October 15

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Catholic High School of Baltimore (G)

October 19

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

D AT E

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (C)

TIME

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

October 8

Notre Dame Preparatory School (G) Mercy High School (G)

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

October1912 October

8:30a.m. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.- 12 p.m.

A R C H D I O C E S E O F B A LT I M O R E

BishopLoyola WalshBlakefield School (B)

October20 15 October

C A T H O L I C

The Catholic HighCurley School of Baltimore Archbishop High School (B) (G)

H I G H

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

S C H O O L

October26 19& 27 October

9 a.m. 12 p.m. G U 10Ia.m. D- 1E2 -p.m.

A R C H D I O C E S E O F B A LT I M O R E

Saint Joseph MercyMount High School (G) High School (B)

High School (C) LoyolaArchbishop Blakefield Spalding (B)

C A T H O L I C Institute of Notre Dame (G)

Saint Frances Academy (C) (B) Archbishop Curley High School

Mount Saint Joseph High School (B) The John Carroll School (C)

Archbishop Spalding High School (C)

Calvert Hall College High School (B)

Saint Frances Academy (C)

Mount de Sales Academy (G)

Institute of Notre Dame (G)

Saint John’s Catholic Prep (C)

October October2719

11 a.m. 2 p.m. 10 -a.m. - 1 p.m.

October October2720

2H0I 1G8H- 2S 0C 1H 9O November 1 & 27 October 26 November 2

October 27

12 - 2:30 p.m.- 1 p.m. 10 a.m.

O L

G 11Ua.m.10I-a.m. D- 1E2 p.m. 2 p.m.

CalvertCristo Hall Rey College (B) JesuitHigh High School School (C) MountSt. deMaria SalesGoretti Academy High (G) School (C)

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

November 2

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

November 3

12 - 3 p.m.

November 3

12 - 3 p.m.

November 3

1 - 3 p.m.

November 3

2 - 5 p.m.

November103 November

3 p.m. 12:3012- 3 p.m.

October 27

2018-2019

The John Carroll School (C) St. Mary’s High School (C)

4 - 7 p.m.

November 1

November 2 November 2

November9 3 November

12 - 2:30 p.m. 4 - 7 p.m. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

- 3 p.m. 12 - 312p.m.

Saint John’s Catholic PrepSCHOOLS (C) November (C) CO-ED HIGH | (B) BOYS HIGH SCHOOLS | (G) GIRLS HIGH 3SCHOOLS

1 - 3 p.m.

St. Mary’s High School (C)

November 3

2 - 5 p.m.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (C)

November 9

12 - 3 p.m.

St. Maria Goretti High School (C)

November 10

12:30 - 3 p.m.

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St. Paul’s IB Program Photo by Grant Gibson

Beyond the Basics Growing the skills, ideas and talents students will need to face the 21st century By Karen Nitkin and David Nitkin

aylor Classen, a senior at Gilman School, is the designated hustler on his team, the one who pitches the idea to potential investors. During the school’s two-day entrepreneurial Startup Experience last winter, Classen and three classmates came up with the idea of creating a virtual-reality training program for new workers in fast food

restaurants. “The turnover rate is about 300 percent,” Classen says. “Training costs eclipse any other costs.” Gilman tapped Startup Experience five years ago to guide upperclassmen through the process of finding a market need, developing a product to fill it, and creating a strategy for bringing the product to market.

The Startup Experience is just one example of the academic changes on the rise in schools throughout the region. From Gilman to Garrison Forest, St. Paul’s to the Whittle School, students, parents and administrations are embracing a focus on problem solving, career preparation and exploration that supplements more traditional

classroom learning and readies young people for a fast-changing world where the careers of tomorrow are unimaginable today. This reality brings fresh relevance to partnerships such as the one Garrison Forest School has with Johns Hopkins University, which pairs students with graduate or postdoctoral candidates who introduce them to their research and give them real work in the lab. Roland Park Country School has a robust new summer internship program. The St. Paul’s Schools launched an International Baccalaureate curriculum, and combined it with global travel experiences. Whittle’s global curriculum plunges students into in-depth projects based on their interests, both inside the school and in their community. All these programs have something in common: they get students out of the classroom and into a rapidly changing world. The students who are in middle and high school now face a work world unlike any seen before. Empathy — the ability to understand each other and to work together — will be more important than ever. Upper School students at St. Paul’s School receive an International Baccalaureate curriculum that provides a global perspective. “The big picture here is to get them to be thinking and understanding … what they know and understand and what they live is not necessarily shared globally,” says David Faus, headmaster. The school, which dates to 1849, adopted the two-year international program in 2007. Faus adds, “What differs is that you have kids involved in this curriculum around the world and the curriculum has to speak to them. It’s not Western-focused; it has a much broader global

From left: Ziqian T., Haley N., Ge S. and Amanda M. present their semester’s research work to their faculty and graduate student mentors as part of Garrison Forest School’s 14-year partnership with Johns Hopkins University.

understanding. I think it pushes them to think outside their own perspective.” The school pairs the curriculum with an active global exchange program that sends students to Germany, Japan, South Africa and other countries, where they usually live with a host family. One group, he says, was able to participate in a Model United Nations while in Johannesburg. “Our goal is for every graduate to have an international experience,” he explains. • • • ST. TIMOTHY’S SCHOOL, which serves 200 young women in grades 9 through 12, also offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. That means the entire curriculum is designed around acquiring skills that are useful outside the classroom, with an overall focus on inquiry learning, says Ghada Jaber, St. Timothy’s academic dean and IB coordinator. “It’s not a track. All of our students do it,” explains Jaber, adding that every unit links to global issues, challenges and history. The holistic and individualized nature of the IB program lends itself

to exploration of topics that expand the curriculum — with students embracing real-world topics with practical applications. For example, Ronelle Williams, a 2019 graduate, was curious about the climate effects of storm surges and rising sea levels on coastal cities — like New Orleans, where her sister once lived. She turned the question into a math research topic, using trigonometric models to build predictions on what a storm surge in 2050 would mean for the city of Boston. “Math in general is a very hard subject for me,” Williams says. “Being able to apply a STEMrelated concept to the human aspect of the environment made it interesting. It was never boring.” Another classmate, Meg Bowen, designed and printed an artificial arm in the school’s Innovation Lab. Her goal was to explore cheaper and more accessible solutions in the medical field. Students at St. Timothy’s also work on developing informationsorting skills, learning where data and facts are coming from, and whether you can trust them. That type of source evaluation is built into students’ coursework.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

“This is definitely a life skill,” Jaber says. • • • A CENTERPIECE of the curriculum at Whittle School and Studios, opening its Washington, D.C. campus this fall, is once-aweek Expedition Days. Students alternate between “inward” days that focus on school community and personal growth, and “outward” days that send students into the city to cultivate knowledge and skills. “Inward” days include Center for Excellence projects, when students work with mentors on long-term projects in an area of interest to them. The work culminates with a portfolio that showcases verbal, written and multimedia skills. “Outward” days center on City Experience, an interdisciplinary opportunity to participate in internships or create field studies in cooperation with local cultural and government organizations. • • • AT GILMAN’S Startup Experience, alums serve as mentors, sometimes even after the program ends. “The alums are really good,” Classen says. “They’re all entrepreneurs themselves. They work with us one on one, and want to understand our thinking process. They’re very honest with us if they think something won’t work.” The experience ends with each team making its pitch, similar to the television show Shark Tank. “The coolest thing was afterwards, some of the alums hooked us up with a patent attorney,” Classen says. Three years after its inception, the school added a six-month Entrepreneurship class, giving students a more in-depth experience

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of creating a product and market plan. About 30 students are accepted into the elective, says Nathanial Badder, director of alumni relations and outreach. Each team of four is teamed with one or two alumni mentors. “We try to find alums who are local and entrepreneurial,” says Badder, who will teach the Entrepreneur class. “This is a way to see that you can create something from nothing,” says Badder. “You are thinking a little outside the box. You can use it no matter what you end up doing.” • • • PREPARING STUDENTS for the workforce of the future also means transcending the gender barriers that still keep women out of engineering and other science and technology fields. A partnership between the Garrison Forest School and Johns Hopkins University gives high school students at the girls’ school opportunities to explore STEM careers by working in Johns Hopkins labs. “Our research showed that women do well when they are mentored in STEM fields and when they have an opportunity to have hands-on experiences that expose them to the way these disciplines work,” says Andrea Perry, director of the James Center and dean of Special Programs at Garrison Forest. Perry, who worked at Johns Hopkins University before joining Garrison Forest, created the partnership in 2005. “There was a lot of conversation in the national press about the dearth of Americans entering STEM fields and particularly the underrepresentation of women,” she says. Garrison Forest juniors and seniors apply to be in the program,

which counts as a science elective. If chosen, they are paired with a graduate or postdoctoral student who introduces them to the work of the lab and gives them substantive work. The students travel together by bus, twice a week for a semester. “Our primary partner is the School of Engineering and we’re eager to keep that in the forefront because students often know the least about engineering,” Perry says, adding that students can also work in labs in the Schools of Medicine, Public Health or Arts and Sciences. “We’re not just focusing on the topic area. We’re focusing on helping students develop the habits of mind that are required to discover new knowledge. They’re learning an enormous amount about patience, about how failure can be valuable. They’re learning how to collaborate, how to be meticulous, how to document what they’re learning. All of these are things they can take with them no matter what they do,” adds Perry. That experience of learning how to work together is why Roland Park Country School launched its summer internship program in 2017, putting rising seniors in real-world professional settings. In its first two summers, the program placed 56 students in venues like the Brown Advisory offices, the coronary care unit of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the studios of WBAL-TV and research labs of the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) in Baltimore. “This program speaks to our vision for an RPCS education that connects classrooms to communities and equips our students with the future-directed skills that enable their success here at RPCS — and beyond into their professional journeys,” notes the school.

School Spirit Today’s independent schools are characterized by their student leaders. from the gifted mathematician to the aspiring thespian, the vocal activist to the quiet role model, Meet the boys and girls who lead area independent schools and carry forth their missions.

school spirit The Bryn Mawr School, Gilman School, Roland Park Country School

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As Bryn Mawr, Gilman and Roland Park Country School seniors Sona, Paul and Lauren look toward the new school year, they share a collective energy that will inform their roles as school presidents and set the tone for the year. Elected by their respective student bodies, each brings a leadership style that captures the collaborative spirit of the tri-school community. United by the bridges that span Roland Avenue and Northern Parkway, Bryn Mawr, Gilman and Roland Park Country School (RPCS) offer a unique single-sex setting with co-ed opportunities. On each campus, students appreciate the benefits of single-sex education, including school-wide traditions and individual initiatives. However, the more than 150 Upper School course offerings make the tri-school community unique and provide shared experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. For 11 years, Paul has called Gilman home. As a senior leader, he is dedicating himself to “making it the best year we’ve had at Gilman School in the last decade.” His focus is school spirit and connectivity and his inspiration is his fellow students. Paul explains, “Gilman provides every opportunity imaginable to set yourself apart as somebody who sets the standard and leads the charge in whatever they do.” For Paul, taking advantage of these opportunities is where leadership is born and what makes Gilman so special. Lauren believes that “the best way to learn leadership is to get involved and try new things.” Having come to RPCS as a sophomore, Lauren embodies this idea. She urges, “Get involved. Reach out to people. Be the best version of yourself that you can be.” This positive outlook will inspire her role as school president. She is willing to face challenges head on and work through whatever curve balls come her way. By that, Lauren leads by example, showing that at RPCS, anything is possible. Sona has similarly learned by example, calling on upperclassmen and teachers as role models. She cites her math teacher, Ms. Miyamoto, as one such role model. Sona explains, “She’s patient and kind, but also always effectively and efficiently makes sure we understand the topics at hand.” This sort of leadership speaks to Sona, who looks forward to working with the members of Bryn Mawr’s student government association. “The organization is so much more than just me at the helm,” she explains. At Bryn Mawr, the core of leadership is making sure everyone’s voice is heard. For Sona, that means “authentically and accurately representing the student body” as both a school leader and a role model. Spirit, energy, collaboration and involvement. These ideas both define leadership for the tri-schools and underline their shared missions. Three schools with three individual but common missions to inspire leaders and create leadership opportunities beyond high school.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school spirit

The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland At Boys’ Latin School of Maryland, student leaders walk

the halls in all shapes and sizes. They emerge in the classroom, on the athletic field, on stage and, most importantly, as those who serve as role models for their peers. Seniors Lowell and Braden embody this idea. While both serve as officers in clubs and organizations, it is their leadership in and out of the classroom that makes them stand out. Lowell, a Boys’ Latin “lifer,” is the Honor Board Chair and is a leader in the diversity club. His course load includes several AP classes, which he balances with his role as a midfielder on the varsity lacrosse team. His teammate, Braden, joined the Class of 2020 as a sixth grader. As the oldest of five brothers, Braden inherently understands what leadership means. He shows his school pride in

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his roles as student body president, student admission ambassador and member of the One Love Club, an organization dedicated to teaching students about healthy relationships. Together, Lowell and Braden represent the characteristics for which Boys’ Latin boys are known: well-rounded students who challenge themselves academically, contribute to the school community and, most importantly, know and support one another. Inspired by the school’s motto, which highlights courage, integrity and compassion, Boys’ Latin boys work together to achieve academic, athletic and extracurricular success. On campus, a palpable spirit of brotherhood resonates. Lowell and Braden recognize that this is what distinguishes their school and also what drives them to lead.

Garrison Forest School Since 1910, Garrison Forest has been educating girls and

young women. Within its 110-acre campus, the school endeavors each day to inspire its day and boarding students to lead and serve with lives of passion, purpose and joy. The preparation begins with encouraging students from kindergarten through 12th grade to find their voice and use it to create and make change. Girls become leaders, for one another and the future. In the process, they learn what lies at the heart of a Garrison Forest education: a lasting sense of friendship and community that unites students, faculty and administrators. Senior Ryleigh and junior Annie are teammates, friends and school leaders. Elected as the 2019-2020 co-spirit captain, Ryleigh embodies the enthusiasm that permeates Garrison Forest and the traditions that tie its rich history with its forward-facing curriculum. At all-school events, games and celebrations, Ryleigh will don her spirit tunic, decorated by generations of Garrison Forest spirit captains, to rally

school-wide pride. As a leader of the field hockey team, Ryleigh carries her devotion to the school onto the athletic field as well, encouraging other players to give their all and do their best. For her, Garrison Forest has been home for 13 years, and she looks to her senior year with mixed emotions. Like Ryleigh, Annie competes on the field hockey team and also plays lacrosse and squash, experiences that fuel her school pride. But it is the violence prevention non-profit One Love Foundation, focused on preventing domestic abuse, that inspires Annie’s quest for change. As a co-leader of the One Love Club, Annie increases awareness about relationship abuse and rallies support for this vital cause. She also shares the Garrison Forest experience with prospective families as a Grizzly Guide for the admissions office. At Garrison Forest, leaders wear many costumes and take on many roles — from spirit tunics to athletic gear, from vocal advocates to dedicated scholars, embracing each one and growing empowered to use their voices in meaningful ways.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school spirit McDonogh School Every day at McDonogh School, students are discovering

passions, developing LifeReady skills, and becoming people of strong character who will make a difference in the world. At the heart of the school’s vibrant 800-acre campus is the Rosenberg Campus Green, a popular spot where students of all ages congregate, collaborate and socialize. The space, recently the site for the Lower School math carnival and an all-school art pop-up day, is where a few students gathered to talk about their McDonogh experience.

a welcoming and inclusive community, she recently helped plan Diversity Week, an event that united various student-led diversity clubs and featured activities that encouraged self-discovery and offered opportunities for Upper Schoolers to share in and learn about the different experiences each student brings. As Maya looks toward college, she cannot help but compare each school she visits to McDonogh. For her, McDonogh is the measure against which nothing seems to compare.

Teddy, an eighth-grader, was still buzzing about the opportunity to play “Donkey” in the cross-divisional production of Shrek. The spring musical provided the perfect platform for the aspiring actor to stretch himself and get to know other Middle and Upper School students who were part of the cast and crew. He was thrilled with the support the show received from the entire community and his love for the school grew even greater from the experience.

Deni, a fifth-grader, agrees. In fact, she never wants to miss a day of school. A highlight of her fourth-grade year was the leadership and service group, an opportunity for her and her classmates to gain knowledge and skills essential to leading by example and becoming active participants in every aspect of their lives. Deni used what she learned in her role as a reading buddy and a bus buddy to younger students.

Maya, a senior who is very active in many aspects of school life, has made her mark at McDonogh as a leader of the D4M (Diversity for McDonogh) club. Drawing on the school’s commitment to be

Each of these students is discovering passions, developing talents and becoming LifeReady. And it is clear they are having fun and finding joy doing so. It’s no wonder they love McDonogh!

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Mercy High School With nearly 60 years of expertise educating girls,

Mercy High School works to cultivate compassion, confidence, inquisitiveness, spirituality, open-mindedness and more — the many qualities that make a Mercy Girl. With those touchstones, a Mercy Girl will successfully navigate the challenges and rewards of personal and professional opportunities available to women in today’s dynamic society. Kadey, Emily and Rashawna are well into their journeys from the uncertainty of freshman year to the strength and confidence that emerge in sophomore, junior and senior years. Like the inspirational lines in the entry hall, the pins on each girl’s blazer capture the spirit of Mercy and its unique mission of helping its students grow from Mercy Girls to Women of Mercy. Junior Kadey proudly wears her badge from Mercy’s highly selective Women in Medicine program in partnership with Mercy Medical Center. This year, Kadey will shadow a physician mentor, demonstrating her commitment to exploring the field of dermatology.

Sophomore Rashawna was recognized by her faculty advisor for the respect she shows for others and wears pins acknowledging scholastic achievement in algebra and science. She earned a position as a student ambassador and member of the pep squad, and radiated her school spirit and pride when cheering on her classmates and speaking to prospective families. Junior Emily proudly wears leadership pins representing her service on her class steering committee. A JV soccer player, enthusiastic thespian, and a recent participant in an international leadership conference for the global network of Mercy schools, Emily truly embodies the values signified by her “well-rounded” pin. She also shares the Mercy experience with her mother, two aunts, and a grandfather who coached the Mercy softball team. Being a Mercy Girl has always meant a commitment to spiritual growth, service to others, academic inquiry and pride in your school. Each of these accomplished girls reflects many aspects of this mission and the promise of its continuation in the future.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school spirit

St. James Academy Nestled in the bucolic countryside of Baltimore County, St. James Academy (SJA) offers a challenging curriculum in a nurturing environment that celebrates each student’s individual gifts and inspires all to become contributing members of their world. SJA provides a safe place for students to take risks, learn from mistakes and explore interests — all essential for building confidence. A student at SJA since kindergarten, Jackson serves on the school’s student council, participates in sports and is a member of the Destination Imagination team, a project-based innovation program. Jackson embodies the SJA mission of believing that we should “leave the world better than we found it.” He hopes to make his mark through his many contributions to the school community. Equally well-rounded, seventh-grader

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Ava is a fellow student council representative who contributes to the community as a compassionate peer and dependable teammate on the basketball team. Ava believes that leadership means “always trying to set a good example.” For Ava, listening is far more important than talking, and she always strives to be available and approachable. She and Jackson are visible role models for fourth-grader Sarah, who believes that strong leaders “demonstrate good examples for others, always have a positive attitude and always stand up for others.” Sarah aims to exhibit these principles every day and credits SJA for inspiring her creativity. SJA instills an “anything is possible” belief in its students, allowing Jackson to dream of a career in the performing arts, Ava to imagine owning a business and Sarah to follow her love of art. All of these aspirations are possible with an SJA education.

The St. Paul’s Schools At The St. Paul’s Schools, leadership comes in many forms, beginning in St. Paul’s Lower and Preschool. Fourthgrader Stella was elected to Student Council her first year as a St. Paul’s student. She earned the role because of her perpetual smile, her overwhelming kindness and her endless enthusiasm. Teachers call Stella an outstanding role model for her class. St. Paul’s School for Girls sophomore Skylar is a different kind of role model, a quiet leader with great influence among her peers. Administrators say, “When Skylar speaks, her classmates listen.” So, too, do her varsity basketball and track and field teammates, the prospective parents who have heard her as an admissions panelist, her fellow Black Awareness Club members, and the teachers who both respect and appreciate her impact

on the school community. Most recently, Skylar’s leadership and dedication as a scholar athlete earned her the Class of 1992 Scholarship. St. Paul’s School senior Logan leads in the Upper School through his passionate involvement across many areas of school life. From the Debate Club to theater productions, Logan has immersed himself in the extracurricular opportunities at St. Paul’s. Academically, he has distinguished himself as a winner of the 2018-19 French Prize and the Martin Tullai History Prize. He is also a fellow in the schools’ Price Eisenhower Civic Engagement Institute inaugural cohort. While each student represents a different aspect of leadership at The St. Paul’s Schools, collectively they validate the schools’ commitment to celebrating their students’ unique gifts.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school spirit

Waldorf School of Baltimore Through a rich balance of academics and the arts, children The life learning happens through multi-sensory activities both in and out of the classroom. In classes like woodshop and handwork, the school brings out the students’ diverse talents and interests and allows them to interact with and support one another.

As a member of the social action committee, Wynter knows these skills will translate well to high school, where she anticipates learning more about women in medicine. She is a role model for her younger brother, who loves music and playing basketball, areas where she excels. He also looks up to third-grader Van, who is excited to continue his love of nature studies with the third-grade farm trip, a Waldorf tradition.

Eighth-grader Wynter, for example, helps her brother Kevin, a firstgrader, and third-grader Van on their Afghan project. As they work together, the collaboration gives students the opportunity to model and learn leadership skills from one another. Because of this, Waldorf students feel comfortable taking risks, self-advocating and leading.

Van shared that his favorite Waldorf memory was tracking an animal through the snow. This moment evokes Waldorf’s mission to bring the outdoors into the classroom and incorporate it into everyday lessons. It also highlights the depth of a Waldorf education, which emphasizes holistic learning full of possibility.

at the Waldorf School learn life skills that begin the moment they enter school.

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Teens in the Trenches Being a teenager today is stressful. Just ask one.

By Sarah Achenbach

The

Pew Research Center asked thousands of teens last fall and learned that seven in 10 cite anxiety and depression as major concerns among their peers, higher than bullying and drugs and alcohol. This answer cuts across race, gender and socioeconomic lines for 13- to 17-year-olds in the United States. Increased anxiety in high school is leading to higher levels of anxiety for college students. A 2016 survey of undergraduates by the American College Health Association revealed that 62 percent reported “overwhelming anxiety,” up by 50 percent from a decade earlier. Keep in mind, though, that anxiety and stress aren’t necessarily bad. “We try very hard not to pathologize anxiety,” says Todd Peters, MD, medical director of child and adolescent services at Sheppard Pratt Health System. “It’s a natural response to a stressful situation.” Feeling anxious about a calculus test, big game or student government speech? Stress can be a good motivator and help teens push themselves to grow. If a teen is feeling anxious at a party where there is a lot drinking, that anxiety is a good signal to leave a potentially dangerous situation. “We work hard with teens and families to understand that anxiety can be normal,” Peters explains. “It’s when it starts to impact a person’s ability to function in multiple settings — home, school, sports — that we need to address it.” What are the hot buttons for stress among today’s teens? We asked the experts for advice on what to do about teen stress.

Overscheduling and Multitasking

“Kids are competing with more demands than any other generation before,” Peters says. “With technology, multitasking has become normalized, and for developing brains, that can be overwhelming.” For a generation seemingly born with smartphones in their hands — the iPhone made its debut in 2007, when today’s freshmen were still in diapers — the multitasking skills that come with being a digital native aren’t great for a teen’s mental

well-being. A typical homework scenario: While livestreaming something on Netflix, a high schooler jumps from textbook to Google searches, accompanied by the soundtrack of pinging from Snapchat and Instagram alerts, texts and direct messaging from friends. Multitasking isn’t the only culprit causing increased levels of anxiety. More afterschool activities than ever before, higher thresholds to get into club sports and college, and the urge to do more (especially for an anxiety-prone teen who is eager to please) have created the perfect storm. For girls, this can be especially harmful, warns Carolyn Parker, LCSW-C, director of counseling at the all-girls Roland Park Country School (RPCS). “Girls tend to internalize a bad grade as something wrong with them, while boys can brush it off as ‘I didn’t put in my best effort,’” she says. “We have different gender stereotypes.” In fact, according to Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of the New York Times bestseller Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls, girls and young women experience higher levels of anxiety than boys and young men — 31 percent vs. 13 percent — in areas including home life, school pressures, social anxiety with girls and boys, and their online lives. (The public is welcome to attend Damour’s free Robinson Health Colloquium at RPCS on February 12, 2020.) But the pressure to overschedule knows no gender. “Parents sometimes feel that if they are not maxing out what their child can do, their child will miss out,” Peters says. “I ask kids what their week looks like and what brings them joy.” He urges parents to ask their children if the schedule is working for them and give them ownership. “We are doing a bit of disservice in overmanaging our kids’ schedules and not allowing them to learn how to manage Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

awry,” explains Allee. She encourages parents to model good behavior online and make it clear to teens that they will be checking texts and social media accounts frequently. Parker recommends ramping back up on monitoring when teens get closer to college. “It’s hard to go backwards, but be upfront, not secretive, about monitoring the device,” she says. Remember when your child was in preschool and needed set boundaries? Teens, too, crave balance and protected time away from their screens. “Most kids struggle with it, though, but it’s a good battle to fight,” Allee says.

Sexuality their schedules,” he says. “Sometimes saying ‘no’ is the healthiest choice,” says Marie Allee, Ph.D., McDonogh School’s director of counseling and support services.

Phones and Social Media

Technology is an amazing thing. Parents and teens can reach each other at any time, and technology is actually helping to alleviate the stigma around anxiety and depression. Says Peters, “Anxiety is more of an internalized disorder, and because of social media, kids are more able to share their feelings with others.” But a lack of downtime away from screens can have negative effects. “For a lot of kids, screen time is connection, but the other side is what the constant stimulation is doing to them cognitively,” Allee says. “A lot of stimulation ups the stress levels.” Social media adds to the pressure. “Kids are confronted with images that there is a standard they are not living up to,” Allee explains. “We’re comparison-making animals, and those feelings of being less than or not being included hurt.” FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is real — and a real stressor — for teens. “It’s devastating to be told that there isn’t a party, then see it live-streamed on your phone,” says Parker. It’s not just peer “in-your-face” posts, either. Proud parents posting on Instagram about their daughter’s lacrosse goals or about their son’s scholarship to a top college can ramp up teens’ anxiety. “For high achievers, there is public pressure to be successful academically, and [with social media], kids’ expectations have gone

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The pressure for teens to have sex spans generations. Today’s teens, though, have digital tools that can turn sex into a huge stressor. At RPCS, Parker is upfront with students. “Kids are learning about sex from porn,” she says. “The average age of first exposure to porn is between 8 and 11 years old, and 90 percent of youth will be exposed to hard-core porn at some point.” There’s also anxiety around the pressure to send naked photos. “Girls are often asked to send pictures of themselves to boys,” Parker explains. “They’ll decline again and again, finally break down, send it, and then are shamed for that decision. Yet, girls often receive unsolicited photos from boys with no judgment.” It’s a dichotomy in the era of the #MeToo Movement, which Parker tackles with students. Last year, she asked girls to write down the names society calls a woman who has had sex at least once: “The girls came up with 25 names, yet when I asked them for names that a boy who has had sex is called, they could only come up with eight, and some of them were positive, like ‘player.’” Waiting to have “The Talk” with your teen about sex may be anxiety-inducing for parents and kids, so do it earlier and more frequently, Parker suggests. “Have as many five-minute conversations as possible over the course of their childhood and teenage years. Start early by talking about body parts and what is private and personal. By the time your child gets a phone, talk about what to do if someone asks for photos of them.” She also urges parents of teens to be upfront about the difference between porn and sex in real life.

Safety

Teens’ love affair with technology also brings increased threats to teens’ security and increased anxiety about

“ It’s devasting to be told that there isn’t a party, then see it live-streamed on your phone.” safety. Bullying among teens is not new, but cyberbullying takes it to a whole new level, one often unseen by parents. One thing parents and students are all-too aware of is the tragic reality of violence in schools today. 2018 was a record year for school shootings (82 shootings, the highest since 1970) and fatalities (51 people killed). “It’s a different reality now, and kids are quite aware of it,” Allee says. “While they appreciate the steps schools are taking to keep them safe, it creates a different basis for their safety.” Understandably, “There is an added fear of [parents] needing to be as involved as possible in their kids’ lives and protecting them,” Peters says. The downside of the natural tendency to keep children closer (and check in constantly) is that “kids don’t have as much experience with selfmanagement and resilience,” Allee adds. “When they reach a limit, teens need to have experience in knowing that they can handle it because they handled another difficult situation.”

Helping Teens Manage Their Stress

In addition to full-time counseling staffs for different divisions, McDonogh, RPCS and many other independent schools have well-being and peer counseling programs that help kids understand when they are feeling overwhelmed and how to recognize the physical, emotional and mental signs of stress and anxiety. The programs are teaching coping skills — deep breathing, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, yoga — so students can try out different strategies to understand what resources best suit them. At McDonogh, formal wellness classes begin in seventh grade, with a yearlong ninth-grade program and optional sessions for grades 10-12. As part of its comprehensive program, RPCS covers depression education in ninth grade to educate girls about the symptoms of depression, and in 201920, the school will launch a course on wellness in college in collaboration with college counseling and the wellness team. The experts agree on the most important strategy in helping teens manage stress and anxiety: Don’t wait until things are at a tipping point to talk about the tipping point. Create an atmosphere of open communication and trust and talk about and model how you handle stress. “These conversations are invitations for parents to figure out how to help their child,” Allee says.

Expert tips on managing teenager (and parental) stress: • Create family norms away from technology. Show teens how to disconnect and put down their phones by doing it yourself. Family Game Night, anyone? • Before signing up for something new, take an activity inventory. Only sign up your teen for things he or she can truly do. It’s okay to have varying levels of involvement for different activities and for teens to try different activities without an agenda. • Talk to other parents about how they handle social media and screen time. Encourage your child’s school to create programming for parents to engage with each other on this topic. Knowing the actual landscape at your teen’s school is helpful when kids lobby hard (read: “Everyone has a YouTube channel, Mom!”). • Flip your language. To help instill resiliency and coping skills, say “You must be proud,” rather than “I am proud of you.” Instead of explaining how you would handle a situation, ask what he or she might do and brainstorm strategies. • Embrace the chore chart. Don’t try to eliminate all stressors, like chores, which can make a teen feel proud and empowered. • Keep sleep sacred. Make a nophone/screens rule 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime, and don’t let teens keep their phones in their rooms overnight. One expert offered this tried-and-true family rule: Charge all family phones overnight in the parents’ bathroom. If it’s not there by 10 p.m., it goes away for the next day.

Founded by visionary educator, Sally L. Smith in 2000, Baltimore Lab School educates bright, motivated children with moderate-tosevere learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD in grades 1-12. Through our innovative and arts integrated curriculum, our students learn and grow, and go on to succeed in college and careers as engaged and compassionate members of a global society. In addition to mastering core academics, students explore the visual and performing arts, participate in outdoor education and athletics, and build confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness. Baltimore Lab School students thrive in small classes with an exceptionally low student/teacher ratio and highly trained teachers and fulltime/on-site occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, and social workers. At Baltimore Lab School, we know that every child can learn. Baltimore Lab School 2220 St Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21228 www.baltimorelabschool.org

Program Profiles Independent schools offer more than just reading, writing and arithmetic. Explore the many course offerings that extend beyond the classroom: hands-on activities around STEM, partnerships with local organizations and on-the-job internship training.

program profile Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School is Baltimore’s only co-educational college preparatory Jewish day school spanning preschool through 12th grade. Faculty members address each individual learner’s needs throughout the rigorous dual curriculum, while building creativity, leadership skills and community ties. Every student’s educational journey culminates in an individualized college guidance program. Each year, Beth Tfiloh’s college guidance program has successfully placed 100 percent of its seniors who have applied to four-year universities and colleges, as well as gap-year programs.

Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School (College Counseling)

The process begins with informational class meetings in both freshman and sophomore years, continuing throughout junior and senior years with individualized family meetings and student conferences. College counselors help students assess their own interests, goals and achievements as they explore opportunities at a vast array of colleges. These partnerships provide comprehensive advising and advocacy for each student, and the results are exceptional: acceptances to 64 colleges and universities, each one selected for being the right fit for each individual student’s needs. Learn more about Beth Tfiloh at an Open House: www.bethtfiloh.com/fishbowl.

The Catholic High School of Baltimore (Biomedical Program)

Students at The Catholic High School of Baltimore have the unique opportunity to explore the vibrant worlds of science and medicine. The school’s unique four-year Biomedical Program challenges students through a combination of intense course work, research and lab experimentation, field experiences and highly qualified guest speakers. Learning also takes place outside the classroom, as students often participate in programs such as the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program. Catholic High is the only high school in the area to offer coursework in epidemiology, biotechnology and bioethics. Angela Baumler, director of enrollment, explains how being introduced to the biomedical field in high school fosters an early mastery of this coursework. “The program provides an early introduction and exposure to the growing fields of science and health care,” she says. “Students are finding the program covers coursework they encounter in college in degree programs such as nursing.”

For more than 200 years, Friends School has pioneered innovative teaching in Baltimore. The University Partnership Program, Friends’ initiative to provide students with hands-on college research experience, is the longest-running program of its kind in the Baltimore area. The program connects students and teachers with thought leaders from colleges and research institutions across the country. At Friends School, students don’t have to wait until they graduate to work with collegiatelevel researchers. From neuroscience to the arts, Friends School students have the opportunity to research topic areas they’re passionate about and apply skills learned in the classroom to real-life situations.

Friends School of Baltimore (University Partnership Program)

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At Friends School, students are challenged to find meaning in what they learn and encouraged to continually ask why. Friends is committed to helping students discover and become the person they are meant to be and believes the experience a student has on the way to their future determines the path they will follow on the road to success. At Friends School of Baltimore, the journey matters.

Through a 15-year partnership with The Johns Hopkins University, the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program at Garrison Forest allows juniors and seniors to obtain hands-on research experience in STEM fields. WISE participants conduct world-class research, mentored by Johns Hopkins University professors and graduate students, for two afternoons a week for about 15 weeks of a semester. Students are guided through diverse aspects of assisting in a research lab, giving them the opportunity to learn at a level normally reserved for graduate school.

Garrison Forest School (WISE)

WISE is supported by The James Center at Garrison Forest, which connects students with organizations and non-profits to provide opportunities in experiential learning. Andrea Perry, director of The James Center and coordinator of WISE, notes that “WISE gives students the chance to be tested in a real-world research context as they develop confidence, collaborative skills and practical lab experience.”

Institute of Notre Dame (IND) is proud to offer Project Lead the Way® (PLTW) STEM programs in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. PLTW students take an additional science class each year to graduate with a STEM certificate. Computer science encompasses courses in web design, cyber technology, Java and Advanced Placement (AP) computer science. Engineering students are exposed to principles of engineering, engineering design and development classes. Biomedical students learn about body systems, medical interventions and biomedical innovations. Field trips are an important extension of classroom learning; for example, IND biomed students are regular visitors to the nearby campus of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Institute of Notre Dame (Project Lead the Way® and Theresian Scholars)

For students who excel academically and are interested in a wider curriculum, IND’s Theresian Scholars program allows them to take all honors and AP classes across disciplines. To receive the Theresian Medal, qualified students must maintain a high average, complete an AP research and methods class, and present a capstone research project on a topic of their choosing.

Innovation is front and center at Maryvale, a Catholic, independent school for girls in grades 6-12 in Lutherville. Two particular programs support the students’ drive for innovation: the Leadership Institute and STEAM opportunities. Through courses, advisory sessions, school-wide assemblies and events, all Maryvale students benefit from the Leadership Institute. Students in the competitive Leadership Certificate program take at least four leadership courses, engage in leadership service and complete a capstone project their senior year.

Maryvale Preparatory School (Leadership Institute and STEAM Programming)

“Our capstone experience is unique,” says Mary Ellen Fise, Maryvale’s director of the Leadership Institute. “It allows a student to conduct her own primary research on a leadership-related topic while also engaging with professionals in the field. It is a hands-on and immersive approach.” Similarly, hands-on STEAM opportunities are infused in Middle and Upper School curriculums through course offerings and partnerships with prominent corporations and universities. Students can flex their innovative skills through robotics courses, two advanced Mac labs and the new Innovation Lab. They can delve into ecological stewardship in marine biology and environmental science, consider the origins of early humans or adaptations of the human body and study the interactions of humans with today’s world in biological anthropology and human anatomy and physiology.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

program profile Dance is more than an extracurricular activity at Notre Dame Preparatory School, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6-12. Middle Level dance students are introduced to world dance, jazz, musical theatre, tap, ballet, modern, and dance for social justice. The Upper Level program offers novice and advanced courses with performing opportunities during the year. The program is headed by Serene Webber, who holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and is a Certified Movement Analyst (C.M.A.). She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts Infusion.

Notre Dame Preparatory School (Dance)

She feels the skills acquired through dance build a student’s communication and collaborative abilities. “Students learn how to communicate thoughts, feelings and experiences,” Webber says. “Dance allows for creative reasoning and reflection, which helps the student in all aspects of her life.” Webber also combines dance with service; last year, she launched a statewide campaign called the Tutu Mission, which raised money for AileyCamp Baltimore, benefiting young dancers from Baltimore County and Baltimore City.

The pre-kindergarten program at St. James Academy (SJA) exemplifies the school’s multisensory approach to learning, providing students an enriching, nurturing and creative educational experience. The program design is inspired by the Reggio-Emilia philosophy, a child-centered educational approach that embraces open-ended questioning, project-based lessons and experiential learning.

St. James Academy (Pre-K)

Pre-k at SJA offers the added value of a kindergarten-grade 8 experience for a 4-year-old in a much larger setting. The 89-acre campus allows for outdoor exploration in all subject areas. The student-centered program clearly understands the ages and stages of development, and the goal is to educate students in an active, warm and safe environment while educating the whole child. Meeting children where they are and watching them grow in this welcoming and supportive environment is key to the SJA experience.

St. John’s Parish Day School offers transitional kindergarten (TK) in order to successfully bridge the path from preschool to kindergarten. Located in Ellicott City, St. John’s is a co-ed Episcopal school for students in early pre-k through grade 5. Transitional kindergarten is aimed at students who turn 5 between May 1 and November 1 and could benefit from another year to strengthen the fundamental skills needed for success in kindergarten. The small class size provides each student greater one-on-one time with instructors, making sure the personal educational interests and needs of each child are met. Lisa Cheuvront, transitional kindergarten teacher at the school, notes how TK students have many of the same special classes (Spanish, technology, science, music, P.E., art) as kindergarteners but attend those classes for shorter periods of time, and some as only half the class.

St. John’s Parish Day School (Transitional Kindergarten)

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She also notes parents enroll their children in TK to have an additional year for them to mature socially, emotionally and academically. “By the end of the year, we see children’s self-confidence grow immensely,” she explains. “They grow in their ability to handle different social situations, the longer school days and in how they approach their school work — whether it be individually, in small groups or as part of a whole class.”

At St. Timothy’s, the world becomes the classroom during Winterim, the two weeks just after winter term and just before spring break. St. Timothy’s is a private boarding and day school for girls in grades 9 through 12, located in Stevenson, Maryland. During Winterim, students immerse themselves in experiential learning, which could take place around a campsite, at the U.S. Capitol, at NASA or the United Nations. Each Winterim revolves around a theme, with students exploring and exercising concepts such as leadership skills, scientific and technical innovation, and cultural and global awareness.

St. Timothy’s (Winterim)

The Waldorf School of Baltimore (Learning Through Interactive Play)

St. Timothy’s Head of School Randy Stevens notes experiential learning is so critical because students aren’t learning about history, the sciences or foreign policy from a textbook; they’re seeing it in action firsthand. “Our students get exposure to world leaders, policy makers and scientists whom many don’t have the opportunity to be exposed to until the college years,” he says. “It truly makes for an incredible learning experience.”

The Waldorf School of Baltimore (WSB) utilizes the power of play as a curriculum component to build healthy sensory development and motor control, along with the natural creativity and imagination that live within each child. Through play, children also learn about the laws of nature and science, how to think flexibly, solve social conflicts and develop resiliency. “Play is child-directed, allowing for the development of wonder and observation, and problem-solving skills,” says Christina Harris, Waldorf education specialist. Located in Baltimore’s Cylburn neighborhood, WSB recognizes that interactive play sets the stage for students to thrive academically and socially-emotionally in the lower and middle schools. In elementary school, creative play opportunities continue during daily recess and outdoor nature explorations. Harris explains that the elementary students are provided ageappropriate opportunities to engage with interactive, hands-on learning experiences. These foster a sense of wonder and curiosity which continues into middle school and beyond.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

Preparing Preschoolers With Play By Sarah Achenbach

For

a few weeks last winter, a giant cardboard box transformed daily in one of the prekindergarten classrooms at The Preschool at Garrison Forest School. One day, the box held giggling 4-year-olds for a fantastical journey to space (with a few items from the play kitchen in case aliens wanted waffles). The next day, it was a castle protected by a perimeter of blocks and plastic dinosaur sentries. Finally, for several days, the box became an ice cave with cotton-ball “ice” glued to the outside and eager “polar bears” pretending to hibernate for a teacher-led unit on animals and hibernation. The joy that comes from giving a young child an empty box goes well beyond playtime in a preschool classroom. Dubbed “playful learning” — what behavioral scientists call the combination of

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free and guided play — it becomes the tool preschoolers need to process information and develop critical cognitive, social, mathematical, spatial and literacy skills. Play, according to the science-oflearning field, provides the essential elements for successful learning: being engaged mentally, interacting socially, and building meaningful, contextual connections between play and the student’s life. Put more simply by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), “Play is the child’s lab.” “When doing a passive worksheet, children are not taking ownership of the outcome,” says Patty Barry, head of Wilkes School at Grace and St. Peter’s, a preschool-fifth grade school in Mt. Vernon. “Their brains are so much more engaged when it is a natural, open-ended activity.” For Wilkes and other preschools

in the region, the growing research on the academic and social benefits of play are blurring the line between play-based preschools (where the child guides the learning with gentle direction from the teacher) and more traditional, academic-based programs, in which the teacher directs learning through more structured routines and lessons. “It’s not either academics or play,” Barry explains. “There are so many ways to cover materials and concepts that honor a child’s need for play and creativity and still [prepare them] for kindergarten.” At Wilkes, a preschool teacher teaches patterns with blocks and leads a class walk outside to observe patterns in nature. During unstructured playtime, children have ample ways — and teacher encouragement — to create patterns on their own, concepts that are underscored in art and music classes.

Play is the perfect detour, and with preschoolers, detours matter a great deal. “Kids don’t need timelines. That’s not the way they learn,” says Donna Avila, the director of St. David’s Day School, who has 20-plus years of teaching experience in both private and public preschools and elementary schools. “Our teachers can take an interesting detour if the class is really interested in sharks. They develop fun activities to help our students learn, which is different from kindergarten in public school. We don’t have a school system looking over our teachers to see that the kids have done this and that by x date. Instead, we are doing a lot of dramatic play, outdoor time and other activities to work through our curriculum.” Guided play and unstructured playtime increase grammar and vocabulary skills, reinforce recognition of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and enrich language development — the critical academic skills needed to enter kindergarten. One of the goals of preschool is to introduce students to the concepts of letters and numbers. “Children enter kindergarten at different stages of reading readiness, and all young learners benefit from a balanced approach that combines explicit phonics instruction with reading readiness skills and strategies,” explains Gail Hutton, Garrison Forest’s head of the lower division and a veteran of the first-grade classroom. “The goal is to provide a solid foundation in order to prevent reading intervention in the future.” Playful learning also allows children to practice social-emotional skills, which are critical for academic success. “Kindergarten readiness is also about having students develop inner controls to navigate their behavior,” explains Barry. “You can’t catch up on social skills. Play is more meaningful and makes connections.”

Social-emotional readiness is a big expectation for Garrison Forest’s all-girls grades K-5 Lower School (After its co-ed preschool, Garrison Forest is all-girls through 12th grade.) “We want our girls to have a true 5-year-old understanding of attending [in class] and have the stamina to sit and listen to a teacher, hopefully, for 10 or 15 minutes at a time,” Hutton says. “If age-appropriate strategies to problem-solving and self-regulation are in place [by kindergarten], students form deeper connections to school and learning.” Jamie Roeder, Garrison Forest’s director of early childhood education, sees a growing trend in early education literature and at conferences to address the socialemotional development of younger and younger students. “Once you add the academic piece, if the child doesn’t have the self-regulation to overcome emotions, kindergarten and first grade can be very overwhelming. When you start younger, you can make learning instinctive,” adds Roeder. “The most important thing you can do for a child is to help him or her feel safe and secure in a learning environment, and you can do that through play.” Both acknowledge that the value of play and social-emotional development may not appeal to all parents. “If I talk to 10 [prospective preschool parents], five will be

concerned if their child is going to go to a prestigious college, and five want their child to be happy in preschool,” says Roeder. At Wilkes, Barry fields similar questions: “Sometimes parents will ask if their child is going to be challenged in preschool if the child already knows her letters. I am always mindful, but can the child put on her coat, sit and listen to a story, share with others, and use words to solve an issue with friends?” Experts at asking Alexa for what they need, today’s techsavvy preschoolers also need to be resilient problem-solvers and seasoned collaborators. Researchers believe that guided play helps to develop proactive control, which describes how the prefrontal cortex’s neural mechanisms use environmental clues to determine what might happen next and how to adapt. “As we look to changing technology, what remains vital is the need to solve a problem, deal with peers and stay on task, everything a child needs to achieve in early childhood,” says Barry. Strong social-emotional skills prepare students for any lifelearning task, Avila adds. “Happy kids are successful kids,” she says. “This shouldn’t be a new idea.”

school directory 2019-2020 Independent School Guide Directory Only advertisers are included in the print directory. Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools ADDRESS: 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 WEBSITE: archbalt.org/schools PHONE NUMBER: 410-547-5515 TUITION & FEES: $1,240-$21,200 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: Almost 25,000 students* *2018-2019 School Year APPLICATION DEADLINE: Application deadlines vary by school. Please contact your Catholic school(s) of choice for application and admissions information. OPEN HOUSE DATE: Open house dates vary by school. Please contact your Catholic school(s) of choice for open house, shadow day, tours and other admissions event information. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed and single-sex Catholic school educational options available GRADE LEVELS: Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools YEAR FOUNDED: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton laid the foundation for the Catholic school system in the United States by opening her school for girls in Baltimore in 1810. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore provide a Christ-centered education that is academically excellent and empowers students to reach their full potential — spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and morally. Catholic schools offer a balanced curriculum, integrating music and arts, foreign language and Catholic faith, while challenging students in the areas of science, math and technology. Catholic schools emphasize critical thinking and encourage students to collaborate, communicate, problem-solve and ask questions. Teachers in Catholic schools do more than teach. They take time to get to know their students and figure out how they learn best. Their attention allows students’ best selves to come forth. Catholic school teachers instill a positive learning environment that helps children get excited about school. Almost 25,000 students attend a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which includes 45 elementary and middle schools and 19 high schools located in Baltimore City, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Washington counties.

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Baltimore Lab School ADDRESS: 2220 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 WEBSITE: baltimorelabschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-261-5500 TUITION & FEES: $38,730-$42,175 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 137 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission OPEN HOUSE DATE: December 12, 2019 at 9 a.m., or visit baltimorelabschool.org/admissions/visit.cfm. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: 1-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 2000 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Baltimore Lab School (BLS) offers an exceptional academic experience for bright, motivated students with moderate-to-severe learning disabilities in grades 1-12. Its transformative classroom experiences and engaging, multisensory, arts-integrated curriculum set the school apart. Based on the groundbreaking teaching methods developed by its founder, Sally L. Smith, the school’s program is proven to help young people become aware of how they learn best, and navigate challenges with reading, spelling, writing and math while preparing them for a range of rewarding choices after graduation. Students can be parentally placed or publicly funded by their local school system. BLS is a nonpublic special education school approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School ADDRESS: 3300 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 WEBSITE: bethtfiloh.com/fishbowl PHONE NUMBER: 410-413-2323 TUITION & FEES: $2,700-$22,100 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 950 GRADE LEVELS: Preschool through grade 12 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission; families are encouraged to submit applications by mid-January. OPEN HOUSE DATES: Lower School Group Tour: November 7, 2019, 8:45 a.m. Middle School Open House: November 19, 2019, 7 p.m. High School Open House: November 14, 2019, 7 p.m. Please view complete details at bethtfiloh.com/openhouseBFB. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed YEAR FOUNDED: 1941 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Judaism OVERVIEW: Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School is Baltimore’s only co-educational college preparatory Jewish day school that prepares students from preschool through grade 12 to meet the local and global challenges of a contemporary society. Beth Tfiloh’s unique philosophy and curriculum emphasize the values and traditions of a rich Judaic heritage and American democratic ideals. The faculty and student body represent a broad spectrum of practices and beliefs, embracing those differences and valuing that which unites those of the Jewish faith. Students benefit from a rigorous dual curriculum — a comprehensive education in both general and Judaic studies — that meets each student’s individual needs. A wealth of extracurricular opportunities allows students to express their creativity, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their ties to the community. This educational journey, culminating with a renowned individualized college guidance program, ensures that 100% of Beth Tfiloh seniors who apply to a four-year university get accepted to the one that is right for them.

The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland ADDRESS: 822 West Lake Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: boyslatinmd.com PHONE NUMBER: 410-377-5193 x1137 TUITION & FEES: $21,220-$30,530 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 625 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2019

OPEN HOUSE DATES: Open House: October 20, 2019; Talk & Tour: December 5, 2019 or visit website to register for Coffee with Headmaster Post, boyslatinmd.com/campusvisit. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, boys GRADE LEVELS: K through grade 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1844 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: For 175 years, Boys’ Latin has focused on understanding how boys learn best. World-class faculty, challenging academics and timeless values are the hallmarks of a Boys’ Latin education and prepare boys for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland instills the values of courage, compassion and integrity in each boy as embodied in its motto, Esse Quam Videri (to be, rather than to seem). Each and every student is known — for his strengths and his vulnerabilities. For what he is today, and all that he could be tomorrow.

The Bryn Mawr School ADDRESS: 109 West Melrose Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: brynmawrschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-323-8800 TUITION & FEES: $17,500-$33,350 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 775 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2019; rolling admission after OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please visit brynmawrschool.org/visit to register for Fall Visit Days and Open House. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls pre-k through grade 12; co-ed infant and nursery school GRADE LEVELS: All-girls pre-k through grade 12; co-ed infant and nursery school for 6 weeks old to age 5 YEAR FOUNDED: 1885 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: The Bryn Mawr School is an independent, all-girls pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school with a co-ed preschool and infant care. Bryn Mawr is known for its inquisitive girls, excellent teaching, strong student-teacher relationships and spirited sisterhood. At Bryn Mawr, girls always come first. They lead, question, achieve, succeed, and are passionate about lifelong learning. In the classroom, on the fields and playground, across the stage and in the studio, Bryn Mawr raises the bar for girls and supports them as they achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory Calvert School ADDRESS: 105 Tuscany Road, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: calvertschoolmd.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-243-6054 TUITION & FEES: $13,150-$26,850 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 598 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 8, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please visit calvertschoolmd.org/admission/important-dates. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: K-8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1897 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Established in 1897, Calvert School is an independent, co-educational lower and middle school located in the Tuscany-Canterbury neighborhood of Baltimore City. As an internationally recognized leader in co-ed kindergarten through eighth-grade education, Calvert School provides the essential early foundation that children need to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. By concluding after eighth grade, Calvert is able to focus its resources and apply its extensive expertise solely to elementary and middle school education. Calvert’s k-8 specialization makes the school uniquely qualified to educate girls and boys — from ages 4 to 14 — during the most important developmental years of their lives. In addition to academic excellence and high standards, Calvert focuses on the whole child by teaching values, principles and life skills that prepare children to succeed in our increasingly complex world.

Cambridge School ADDRESS: 6200 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21212 WEBSITE: cambridgeschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-486-3686 TUITION & FEES: $8,800-$12,120 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 120 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 13, 2019; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 21, 2019, 9-11 a.m., and October 22, 2019, 6:30-8 p.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: K-8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1998 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian (non-denominational)

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OVERVIEW: The Cambridge belief is that children learn best when they see how the world is connected. Cambridge is a Christ-centered, classical community of learners who use time-tested literature and an in-depth, history-based curriculum through an integral approach, rather than teaching isolated bits of information. Think of it as the difference between eating a delicious slice of cake rather than each ingredient separately. Wonder and imagination are key, and the school’s move to a new campus last year has expanded its capacity for outdoor play and exploration. Each class, from kindergarten to grade 8, enjoys recess daily. Cambridge seeks to develop in its students the capacity and character required to live out their God-given destinies in high school and beyond.

The Catholic High School of Baltimore ADDRESS: 2800 Edison Highway, Baltimore, MD 21213 WEBSITE: thecatholichighschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-732-6200 TUITION & FEES: $14,800 per year; $1,100 for fees TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 330 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: October 19, 2019, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1939 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic, rooted in the Franciscan tradition (founded by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia) OVERVIEW: Empowered by Gospel values and rooted in the spirit and tradition of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, The Catholic High School of Baltimore, a sponsored institution of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia, is dedicated to the education of young women in an environment that fosters Christian attitudes of dignity and respect for the human person and all of creation. Through this mission, Catholic High recognizes that through education, the empowerment of women can effect the transformation of society. Catholic High offers the following academic programs: McCafferty Honors, College Preparatory, STEM, Biomedical Program, McCafferty Visual and Performing Arts Program, Law and Leadership in the Franciscan Tradition, and the Archangel Program (for students with learning differences). Students have the opportunity to enroll in courses offered through Neumann University, Notre Dame of Maryland University and Anne Arundel Community College to receive college credit.

Friends School of Baltimore ADDRESS: 5114 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: friendsbalt.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-649-3211 TUITION & FEES: $20,435-$31,610 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 870 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please refer to friendsbalt.org/ admission/visit-friends for Open House dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1784 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Quaker OVERVIEW: Friends School of Baltimore commits to helping students discover and become the person they’re meant to be. At Friends, students are challenged to find meaning in what they learn and encouraged to continually ask why. The school has pioneered innovative teaching and learning in, of and for Baltimore since 1784. There are countless opportunities for students to put their voices to work in the classroom, in Baltimore and beyond. A student’s time at Friends will equip him or her with the knowledge and confidence to be a courageous change-maker wherever his or her path leads.

Garrison Forest School ADDRESS: 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 WEBSITE: gfs.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-363-1500 TUITION & FEES: $1,550-$31,470 (preschool to grade 12, day); $60,215 (K-12, boarding) TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 528 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 13, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATES: Lower School: October 11, 2019; Middle School: October 16, 2019; Upper School: October 17, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, k-12; boarding program, 8-12; co-ed preschool GRADE LEVELS: K-12 with a co-ed preschool YEAR FOUNDED: 1910 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Brave, compassionate, curious, spirited. Girls thrive at Garrison Forest School (GFS), where they can be their authentic selves as they create with purpose, pursue their passions and lead with confidence. Dedicated, highly engaged faculty

members know each student and what’s important to her. As part of a comprehensive curriculum, STEM learning is fully integrated — from Lower School programs focused on programming, technology and research, to a partnership with Johns Hopkins University that gives Upper School girls an opportunity to work in research labs alongside Hopkins mentors. The 110-acre GFS campus gives girls the space to explore, featuring an outdoor classroom for younger students, state-of-the-art athletic fields and an equestrian center that is home to nationally recognized riding and polo programs. National and international boarding students in K-12 find a welcoming home base where they are supported by on-campus faculty residents and join a vibrant community with a full social calendar.

Gilman School ADDRESS: 5407 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: gilman.edu PHONE NUMBER: 410-323-3800 TUITION & FEES: $16,750-$31,470 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 1,020 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 18, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Visit gilman.edu/visit to register for an on-campus experience this fall. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, boys GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1897 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Boys have specific educational and developmental needs, and Gilman has spent more than 120 years tailoring ageappropriate learning experiences to meet those needs through a focused mission: to unlock the greatness within each student by educating the entire boy — mind, body and spirit. Gilman’s dynamic curriculum encourages each boy at each stage of his educational, emotional and social development to discover his own innate talents and interests. Nothing a boy does at Gilman is considered extracurricular: lessons learned on the playing field, in the art studio or at a soup kitchen are as vital as lessons learned in chemistry or English. The school’s rich and comprehensive program, talented and interesting faculty and students, and belief in the character traits embodied by the Gilman Five — Honor, Integrity, Respect, Humility and Excellence — combine to form the foundation of an educational environment dedicated to helping boys of promise grow into men of character.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory Immaculate Conception School ADDRESS: 112 Ware Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 WEBSITE: theimmaculate.org or theics.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-427-4801 TUITION & FEES: $3,270-$10,390, plus fees TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 510 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission OPEN HOUSE DATES: Middle School: October 17, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Fall Open House: November 7, 2019, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Catholic Schools Week Open House: January 30, 2020, 9:30-11:30 a.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k3 through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1887 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: Located in the heart of Towson, Immaculate Conception School is “not just a school, but a family.” ICS is a National Blue Ribbon, Catholic parish school offering academic excellence in a safe and nurturing environment. At ICS, students develop a solid academic foundation and critical thinking skills. The STREAM-infused curriculum engages students in science, technology, religion, engineering, the arts and math and develops problem-solving skills students will utilize as they remain immersed in all academic areas. ICS students share their Catholic values through service to the church, school, family and society. The ICS pre-k programs are certified by the Maryland State Department of Education as a Maryland EXCELS Level 5 provider, solidifying a commitment to high-quality child care and early education. The Level 5 rating is the highest rating available. Immaculate Conception School offers an Extended Day Program as well as a wide variety of athletics, clubs and activities.

Institute of Notre Dame ADDRESS: 901 Aisquith Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 WEBSITE: indofmd.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-522-7800 TUITION & FEES: $15,050 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 240 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: November 2, 2019, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1847 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic OVERVIEW: At the historic Institute of Notre Dame (IND) — the flagship school of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in America —

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generations of young women have been challenged to redefine what’s possible. From this school of “firsts,” IND graduates go on to become trailblazers in Congress, the military, the boardroom and in their communities. Since 1847, IND has been a beacon of cultural and intellectual diversity where each student gains the knowledge and confidence to navigate a complex world in pursuit of her own calling. Today, IND remains deeply committed to its urban Baltimore campus, with all the opportunities that represents for learning, culture, recreation and service.

Jemicy School ADDRESS: Upper School: 11202 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 Lower and Middle Schools: 11 Celadon Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 WEBSITE: jemicyschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-653-2700 TUITION & FEES: $35,200-$36,850 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 400 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 17, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please call to schedule a visit. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: 1-12 equivalent YEAR FOUNDED: 1973 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Jemicy School, accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS) and the International Dyslexia Association, is a co-educational, independent school that provides a highly individualized, flexible and challenging program for talented and bright college-bound students with dyslexia or other related language-based learning differences. The school addresses students’ intellectual strengths and their learning needs by utilizing creative, multisensory, researchbased programs and techniques to develop reading, writing, spelling, math and organization skills; promote a love of learning; and prepare students for the intellectual and social challenges of college and life. Jemicy, founded in 1973, is an internationally recognized and preeminent leader in its field and provides a 21st-century education for students between the ages of 6 and 18 on its two Owings Mills campuses. The school maintains a student-faculty ratio of 4:1, and class size ranges from four to 11 students. Academic and recreational summer programs are also offered.

The John Carroll School ADDRESS: 703 East Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21014 WEBSITE: johncarroll.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-838-8333 TUITION & FEES: $17,600 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 665 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: November 2, 2019, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; please register at johncarroll.org/openhouse. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1964 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: The John Carroll School offers a Catholic, co-educational, challenging college preparatory program that stimulates critical thinking, independent exploration and a global perspective. Rigorous academics, integrated with real-life experiences, prepare students to transition to college-level courses with confidence, while highly qualified and engaging faculty nurture and motivate students to reach their full potential every day. Signature programs include the Archbishop John Carroll Scholar Program/AP Capstone Distinction; STEAM Academy; Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Exploration; College Preparatory Dance Program; St. Joseph Program for students who learn differently; and an international student program. New courses for 2019-20 include two sections of Cyber Security and AP Computer Science. At John Carroll, “Every Patriot has a story” thanks to transformative experiences that not only provide students with a lifetime of memories, but prepare them to make a tremendous impact on their communities and the world.

Krieger Schechter Day School ADDRESS: 8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 WEBSITE: ksds.edu PHONE NUMBER: 410-486-8640 TUITION & FEES: $18,200-$20,500 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 290 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 15, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATES: Information sessions at 9 a.m. on October 23, 2019, December 18, 2019 and January 8, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: K-8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1981 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Jewish

At Cathedral we educate the whole child— mind, heart, and spirit. Offering students a strong foundation in spiritual strength and academic excellence since 1871. JOIN US!

Fall Open House Oct. 15 & Nov. 12 • 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call us at 410.464.4117 or visit SchooloftheCathedral.org.

A Catholic Parish School serving grades K – 8

PRE-K – 8TH GRADE

Why Choose SJS? Think Critically Work Purposefully Live Faithfully

Located in the heart of Cockeysville, St. Joseph School offers a vibrant Catholic community with a strong curriculum of academic excellence for Pre-K-8th Grade.

Call today to schedule a tour! sjpray.org | 410-683-0600 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory OVERVIEW: Krieger Schechter Day School (KSDS) is a co-educational, k-8, independent Jewish day school offering exceptional academics and a dual-language curriculum. The school creates confident leaders and critical thinkers within a welcoming, vibrant community. Its Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)-accredited program is recognized by top Baltimore-area high schools and, later, by highly regarded colleges and universities.

Loyola Blakefield ADDRESS: 500 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 WEBSITE: loyolablakefield.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-823-0601 TUITION & FEES: $21,425 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 940 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATES: Upper School Open House, October 20, 2019: loyolablakefield.org/openhouse; Middle School Exploration Day, November 10, 2019: loyolablakefield.org/ explorationday. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, boys GRADE LEVELS: 6-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1852 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic, Jesuit OVERVIEW: Loyola Blakefield is a Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory school founded in 1852, for boys in grades 6 through 12, located in Towson. Loyola Blakefield offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum that provides a broad range of major course offerings, including honors and AP courses, complemented by a selection of enriching electives and co-curricular activities. Ignatian service and spiritual formation, in the Jesuit tradition, are the hallmark of a Loyola education. There are 17 interscholastic sports teams at Loyola Blakefield, as well as musical and dramatic performing arts ensembles, and many clubs and student organizations.

Maryvale Preparatory School ADDRESS: 11300 Falls Road, Lutherville, MD 21093 WEBSITE: maryvale.com PHONE NUMBER: 410-252-3366 TUITION & FEES: $21,200 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 425 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATES: Meet Maryvale: Upper School Dates: October 4, 2019, 8:30 a.m. or

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November 5, 2019, 8:30 a.m. Middle School Dates: October 17, 2019, 8:30 a.m. or December 5, 2019, 8:30 a.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 6-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1945 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic, independent OVERVIEW: Maryvale is a Catholic, independent school for girls in grades 6 through 12. Affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Maryvale combines tradition with the latest trends in technology and education to offer an invaluable, customized learning experience for each student. Situated on a beautiful, college-like campus in Green Spring Valley, Maryvale gives each girl the skills and confidence to learn and succeed throughout the school day and throughout life. With its manageable size, innovative teaching methods and flexible curriculum, Maryvale provides the individualized approach that each student needs to excel in all aspects of her education — academic, spiritual and social. Opportunity is a word you hear a lot at Maryvale because this incredible school — with its perfect size, joyful environment, excellent teachers and innovative programs, such as the Leadership Institute — offers each girl something other schools cannot. Students have the opportunity to ace a test, score a winning goal, land the lead role in the school musical, lead a club, volunteer with a service organization, try something new, all the while fitting in. From AP classes and social justice programs to athletics and arts, students have immense opportunities to develop lifelong talents and friendships.

McDonogh School ADDRESS: 8600 McDonogh Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 WEBSITE: mcdonogh.org PHONE NUMBER: 443-544-7020 TUITION & FEES: $17,210-$31,640 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 1,405 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please refer to mcdonogh.org/ admissions/ways-to-visit for Open House dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1873 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: McDonogh is a welcoming community where young people become LifeReady under the guidance of talented and caring teachers. Opportunities abound for deep thinking, innovating, discovering passions and helping others. In all endeavors, students and adults are guided by the virtues on McDonogh’s Character

Compass: respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness and service. Learning is enhanced with top-notch facilities, including an innovation center, STEM building, two theaters, a riding hall, an Olympic-sized pool and numerous playing fields. The school’s 800-acre campus also includes a 10-acre farm where students experience hands-on learning by tending the crops and harvesting produce for the dining hall and area food pantries. McDonogh operates a fleet of 27 buses with stops in four counties (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard) and Baltimore City. Five-day boarding is an option for Upper School students. Established in 1873, McDonogh remains true to its founding mission, providing need-based scholarships through the generosity of loyal supporters.

Mercy High School ADDRESS: 1300 East Northern Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21239 WEBSITE: mercyhighschool.com PHONE NUMBER: 410-433-8880 TUITION & FEES: $15,850 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 360 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: October 19, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1960 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: At Mercy High School, girls become lifelong learners, critical thinkers and principled leaders for a global society. An International Baccalaureate World School, Mercy offers a rich, rigorous college preparatory experience distinguished by the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme, honors and AP courses, four unique STEM programs, fine arts offerings with the Charm City Players and Hunt Valley Symphony Orchestra, and leadership and service opportunities. A worldwide community of more than 100 Mercy-sponsored schools and universities connects students through the shared Mercy values of excellence, hospitality, service, justice and compassion. Mercy’s 26-acre campus, which includes the Sr. Marie Foley College Counseling Center, the 660-seat Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Auditorium and the Dorothy Williams Bunting Science Center, offers an inspiring environment for girls to flourish. Opened in 2019, a brand-new multi-sport athletic complex featuring a premier AstroTurf Field, digital scoreboard and nighttime lights is home to the Mercy Magic!

Discover the Trinity Tradition Founded 1941

Independent/Catholic Coed PK3 through Grade 8 Small class size Culturally diverse Test scores exceed national average 1:1 iPad Program Gr 7-8

Extracurricular offerings Service opportunities Before & After Care available Financial assistance available Julie Program for students with learning differences

Twice Recognized Blue Ribbon School

FALL OPEN HOUSE!

Oct. 9, 10:00-12:00 & Nov. 14, 9:30-11:30 TrinitySchoolMD.org • Ellicott City, MD Learn More: (443) 498-5040

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory Mount Saint Joseph High School ADDRESS: 4403 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229 WEBSITE: msjnet.edu PHONE NUMBER: 410-646-6218 TUITION & FEES: $17,100 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 925 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATE: October 27, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, boys GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1876 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: As a Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School, Mount Saint Joseph offers young men a rigorous academic program steeped in the Xaverian values of humility, simplicity, compassion, trust and zeal. Mount Saint Joseph students are expected to do more than the average student, getting involved and challenging themselves constantly. Parents can expect more out of Mount Saint Joseph too. With a focus on experiential and service learning, independent research, retreats and community projects, a Mount education extends far beyond the classroom walls. Mount Saint Joseph is more than a school. It’s a place to learn, to grow, to build lasting friendships; it’s a place to call home.

Notre Dame Preparatory School ADDRESS: 815 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286 WEBSITE: notredameprep.com PHONE NUMBER: 410-825-6202 TUITION & FEES: $20,590; fees range from $300-$700 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 800 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: October 12, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Please refer to notredameprep.com for a complete list of events for prospective students and families. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 6-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1873 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: Founded in 1873 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) is one of Baltimore’s oldest Catholic college preparatory schools for girls. The school’s mission, to educate and empower girls to become

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women who transform the world, has inspired more than 6,000 living alumnae and continues to inspire the approximately 800 girls currently enrolled in grades 6-12. NDP is the only girls’ school in Baltimore offering a formal humanities program — the Bette Ellis O’Conor Humanities Program — that provides an interdisciplinary approach to English, history, art and religion. The school’s STEAM (STEM + Art) Program fosters awareness, interest and confidence in STEAM subjects as students pursue STEAM courses coupled with a comprehensive liberal arts and college prep program. Direct service, the Women In… (WIN) experiential learning program, long-standing traditions and retreats combine to educate the whole student.

The Odyssey School ADDRESS: 3257 Bridle Ridge Lane, Stevenson, MD 21153 WEBSITE: theodysseyschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-580-5551 TUITION & FEES: $32,700 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 160 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 17, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATE: January 23, 2020; snow date: January 30, 2020 SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: K-8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1994 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Founded in 1994 by a group of dedicated parents, The Odyssey School is a unique, co-educational independent day school for students in kindergarten to eighth grade, with a 3:1 student/teacher ratio. Odyssey specializes in meeting the needs of bright students who have dyslexia or other related languagelearning differences. Widely recognized for academic excellence and evidence-based teaching techniques, Odyssey’s effectiveness is well-established. The program provides innovative multisensory teaching methods, small group instruction and daily periods of reading tutoring. The Odyssey School was named a 2010 Maryland State School for Character Education. Its 42 acres of campus include a stream, meadow, woods, playground and two athletic fields. The school building was designed to look like a home and includes a theater, gymnasium, computer lab, science labs, tutoring rooms and lunchroom. Special programs include art, library, music, physical education, violin, journalism, community service, student clubs, and outdoor and environmental trips. Athletics after school include soccer, cross country, basketball, squash, lacrosse and track. What begins at Odyssey changes everything!

Start Your

Oldfields School ADDRESS: 1500 Glencoe Road, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 WEBSITE: oldfieldsschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-472-4800 TUITION & FEES: $32,800, day tuition; $59,700, boarding tuition TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 120 APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1, 2020; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATES: September 28, 2019 and November 11, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls; day and boarding GRADE LEVELS: 8-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1867 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Oldfields believes in the power of teenage girls. An all-girls education is about possibilities, not limitations; learning is about the lifelong, joyful pursuit of personal excellence, not perfection; and the students are engaged, challenged and inspired. Each girl is valued for who she is as much as for who she can become — and her possibilities are limitless.

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ng i m o u c o e? y s u e o r A en H p O to NO YES

November 2 @ 10 a.m. johncarroll.org/openhouse

As a small school with over 150 years’ experience in forging opportunities for young women, Oldfields creates unique, immersive experiences for each girl. The school’s signature May Program provides an experiential learning opportunity that allows students to pursue their passions, gain new perspectives and explore possible careers. A renowned riding program offers expert instruction for beginners and experienced riders to achieve their goals. With students from across the country and around the world, each girl’s diverse individuality is valued, but it is the deeprooted sense of belonging that makes the Oldfields community a family and the campus a home.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 For information and tickets, visit

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BENEFITING

ONCOLOGY SERVICES

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory The Park School of Baltimore ADDRESS: 2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 WEBSITE: parkschool.net PHONE NUMBER: 410-339-7070 TUITION & FEES: $18,300-$33,090 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 811 APPLICATION DEADLINE: K-5: December 1, 2019; Grades 6-12: January 1, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATES: Lower School: October 5, 2019, 10-11:30 a.m. Middle and Upper Schools: October 27, 2019, 1-3 p.m. Please refer to school website for Tours with Principals. SCHOOL TYPE: Gender-inclusive GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1912 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None. Park is non-sectarian and, from the time of its founding, has welcomed religious diversity.

SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls, k-12; co-ed preschool GRADE LEVELS: K-12; includes a preschool YEAR FOUNDED: 1894 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: At Roland Park Country School, it is believed that young women who build each other up will thrive. As an independent school in Baltimore for girls in grades k-12, its all-girls culture is rooted in the notion that female empowerment begins with young women empowering each other. This enables RPCS students to build courage and confidence in an environment where female leadership across all areas of study is the norm, not the exception. The girls build a solid network here and constantly show up for each other and celebrate each other’s successes. Roland Park Country School’s Little Reds co-ed early childhood program for children ages 6 weeks up to 5 years old embraces the Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, which emphasizes rich and deep learning through stimulating experiences.

OVERVIEW: The Park School of Baltimore is an independent, gender-inclusive, non-sectarian, progressive pre-k through grade 12 school located on a 100-acre wooded campus minutes from the city. To get to know Park, talk to a student, engage a faculty member, follow the paths of its alumni, and consider the school’s mission statement: Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences. We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education. We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world. Park graduates pursue further academic achievement, develop professional pursuits, and are prepared to continue the process of choosing for themselves from the wide range of possibilities life offers.

The Sacred Heart School of Glyndon

Roland Park Country School

OVERVIEW: The Sacred Heart School of Glyndon develops the unique, God-given gifts of each student in a safe, nurturing and diverse environment through innovative academics, service to others, and spiritual preparation for a fulfilling life that follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. As a pre-k through eighth-grade, coed, Catholic school, Sacred Heart prepares its students for high school through its focus on academic excellence, faith formation and service to others. Its motto, “Loving. Learning. Serving,” captures the school’s mission. With an average class size of 20-25, students enjoy a comprehensive curriculum that includes religion, foreign language, arts and physical education.

ADDRESS: 5204 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: rpcs.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-323-5500 TUITION & FEES: $13,500-$31,660 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 615 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 16, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATES: September 25, 2019, 4 p.m.; October 28, 2019, 8 a.m. Please visit rpcs.org/visit for additional dates and details.

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ADDRESS: 63 Sacred Heart Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136 WEBSITE: shgschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-833-0857 TUITION & FEES: $6,400-$10,750 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 481 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 12, 2019, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and January 28, 2020, 9 a.m. Please refer to shgschool.org for Welcome Wednesday dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1956 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic

The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen ADDRESS: 111 Amberly Way, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: schoolofthecathedral.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-464-4100 TUITION & FEES: $10,096-$12,198 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 350 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2019; rolling admission thereafter (based on space) OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 15, 2019; November 12, 2019; and January 28, 2020, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please refer to schoolofthecathedral.org/admissions/ inquire-today for additional visiting times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: K-8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1871 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: The School of the Cathedral, a National Blue Ribbon School, builds in its students a foundation of spiritual strength, academic excellence and 21st-century learning. Located in Baltimore, Cathedral provides a supportive learning environment for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, promoting social-emotional development and well-being. To enhance its students’ academic education, technology is incorporated into every class through individual iPads and Chromebooks, and interactive whiteboards. Modern facilities include a Makerspace, a K-8 science lab, a turf field and classrooms with flexible seating options. Faith is woven into every student’s education in a way that ensures students will “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). Cathedral welcomes students from all backgrounds into its faith-based community with the belief that familiarity and interaction help develop compassion and understanding. Graduates of Cathedral are prepared to meet the leadership needs of an evolving world.

St. James Academy ADDRESS: 3100 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111 WEBSITE: saintjamesacademy.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-771-4816 TUITION & FEES: $7,210-$18,670 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 220 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 9, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATE: November 20, 2019, 9:30-11:30 a.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1821 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: St. James Academy is a leading pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade independent school. The Academy’s approach to education opens young minds to thinking beyond the page and exploring interests and passions. The low student/ teacher ratio gives teachers the flexibility to adhere to a strong curriculum and also tailor classes for students to discover their interests and strengths from an early age. The curriculum builds year upon year, thus preventing gaps and ensuring 10 consistent years of academic preparation for success in high school and beyond. The academic program includes accelerated, small-group math and reading instruction and intentional technology integration. World language classes begin in pre-kindergarten as cultural exploration and continue through middle school. Students study visual and performing arts, including chorus, band and drama. There are three afterschool musicals per year. The artist-in-residence program and visiting author series further enhance the student experience. Students in fifth through eighth grades have opportunities to participate in interscholastic athletics.

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (Long Green Valley) ADDRESS: 13311 Long Green Pike, Hydes, MD 21082 WEBSITE: stjohnschoollgv.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-592-9585 TUITION & FEES: $3,300-$7,970 (pre-k); $7,970 (k-8) TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 190 APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 1, 2019; rolling thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please visit stjohnschoollgv.org/admissions/open-house-dates for Open House dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Preschool (3-year-old) through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1947 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: St. John School is a National Blue Ribbon School as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. St. John School is a fully accredited Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and resides in the beautiful Long Green Valley of Baltimore County, where it straddles the Harford County border, serving students from preschool (3-year-old) through grade 8 from communities in both counties. The school’s hallmarks are its use of differentiated instructional approaches and its low student-to-teacher ratio. St. John faculty give students much individual attention and utilize various techniques and technology to enable students to work at their own pace and to reach their highest potential. Of its graduates, 99% are accepted to their first-choice high schools. Students participate in a variety of clubs, sports and other activities, including a broadcast studio and outreach activities.

St. John’s Parish Day School ADDRESS: 9130 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 20142 WEBSITE: stjohnspds.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-465-7644 TUITION & FEES: $4,000-$15,125 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 250 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 31, 2020; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please visit stjohnspds.org/openhouse for Open House dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Preschool through grade 5 YEAR FOUNDED: 1965 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal

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OVERVIEW: St. John’s Parish Day School (SJPDS) serves children in pre-k through grade 5, on a beautiful 14-acre campus. SJPDS incorporates the best of Episcopal education while maintaining the highest academic standards. Students benefit from small class sizes, differentiated instruction, thematic units, STEAM experiences and a sense of community. The personalized learning approach and stimulating curriculum give students strong foundational tools to discover their individual gifts and grow as independent thinkers of sound character. The programs include daily chapel, science, technology, art, Spanish, music and phys ed. Students learn beyond the classroom and gain authentic cultural experiences through project-based learning. From venturing outside for class to taking full advantage of the close proximity to Baltimore and Washington, DC, opportunities for wonder and discovery are limitless. SJPDS graduates go on to attend the best schools in the region, but most importantly, they are active stewards of the world.

St. Joseph School, Cockeysville ADDRESS: 105 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030 WEBSITE: sjpray.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-683-0600 ext. 2200 TUITION: $8,150 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 300 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission policy OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 30, 2019, 9:30 a.m. and January 30, 2020, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1856 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: Named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Joseph School is a Catholic school serving children in pre-k to grade 8. Located in the heart of Cockeysville, St. Joseph School, an authentically Catholic community of diverse learners, prepares students to think critically, to work purposefully and to live faithfully. The school curriculum utilizes innovative instruction as well as state-of-the art technology that keeps students engaged in learning. St. Joseph School offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities in the areas of academics, athletics, service and leadership. Founded in 1856, St. Joseph School welcomes families from all faiths and parishes. The Maryland PBIS organization and the Archdiocese of Baltimore have awarded St. Joseph School with Gold status recognition for Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS). The school goes beyond the basics to nurture the best in each child.

St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School ADDRESS: 11152 Falls Road, Brooklandville, MD 21022 WEBSITE: stpaulspreandlower.org PHONE NUMBER: Preschool: 410-823-0061 Lower School: 410-821-3029 TUITION & FEES: $16,950-$26,540 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 317 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 17, 2019; November 18, 2019; December 11, 2019; January 10, 2020 SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: 6 weeks through grade 4 YEAR FOUNDED: 1849 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School is a co-educational, independent day school serving children from 6 weeks through grade 4 in two buildings on one campus in Brooklandville. As part of The St. Paul’s Schools, St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School is where the youngest learners begin their academic journey. St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School believes it is never too early for girls and boys to start adventuring every day. The expert faculty nurture children’s natural curiosity through an abundance of hands-on learning experiences and vary instruction to ensure that each child is consistently engaged and appropriately challenged. The foundation for this educational approach is a positive and nurturing setting where children feel safe to explore. St. Paul’s is dedicated to the growth of the whole child, not just intellectually but socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Lawrence Wang DDS MS | Michael Riger DMD MS Dr. Christopher Scott, DDS, MS

INSTITUTE of NOTRE DAME

Where you belong

OPEN HOUSE November 2 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Catholic • Girls • Grades 9-12 RSVP: 410-522-7800 • INDofMD.org 901 Aisquith Street • Baltimore, MD Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

school directory St. Paul’s School ADDRESS: 11152 Falls Road, Brooklandville, MD 21022 WEBSITE: stpaulsschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-825-4400 TUITION & FEES: $29,430-$30,990 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 570 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please refer to stpaulsschool.org/admissions for dates and times of monthly Parent Information Sessions. Please contact the Admissions Office to schedule student shadow days. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, boys GRADE LEVELS: 5-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1849 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: St. Paul’s School is a college-preparatory day school for boys in grades 5-12. At St. Paul’s, boys thrive in an environment that provides a range of challenges and support and a world of opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. St. Paul’s offers the intensive International Baccalaureate (IB) program and immersive experiences for a wide range of levels. Boys develop lasting bonds with peers and teachers, and build a strong moral compass and the courage to positively impact their world. St. Paul’s School, St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School and St. Paul’s School for Girls share a 120-acre campus, an Episcopal affiliation, and a mission to develop the intellect and character of their students. The St. Paul’s Schools are conveniently located in Brooklandville, on Falls Road off I-695.

St. Paul’s School for Girls ADDRESS: 11232 Falls Road, Brooklandville, MD 21022 WEBSITE: spsfg.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-823-6323 TUITION & FEES: $29,430-$30,990 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 456 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2019 OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please refer to spsfg.org/admissions for dates and times of monthly Parent Information Sessions and weekly Student Visit Days. Please contact the Admissions Office to schedule individual tours. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls GRADE LEVELS: 5-12 YEAR FOUNDED: 1959 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: St. Paul’s School for Girls (SPSG) is an independent, college preparatory school serving girls in grades 5-12. Grounded in the Episcopal values of respect, integrity and spiritual growth, SPSG cultivates a bold and courageous community of unique girls who will use their education and ethics to improve their

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world. Through its extensive connections and alumnae network, the school provides unparalleled learning through independent projects, professional internships, community service and nonprofit partnerships. As part of The St. Paul’s Schools, SPSG shares a campus with St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School and St. Paul’s School. As such, SPSG encourages and provides co-ed opportunities in and out of the classroom at just the right times, providing the best of both worlds on one campus. Students’ strengths are made stronger in an inclusive environment that feels like home, building not just lifelong skills, but lasting bonds.

St. Pius X School ADDRESS: 6432 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 WEBSITE: stpius10school.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-4277400 TUITION & FEES: $7,488-$9,360 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 125 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission, based on availability OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please join us for a Welcome Wednesday event or contact the Admissions Office to schedule a personal tour. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k3 through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1962 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic OVERVIEW: St. Pius X School provides a challenging environment of academic excellence and a strong spiritual foundation of Catholic values that will enable every student in the diverse school community to reach his or her full potential. As the only Catholic Montessori school in Maryland, St. Pius X School offers a unique and cohesive program that inspires a love of learning and quest for success.

St. Timothy’s School ADDRESS: 8400 Greenspring Avenue, Stevenson, MD 21153 WEBSITE: stt.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-486-7401 TUITION & FEES: $32,950-$58,300 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 185 APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1, 2020; rolling admission thereafter OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please refer to stt.org for Open House dates and times. SCHOOL TYPE: Single-sex, girls, day and boarding GRADE LEVELS: 9-12, post-graduate year offered YEAR FOUNDED: 1832 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal

Explore Loyola Blakefield OVERVIEW: St. Timothy’s students are the products of an educational experience unlike any in the region. Through study in the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, girls develop the habits of mind that make them fearless in their pursuit of knowledge, and become problem solvers valued by the nation’s best and most interesting colleges and universities. Through the school’s signature program, Winterim, they engage in opportunities to apply their knowledge and love of inquiry in some of the world’s leading organizations, such as the World Bank, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brookings Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Botanical Gardens, and the Museum of Modern Art. On a campus named by Architectural Digest as among the nation’s 50 most beautiful boarding schools, day and boarding students share the resources of a true 24/7 living and learning community.

Trinity School ADDRESS: 4985 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043 WEBSITE: trinityschoolmd.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-744-1524 TUITION & FEES: $4,780-$14,400 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 310 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 9, 2019, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; November 14, 2019, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; December 5, 2019, 9:30-11:30 a.m. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Pre-k3 through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1941 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Independent, Catholic OVERVIEW: Trinity School is culturally diverse, rich in tradition, and offers a strong curriculum based on core subject areas. In fact, Trinity students’ test scores exceed the national average. Teaching for values permeates the curriculum. Technology is incorporated throughout the curriculum. Prayer, scripture, social justice and morality are essential components of the Religion Curriculum. Developing an attitude of self-discipline within each student is a priority in Trinity’s philosophy. At Trinity, the qualities of love and respect are fostered to create a caring Christian community.

As the region’s premier school for boys in grades 6-12, we provide an unrivaled educational experience that forms the whole person.

Discover More at loyolablakefield.org

Oldfields schOOl An independent boarding and day school for girls grades 8-12, located in Northern Baltimore County

Open House September 28 with Horse Show!

November 11

Come explore our small school that creates BIG opportunities! RSVP 410-472-4800 www.OldfieldsSchool.org/OpenHouse Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

Waldorf School of Baltimore ADDRESS: 4801 Tamarind Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 WEBSITE: waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-367-6808 TUITION & FEES: $8,725-$20,975 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 165 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 5, 2020 for financial aid; February 1, 2020 for applications. Rolling admission thereafter. OPEN HOUSE DATE: Please contact the Admission Office at admissions@twsb.org for more information or to sign up for one-hour Windows into Waldorf tours. SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Nursery through grade 8 YEAR FOUNDED: 1971 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None OVERVIEW: Founded in 1971, the Waldorf School of Baltimore (WSB) is a private, independent day school from nursery age through eighth grade. Its mission is to educate and inspire children to think, feel and act with depth, imagination and purpose. The school believes every child is an enthusiastic and engaged learner and places an emphasis on the role of creativity and the imagination in learning. The Waldorf method offers a renaissance in education, favoring hands-on, experiential academics over rote memorization and technological reliance. Students are immersed in a rigorous academic environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency and a strong sense of self in relation to the rest of the world. As a Maryland Green School, Waldorf fosters a deep appreciation for the planet with outdoor parent-and-child classes, nature studies, forest aftercare, farm trips, school-wide composting and terracycling. Its beautiful campus is a certified wildlife habitat that boasts a thriving beehive, pollinator gardens and several chickens. WSB is conveniently located in scenic northwest Baltimore and attracts families from diverse communities in and around the greater Baltimore metropolitan area. The school is a full member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), fully licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS).

The Wilkes School at Grace & St. Peter’s ADDRESS: 707 Park Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201 WEBSITE: wilkesschool.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-539-1395 TUITION: $12,200-$17,410 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 55 APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 17, 2020 OPEN HOUSE DATES: October 18, 2019; November 1, 2019; January 17, 2020 SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed; includes preschool GRADE LEVELS: K-5 with a preschool YEAR FOUNDED: 1946 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: The Wilkes School at Grace & St. Peter’s is an independent co-educational preschool through grade 5 school located in the cultural heart of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. The school promotes academic growth, appreciation of the arts and moral development. The Wilkes School is committed to preparing each student to thrive socially and academically in their future schooling. Supported by a caring faculty, children at Wilkes grow to welcome the challenges of learning and are encouraged to appreciate their own strengths and the unique qualities of their fellow students.

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PRESCHOOLS Goldsmith Early Childhood Center of Chizuk Amuno Congregation ADDRESS: 8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 WEBSITE: chizukamuno.org/learning/gecc PHONE NUMBER: 410-486-8642 TUITION & FEES: $520-$11,625 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 105 APPLICATION DEADLINE: No deadline; based on class availability OPEN HOUSE DATES: Personal tours at any time SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Ages 2-5 YEAR FOUNDED: 1958 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Jewish OVERVIEW: Goldsmith Early Childhood Center (GECC) is an innovative and inquiry-based Jewish learning environment that focuses on a playbased foundation. Goldsmith teachers will guide children through their journey as they develop into confident, respectful independent thinkers and learners.

Good Shepherd School ADDRESS: 1401 Carrollton Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 WEBSITE: school.goodshepherdruxton.org PHONE NUMBER: 410-825-7139 TUITION & FEES: $1,400-$8,160 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 145 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are available October 1, 2019. OPEN HOUSE DATES: Week of November 11-15, 2019 SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Preschool YEAR FOUNDED: 1958 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: At Good Shepherd School, children delight in discovery and development. The school has a longstanding and solid reputation for preparing children with the skills, concepts and background knowledge essential for future educational success. Good Shepherd School values children’s wonder, curiosity and perspectives. Its community supports families and their hopes and dreams for their children. It celebrates teachers’ skills, talents and commitment to nurturing children. Its teachers work closely with parents to meet each child’s educational, social and emotional needs. The school provides an enriching curriculum in which each child develops his or her full potential and cultivates a love of learning.

St. David’s Day School ADDRESS: 4700 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210 WEBSITE: stdavidsrolandpark.com PHONE NUMBER: 410-366-2133 TUITION & FEES: $3,161-$9,800 TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 75 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling admission OPEN HOUSE DATE: n/a SCHOOL TYPE: Co-ed GRADE LEVELS: Preschool and kindergarten; ages 2-6 YEAR FOUNDED: 1956 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Episcopal OVERVIEW: The mission at St. David’s Day School is to nurture children, to encourage their innate enthusiasm for learning, and to help them become ready for the school years ahead through individual attention to all the facets of early growth and development: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social and physical. Students graduate from kindergarten with the knowledge and skills needed for success at local public, parochial and private schools. For more preschools, please see the following listings: • Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools • The Bryn Mawr School • Calvert School

• Friends School of Baltimore • Garrison Forest School

• Immaculate Conception School • McDonogh School

• The Park School of Baltimore • Roland Park Country School

• The Sacred Heart School of Glyndon • St. James Academy

• St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (Long Green Valley) • St. John’s Parish Day School

• St. Joseph School, Cockeysville • St. Paul’s Pre and Lower School • St. Pius X School • Trinity School

• Waldorf School

• The Wilkes School at Grace & St. Peter’s

Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools

class notes

ivalries represent an important tradition of Baltimore independent schools. Bryn Mawr School vs. St. Timothy’s School is the oldest private girls’ school basketball rivalry, approaching its 120th showdown. Gilman and McDonogh quarterbacks have faced off for over 100 years. The Turkey Bowl, pitting Loyola Blakefield against Calvert Hall football, will celebrate its 100th year this fall. Hijinks leading up to the big game, like stealing mascots and raucous pep rallies, add to the excitement. But all that bravado belies core values. Come game time, schools expect students to demonstrate excellence, effort, leadership, hope, fairness, sportsmanship and, win or lose, humility.

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Those values extend to the school community, too. Alumni, teachers and parents unite to show their loyalty and support their team, sharing a special kinship as they cheer their team on. Headmasters and athletes shake hands after the contest. There’s a lot to be learned about a school on the field or the court or the mat. May the best team win.

Fans celebrate the 1965 Turkey Bowl between Loyola Blakefield and Calvert Hall. Calvert Hall won that year, 17-8. The 100th Turkey Bowl takes place this year on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28.

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