2016 PRIMARY & SECONDARY GUIDE A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT www.TheDailyRecord.com 2 THEDAILYRECORD.COM Primary & Secondary School Guide 2016 September 2016 Admissions interview The benefits of What to expect know-how parent involvement during a shadow day 3 4 5 Listing of independent schools, Page 6 ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS GUIDE 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2480 Baltimore, MD 21202 Main Number: 443.524.8100 The following pages list independent primary and secondary schools Main Fax: 410-752-7789 in the state of Maryland, including both secular and religious schools that are not part of the state’s public school systems. The list is based on information provided by the website of the Maryland State Department of Education and by the schools themselves. In many Suzanne E. Fischer-Huettner Publisher cases, we talked to school representatives; in some cases, we relied on school websites. Thomas Baden Jr. Editor Special Products Editor Our list does not include independent schools that offer only nursery Jessica Gregg school or kindergarten classes. However, those schools are listed by Maria Kelly Comptroller county on the MSDE’s website, www.marylandpublicschools.org; phone 410-767-0100. Tracy Bumba Audience Development Director Darice Dixon Account Manager Tuition figures are the latest available. Heather McBain Inside Sales Coordinator Schools often charge fees that are not considered part of tuition. Jason Whong Digital Editor We recommend that readers contact schools directly to check on Digital Content Producer tuition and to ask about additional fees, enrollment policies and John Mullinix waiting lists. Sean Wallace Assistant Editor Maximilian Franz Senior Photographer Readers also should be aware that just because the state licenses a school to teach certain grades, that does not mean all of those grades Michael Duntz Graphic Designer are offered. It is important to us (and to our readers) to keep the information in this semi-annual guide as accurate as possible. To order additional copies of this publication, please contact Please bring any discrepancies to our attention by emailing [email protected]. Tracy Bumba at 443-524-8120 or 2 [email protected] September 2016 Primary & Secondary School Guide 2016 THEDAILYRECORD.COM 3 Interview know-how: How to stay calm, ask questions, be yourself BY BRIAN PAPPALARDO dents and parents on visiting days or about who they are. It’s an opportunity PARENT INTERVIEWS Special to the Daily Record during tours. for their personalities to shine through.” Be honest: Admissions professionals The student interviews are important, Admissions officials say children can agree that being candid about your child Paige North has talked with hundreds admission officials said, because they expect questions about their friends is best. of prospective students at Roland Park help determine what’s best for the chil- and family, current school, what they “It’s always good for the child if there is Country School, so when parents ask for dren. Every school applies a different do on the weekends, if they like sports an open, honest dialogue when we meet advice on how to prepare their child for weight to its importance. and play a musical instrument, where with parents,” said Steve Birdsall, direc- private school admissions interviews, Lisa Shambaugh, the director of they have traveled, what books they like, tor of admissions and financial aid at she shares a favorite story. admission at St. Andrew’s Episcopal their favorite foods, and more. The McDonogh School, a coed pre-K-12 “A few years ago, we had a very good School, a coed pre-k-12 school in Poto- Students are usually interviewed school in Owings Mills. student and lacrosse player I inter- mac, said she is surprised in every inter- alone. “Children are more willing to North agreed: “Be realistic about viewed who wanted to start in our ninth view. “Even if the children are prepared open up if their parents are not there,” what makes your child tick and what grade,” said North, an upper school ad- by their parents, the children speak in Wootton said. might be challenging. Don’t say she is missions associate and the ninth-grade their authentic voice when they are with Sometimes, good interviews start an excellent reader if she is not.” academic dean at the Baltimore school us,” she said. “There is a lot more to ev- with a simple question from the stu- Ask many questions: Parents usually for girls. “In the interview, I thought ery child than what is on the application dent. “Many ask about our lunches, talk about their child’s academic expe- we’d talk mostly about lacrosse, but she and tests.” and that usually starts a conversation,” rience and what they expect from a new talked with equal passion about Shake- Private school officials say parents Wootton said. school. What are the goals of the child and speare. She became a great student and and students can expect the following, Finally, North suggests practicing parents? What is the orientation process athlete here.” and offer some advice: handshakes and eye contact. “These are and how are students integrated in the North and other admissions profes- skills that get lost today,” she said. school? What is the level of communica- sionals across the state say interviews STUDENT INTERVIEWS But don’t over-prepare: Wendy Sturg- tion between parents and the school? like that, with a personal twist, help Get your child ready: At Glenelg es, the assistant director of admissions “Tell the school what you are looking make students stand out. “Information Country School, a coed pre-K-12 school at the Bullis School, a coed schools for about a special interest like Shakespeare in Ellicott City, Karen Wootton, the di- grades 2-12 in Potomac, said she does for and be sure it has what you and your would likely not appear on an applica- rector of admission and financial aid, not want children to feel like it’s a make- child want,” Wootton said. tion,” North said. “It’s always a good in- calls the students’ visiting day an im- or-break job interview. “We want to get “It’s a great opportunity for both par- terview when students talk about what portant component of the admissions to know them. There are no curveball ties to ask specific questions and deter- matters in their heart.” process. Her advice echoes the advice questions.” mine whether a school is the right fit for Private school officials are starting of other admission officials: Gently pre- Once they relax, children frequently ask the child,” Shambaugh agreed. the 2017-18 application season, which pare the child. about what matters to them: homework, The application process should be a usually runs from fall into winter. “It’s great if they have a few questions if the teachers and students are nice, and positive experience for the child, North There are applications, transcripts, prepared ahead of time,” she said, not- extracurricular activities, among other said. “Not only are you looking at schools, teacher recommendations, and admis- ing the children can learn a lot by read- questions. “They are honest about what but your child will grow through the in- sions testing, but schools most look ing a school website. “But what’s most they are thinking,” Sturges said. teraction with the people at the schools. forward to getting to know the stu- important is telling the interviewers It’s important, this is a family decision.” 3 4 THEDAILYRECORD.COM Primary & Secondary School Guide 2016 September 2016 Parents clubs: Get involved — you won’t embarrass your kid! BY RACHEL WALLACH Special to The Daily Record Behind all the bull roasts, the silent auctions, and the teacher appreciation breakfasts are a bunch of parents who really like hanging out together. “I love the friendships I’ve built. It’s an opportunity to make connections, meet people, share stories, and establish friendships that carry on way beyond graduation,” says Barbara Romagnano, president of the Mothers’ Club at Mercy High School in Baltimore. Parents’ groups: Most private and pa- rochial schools have them in one form or another. They host events and chap- erone dances, raise funds for schools, and build community between schools and families. Parents may join to be part of their child’s education, to find friends, or to support the school. They often come away with lifelong friendships, and closer connections with their kids. Romagnano signed up for the Moth- ers’ Club eight years ago, when her oldest daughter (now a senior in college) en- tered Mercy. But even when her kids— her youngest daughter is a senior there now, and her son just graduated from college—were in elementary school, she’d always been involved. Besides getting to know the parents of her kids’ friends, she says family engagement lets your child know you’re connected to her school and that you want to know what’s going on. “It’s kind of part of your child’s Parents at The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland volunteer at an annual fundraising raffle. Photo courtesy of The Boy’s Latin School of Maryland education,” she says. Priddy says her kids—she also has March was already under way in Au- munity, Tilley says being involved means Shannon Priddy, Parents Association a daughter who just graduated from gust—she says parents can choose any parents are more willing to share ideas president at Bullis School in Potomac, Bullis and a son in the 8th grade—like level of involvement to fit their sched- and concerns, and the school benefits says her involvement makes her feel seeing her involved in their school, and ules, from sending a few emails to chair- from that input.