Best private high schools in Maryland
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Maryland using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.
#30. West Nottingham Academy
- Location: Colora, MD
- Enrollment: 95 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#29. Indian Creek School
- Location: Crownsville, MD
- Enrollment: 534 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#28. Severn School
- Location: Severna Park, MD
- Enrollment: 894 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#27. Washington Waldorf School
- Location: Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 274 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#26. The Salisbury School
- Location: Salisbury, MD
- Enrollment: 377 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#25. Barrie School
- Location: Silver Spring, MD
- Enrollment: 364 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#24. The Calverton School
- Location: Huntingtown, MD
- Enrollment: 273 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#23. St. Paul's School for Boys
- Location: Brooklandville, MD
- Enrollment: 530 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#22. German International School Washington D.C.
- Location: Potomac, MD
- Enrollment: 555 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#21. The Academy of the Holy Cross
- Location: Kensington, MD
- Enrollment: 390 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#20. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
- Location: Olney, MD
- Enrollment: 1,255 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#19. Sandy Spring Friends School
- Location: Sandy Spring, MD
- Enrollment: 676 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#18. Saint James School
- Location: Hagerstown, MD
- Enrollment: 240 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#17. Friends School of Baltimore
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Enrollment: 790 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#16. Roland Park Country School
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Enrollment: 596 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#15. Glenelg Country School
- Location: Ellicott City, MD
- Enrollment: 761 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#14. Garrison Forest School
- Location: Owings Mills, MD
- Enrollment: 513 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#13. St. Andrew's Episcopal School
- Location: Potomac, MD
- Enrollment: 707 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#12. The Park School of Baltimore
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Enrollment: 856 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#11. McDonogh School
- Location: Owings Mills, MD
- Enrollment: 1,455 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#10. Bullis School
- Location: Potomac, MD
- Enrollment: 1,023 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#9. Key School
- Location: Annapolis, MD
- Enrollment: 660 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#8. Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
- Location: Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 757 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#7. St. Timothy's School
- Location: Stevenson, MD
- Enrollment: 175 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#6. Rochambeau The French International School
- Location: Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 1,149 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#5. Georgetown Preparatory School
- Location: North Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 506 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#4. Gilman School
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Enrollment: 1,016 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. Landon School
- Location: Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 700 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. The Bryn Mawr School
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Enrollment: 713 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Holton-Arms School
- Location: Bethesda, MD
- Enrollment: 665 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.