Glenelg Country School Manor House, Ellicott City, MD

Living in Howard County Maryland means that the bar is set relatively high for public schools.  By many standards, Maryland and Massachusetts have the best schools in the USA.  And within Maryland, the two top contenders are Montgomery County Public Schools and Howard County Public Schools.  So this is to say that Howard County's standard is among the best schools in the country.  Still, to many parents there are a multitude of issues about both Howard and Montgomery County Public Schools that drive them to look for alternatives.


For some there's just general disagreement with public school education.  This usually includes the feeling that the No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top has taken the creativity and real learning out of schools, and substituted it with test preparation.  For others, they worry about the quality of teaching or they believe there is a lack of individualized attention for every kid, in the various forms that might take.  Finally, there are people who realize that although the aggregate of Howard County Education is relatively high quality in comparison to other jurisdictions in the state and country, individual public schools and classes fail to meet important standards.

So what are the private school options if you're in Howard County?  Here are a few of the options I know of.  This list of private schools is not meant to contain every private school in the county. By the way, if your child is younger than age 5, see my list of preschools.

Unaffiliated Independent Schools

Glenelg Country School - This is a preschool through High School College Prep School founded in 1954.   Great academics, small class sizes and very nice campus on 87 acres of wooded land in Ellicott City.  Glenelg is an excellent school with good academics and rich extra curricular activities.  It is probably the best and largest independent school in Howard County, and definitely one of the best in Maryland.  Here is a link to the Glenelg tuition and financial aid information page.  

A very diverse group of kids come from all over the area including Silver Spring and Washington DC to attend this school. Bus transportation has stops all over as close as Catonsville and Olney and as far away as Mount Airy, Gaithersburg, and Odenton (Map of bus stops for 2015-2016 school year).  If you are considering a private school in Howard County, definitely see this one.  Also, if you have young children (ages 2-5), have a look at the Early Enrichment programs they offer and for older kids, have a look at the high quality summer camps.

Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School Campus in Columbia, MD Near Route 29 at Route 32.

Columbia Academy -   I have visited the pre-K center in Fulton and the main campus in Columbia--Very nice facilities.  Also, I know of a few parents and their children who really like it. Class sizes are very small.  As the name suggests, the main campus is in Columbia although they have several other preschool centers around Howard County.  Tuition is reasonable in the $10,000 dollar range and includes before care from 6:30am (after care until 6:30pm is around $2,000 extra).  They offer preschool through 8th grade.  There is bus service for this school.

McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD

McDonogh School (in Baltimore County) - Very awesome school founded in 1873.  Bus transportation is available--they have buses that come to Howard County to pick kids up.  Great academics, huge pool, stables...wow!  Boarding is available for high school level students.  Here is a link to their tuition page.

Montessori Schools

There are several of varying quality in our area, I found it hard to tell the good ones from the not so good ones.

Love of Learning school in Columbia I have been told by several parents that this school is very good.  Comments welcome.

Bryant Woods - Another Montessori school that I have heard very good things about.  In Columbia. No before or after care (school hours from 8:45-3:45).

Columbia Montessori - Looks like it has some very good programs.

Mater Amoris - This school is in Olny, but not far from Howard County.  Looks like its programs are very good--I have heard positive things and seems like it may be worth the trip for some parents.  Goes up to sixth grade.

Children's Manor Montessori School - Locations in Columbia and Ellicott City.  Goes up to 6th Grade.

Christian / Catholic Schools

Sandy Spring Friends School - The Friends know how to teach.  If you're comfortable in a Quaker atmosphere, this place is definitely great, and it certainly attracts a nice bunch of people.  Even though it isn't in Howard County, it isn't that far out of the way either.  I have heard very good things about this school.  BTW, they do offer boarding for high school level students.  Here is the Sandy Spring Friends school tuition information page.   Some bus transportation is available. (There is another Friends School in College Park)

St. Louis School - Catholic K-8 education- Blue Ribbon school.   I have heard good things about it. Here is their tuition information, the rates are significantly cheaper than the independent schools listed above.

Trinity School - K-8 Catholic School.  No bus service provided. Here is their tuition and fee schedule.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help - K-8 Catholic school.  Tuition information is here.

Bethel Christian Academy- pre-K3-8th grade in Savage / Jessup.  I don't know anyone who goes to this school but I do know one of the teachers and she speaks highly of it.  Class sizes vary.  Here is their tuition information.

St. John's Parish Day School - k-5 Episcopal school in Ellicott City. Here is their tuition information.

Atholton Adventist Academy -  pre-K - 10th Grade Seventh Day Adventist education.  Tuition information here.

St. Augustine Catholic School  Tuition and fees are low at this pre-k to grade 8 Catholic school in Elkridge.

Special Needs

Compass Academy -  Compass Academy in Halethorp is a private, non-profit school for children in grades 1-12, and serves bright students with average to above average cognitive ability that struggle with learning and social skills differences. These include: speech and language disabilities, specific learning differences, ADD/ADHD, and/or high-functioning Autism Spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s and PDD-NOS.

High Road Academy - In North Laurel, this is a school for kids with specific types of learning disabilities.  In order to attend, students must be referred by the public school system Grades 3-12.

Phillips School Laurel - In North Laurel, this school is for various special needs kids.  Grades 3-12.

Finding Out More About These Private Schools

All of these schools offer days when you can visit and see how classes are run.  You may also want to see if they have any public activities or summer camps that you can take part in to see how you like the school.

What's your opinion?  Is there a school that I missed here? Please let me know in the comments section below!

Looking for a place to have a birthday party? See my list of over 35 birthday venues in Howard County, MD and more birthday ideas in Anne Arundel County. Also, see my list of educational gift ideas for advanced children.