Annapolis elementary schools -- public or non-religious private

[Anonymous]

A good friend recently moved to Annapolis and is pregnant. They were open to moving again for good schools but the current market makes that scary. She says the schools in Annapolis are not good from what she can see but doesn't have friend or resources in the area. We are both skeptical of Great Schools kinds of resources.

Any first hand suggestions or recommended trusted resources.

[Anonymous]

What school is she feeding into? Our dd went to Hillsmere and we were happy but moved for middle school and would not have done Annapolis High either. But we know plenty that stayed for middle and high and their children have flourished. I was extremely active on the elementary level. I think West Annapolis and Rolling Knolls are fine also for elementary with Annapolis, Georgetown East and Germantown rounding out the list. But have your friend visit and maybe attend a PTA meeting.

The rest I would not do but elementary is still 5 years away so things can change.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. She said Georgetown East is where they are zoned.

[Anonymous]

If you see this, have her visit the school once they get closer to enrolling.

I forgot to mention that the privates aren’t bad but they aren’t DC privates. Key is good and will be nearby to them. I know you said non-religious but St. Anne’s, near them too is good. We planned to send our dd there but went with Hillsmere and she did fine. Also, St. Martins is good, almost did them for middle school but moved instead, very small school. Also, St. Andrews on route 2 is excellent.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about Georgetown East, but I have several friends with kids in Annapolis Middle and HS IB programs who are loving it. I wouldn't write them off at all.
I have a 4th grader in a different AACPS elementary school feeder, and we're seriously considering Annapolis MS IB. I've been really happy with the AACPS elementary curriculum, and I think they handled last year as well as can be expected.

If she's on facebook, tell her to join the annapolis moms facebook group. It's a pretty large group and she'll get a wide variety of opinions.

As for privates, there aren't nearly as many options as in Baltimore or DC, but Key School, Indian Creek, and Severn are the three non-religious ones, all PK - 12. They are three VERY different schools, so she'll probably like one more than the others.

As a PP said, St. Annes, St. Martins, and St. Andrews are all great options, and all pretty similar to each other (PK - 8, very small, progressive-ish, warm nurturing communities). They are technically religious, but worth considering.

Then there's St Mary's Catholic School and a few Christian schools - I wouldn't consider any of them if she wants to avoid religious schools.

Happy to answer any specific questions.

[Anonymous]

Oh... PP again...

Just to clarify, the St Martin's we're talking about here is St Martin's Lutheran School and the St. Andrew's we're talking about is St Andrew's United Methodist Day School.

There's a catholic St Andrew's in Annapolis as well, but that just has a pre-school. There's also an Episcopalian St Martin's in Severna Park, but that's probably too far for your friend.

Just didn't want you to get confused if you googled.

[Anonymous]

We are really loving Indian Creek School in Crownsville for elementary.

[Anonymous]

If she doesn't want to pay for privates for the entire K-12 process have her move just a little west. Davidsonville is an amazing area and only 10 mins to Annapolis. Or Edgewater/Central elementary. Or up to severna park.

It's likely cheaper for her to move vs pay for private school for 13 years.

[Anonymous]

She should not make any decisions on where to move right now. Things can change a lot in 5+ years. Districts can move boundaries, they may determine their child needs a special education environment etc, they may need to move out of the area because of jobs.
If they are happy where they are now, they should just stay put.

[Anonymous]

She should check out Indian Creek for a non religious private school. They do sliding scale tuition.