Howard County family considering a few Baltimore privates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DC is attending MS of one of the three (LB, CH and McD) originally mentioned. There are others to consider as well to find the right fit. Boys' Latin of Baltimore and St. Paul's Schools (Brooklandville). You mentioned OLGC which has the IB Diploma program - St. Paul's apparently is unfortunately phasing it out.

I have heard this about St. Paul’s any reasoning behind it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Calvert Hall and Loyola are good if you want a catholic school or if your alternative is a performing Baltimore public. Neither is going to offer a better education than a Howard county public. The class sizes aren’t going to be smaller.

Low performing Baltimore public

It may be better for OP's kid - which is the question. What are the class sizes in a howard county public? 30 students in each class? All of these will be smaller than that if that is important to OP.

Calvert Hall has 1250 kids in just high school. Loyola's high school is half the size. Every other Baltimore private is about a quarter of the size.

Calvert Hall is a bigger school, but smaller than nearby public schools. And the class sizes are not big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Calvert Hall and Loyola are good if you want a catholic school or if your alternative is a performing Baltimore public. Neither is going to offer a better education than a Howard county public. The class sizes aren’t going to be smaller.

Low performing Baltimore public

It may be better for OP's kid - which is the question. What are the class sizes in a howard county public? 30 students in each class? All of these will be smaller than that if that is important to OP.

Calvert Hall has 1250 kids in just high school. Loyola's high school is half the size. Every other Baltimore private is about a quarter of the size.

Calvert Hall is a bigger school, but smaller than nearby public schools. And the class sizes are not big.

It’s the same size as many public schools. Its college matriculation is similar to a public school, especially controlling for athletic recruits. It’s a good school, but far more similar to a good public school than other private options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC is attending MS of one of the three (LB, CH and McD) originally mentioned. There are others to consider as well to find the right fit. Boys' Latin of Baltimore and St. Paul's Schools (Brooklandville). You mentioned OLGC which has the IB Diploma program - St. Paul's apparently is unfortunately phasing it out.

I have heard this about St. Paul’s any reasoning behind it?

Yes - they aren’t preparing boys to pass. DS graduated in past 5 years. About 28 kids were full diploma candidates but only 4 actually got the diploma. It was that summer that the grad announced discontinuation. It’s too bad - was a great program and instead of trying to improve academics, the school simply got rid of classes with hard, standardized tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC is attending MS of one of the three (LB, CH and McD) originally mentioned. There are others to consider as well to find the right fit. Boys' Latin of Baltimore and St. Paul's Schools (Brooklandville). You mentioned OLGC which has the IB Diploma program - St. Paul's apparently is unfortunately phasing it out.

I have heard this about St. Paul’s any reasoning behind it?

Yes - they aren’t preparing boys to pass. DS graduated in past 5 years. About 28 kids were full diploma candidates but only 4 actually got the diploma. It was that summer that the grad announced discontinuation. It’s too bad - was a great program and instead of trying to improve academics, the school simply got rid of classes with hard, standardized tests.

That’s really a shame. My son graduated from SP about 10 years ago and the IB Program was fantastic preparation for success in college

It’s also a shock that a school that had so many long-tenured teacher-coaches has seen such huge turnover in a decade. Son says the College Counselor is literally the only teacher or staff member he still knows in the Upper School. Middle School has done better, I think that’s the best part of the school

[Anonymous]

FWIW - when we looked for a 6-12 school and asked St. Paul's about the status of the IB program we never got a response from admissions. That and cost vs other options we chose LB. Never bothered applying to CHall. I believe LB still has a bus route to Howard Co. and a late bus also. https://loyolablakefield.myschoolapp.com/page/transportation?siteId=1013&ssl=1

[Anonymous]

My kids went to the trischools, but have to note whatever changes they are making at Saint Paul’s seem to be working, the school is significantly more popular than last few years than it was previously, especially for upper school admissions.

[Anonymous]

Love the discipline at CH, which gets bad rap bc less expensive and therefore much more diverse. It was phone-free YEARS before the trischools. And those boys are focused and respectful of teachers and classmates. They aren’t going to “top” schools but that’s partly bc these are not kids able to afford $100k/yr or even $60k/yr. And they are very well prepared.

In contrast, kids at St Paul’s can be remarkably disrespectful of teachers. It is a shame as IB program is really great.

[Anonymous]

McDonogh does have a Howard County bus route included in tuition. I know several students who commute from Howard County, so transportation is definitely possible.

Of the three schools mentioned, McDonogh would be the only one I would seriously consider, though that’s obviously a personal opinion. If cost is a major factor and you’re primarily looking at Catholic schools for financial reasons, I would also encourage you to explore Baltimore’s independent schools. Many offer substantial financial aid, and I know families with strong incomes who still receive assistance.

One helpful exercise is to look at each school’s senior college acceptance Instagram account. While there are many paths to success, the independent schools generally have stronger college placement results than most local Catholic schools.

For context, I’m a Baltimore City resident and a graduate of New York Catholic schools. In my view, the strongest reasons to choose a Catholic high school are if faith-based education is important to your family or if you’re seeking a more affordable private-school option. Many families also choose Catholic schools when they have multiple children.

My daughter attended a well respected Baltimore city Catholic school through lower school, and it was a wonderful experience with strong academic fundamentals and a great community. We chose to move her to an independent school for middle school, and many of her classmates ultimately made the same transition either in middle or in high school.

I also wouldn’t choose a school that requires a long daily commute if comparable options are available closer to home. If transportation is the concern, services such as Kangaroo Coach and other private bus providers serve many Baltimore-area private schools.

Based on what you’ve shared, I would also take a look at Saint Paul’s. Unless your son has specific learning needs that make its programs especially appealing, I would probably prioritize McDonogh or Saint Paul’s over Boys’ Latin.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies. Cost isn't a concern, we are moreso concerned about distance, especially since he plays a sport. Mcdonogh's boarding program alleviates this issue, but he likes the sports media club at Loyola Blakefield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies. Cost isn't a concern, we are moreso concerned about distance, especially since he plays a sport. Mcdonogh's boarding program alleviates this issue, but he likes the sports media club at Loyola Blakefield.

Every independent has sports media programs, there is nothing special about Loyola in that respect.

You are right to be concerned about distance. That shoud be a big factor.

[Anonymous]

Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my children attend the same Baltimore independent school, and we’ve been full-pay families throughout. We did not apply for financial aid for college for my son, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of merit aid he received. He’s a STEM-focused student headed to a top computer science program, and despite being more of an A-/B+ student than a straight-A student, his strong SAT scores, leadership, and STEM accomplishments resulted in substantial merit offers from several universities.
I personally would not choose a Catholic high school for my children. The college outcomes and academic environment simply did not align with what I was seeking.
I would also be hesitant about Boys’ Latin. In my experience, the culture seemed rougher than what I was looking for, and I was not particularly impressed with the overall college placement results.
As for McDonogh, I understand why many families love it, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. The community felt more suburban and traditionally conservative than some of the other independent schools we considered. Many families appeared to come from successful blue-collar and business backgrounds, which is perfectly respectable, but it created a culture that felt different from what we were seeking academically and socially. I also felt that many of the most notable college outcomes were tied to recruited athletes rather than the broader student body. I had similar feelings about Saint Paul's. I remember going to a birthday party at a nature center and asking if my friends son friends were in special ed. The kids were unremarkable and the parents seemed more like somebody I would have waited on me in a restaurant or help me with my mortgage. So I guess what I'm trying to say is the parents at these two county schools seem to be more aspirational and less cultured than a lot of the other independent schools. I hope that doesn't sound awful. You know the type of parents; they live in mcmansions in the county, but they don't know who niche is or the pi is a mathematical thing and not something you eat.
If I were advising a family prioritizing academics and college placement, I would encourage them to look closely at Park and Gilman. Both schools offer strong academic programs, and I was more impressed by the overall educational environment and college outcomes. Park also has its own school bus that goes back-and-forth to Howard County.


Of course, every child is different. The best school is the one that matches your child’s personality, interests, and goals. These are simply my personal impressions after visiting schools, reviewing college matriculation lists, and interacting with families over the years.

Front runner for the most obnoxious post of the year.

Presumably that poster is a parent at Park or Gilman. What an absolute embarrassment to those schools.

It’s not Gilman, they don’t give merit.