Best Privates in Annapolis

[Anonymous]

I have an 8th grader at an AACo private elementary, so we’re deep into the process for AAco high schools now.

You didn’t say the grade range, which makes a difference.
The big k-12s are the three people have mentioned - Severn, ICS, and Key. They are three *very* different schools. I think a kid can get a great education at any of them, but it’s unlikely all three are a good fit for your family.
If you’re considering a K-8, throw in St Anne’s, St Andrews, and St Martins. They’re the primary non-Catholic grade school options. All will have good academics and set you up well for the k-12 schools or Spalding for high school.
The people who go to Annapolis Area Christina seem to love it, but obviously only good if you’re looking for an explicitly Christian school.

Avoid St Mary’s. I personally know multiple families who have left due to the toxic culture there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the area and Severn was regarded as the best. My general impression was that Indian Creek was the kids that couldn’t get into Severn.

Severn has a more competitive vibe in all aspects - academic, social, sports, and activities, which is good and bad. Indian Creek is smaller and more welcoming, if not as competitive as Severn.

ICS and Severn are very different schools.
I've also noticed that families deciding between ICS and Severn are white with a more mixed bag, but mostly non-white families choosing between ICS and Key.

Quoting to add that I agree with you and not PP who said ICS was for kids that couldn't get into Severn. Maybe back in the day, but I dont believe that they are attracting overlapping pools as much these days.

PP that said ICS is for kids who couldn’t get in Severn, I believe you and nice to hear the school pools have evened out. My experience is well over 15 years ago at this point for clarity. I also know people that went to St. Mary’s too which I haven’t seen mentioned much yet.

15 years ago the high school would have been *brand* new, right? Since then they’ve combine campuses and really developed a lot.
My son is at a different school that’s been mentioned, but I was really impressed by ICS.

[Anonymous]

Depending on your kids’ ages and interests, look into the AACPS magnet programs too. Apex Arts, in particular, is truly outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grader at an AACo private elementary, so we’re deep into the process for AAco high schools now.

You didn’t say the grade range, which makes a difference.
The big k-12s are the three people have mentioned - Severn, ICS, and Key. They are three *very* different schools. I think a kid can get a great education at any of them, but it’s unlikely all three are a good fit for your family.
If you’re considering a K-8, throw in St Anne’s, St Andrews, and St Martins. They’re the primary non-Catholic grade school options. All will have good academics and set you up well for the k-12 schools or Spalding for high school.
The people who go to Annapolis Area Christina seem to love it, but obviously only good if you’re looking for an explicitly Christian school.

Avoid St Mary’s. I personally know multiple families who have left due to the toxic culture there.

“Toxic” is a word commonly used by nutcases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grader at an AACo private elementary, so we’re deep into the process for AAco high schools now.

You didn’t say the grade range, which makes a difference.
The big k-12s are the three people have mentioned - Severn, ICS, and Key. They are three *very* different schools. I think a kid can get a great education at any of them, but it’s unlikely all three are a good fit for your family.
If you’re considering a K-8, throw in St Anne’s, St Andrews, and St Martins. They’re the primary non-Catholic grade school options. All will have good academics and set you up well for the k-12 schools or Spalding for high school.
The people who go to Annapolis Area Christina seem to love it, but obviously only good if you’re looking for an explicitly Christian school.

Avoid St Mary’s. I personally know multiple families who have left due to the toxic culture there.

“Toxic” is a word commonly used by nutcases.

OK. Well, those "nutcases" are now thriving at some of the other schools mentioned in this thread. But thanks for demonstrating my point so clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

20% is significantly higher than representative population percentage.

Not saying AA Co. is terribly diverse, but no, this is not accurate.

White (non-Hispanic) - 65.1%
AA - 19.1%
Hispanic - 9%
Asian - 4.5%

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/annearundelcountymaryland

[Anonymous]

Sorry, previous reply was formatted funny.


Not saying AA Co. is terribly diverse, but no, this is not accurate.

White (non-Hispanic) - 65.1%
AA - 19.1%
Hispanic - 9%
Asian - 4.5%

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/annearundelcountymaryland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grader at an AACo private elementary, so we’re deep into the process for AAco high schools now.

You didn’t say the grade range, which makes a difference.
The big k-12s are the three people have mentioned - Severn, ICS, and Key. They are three *very* different schools. I think a kid can get a great education at any of them, but it’s unlikely all three are a good fit for your family.
If you’re considering a K-8, throw in St Anne’s, St Andrews, and St Martins. They’re the primary non-Catholic grade school options. All will have good academics and set you up well for the k-12 schools or Spalding for high school.
The people who go to Annapolis Area Christina seem to love it, but obviously only good if you’re looking for an explicitly Christian school.

Avoid St Mary’s. I personally know multiple families who have left due to the toxic culture there.

“Toxic” is a word commonly used by nutcases.

OK. Well, those "nutcases" are now thriving at some of the other schools mentioned in this thread. But thanks for demonstrating my point so clearly.

[Anonymous]

Spalding or St Mary’s DD got accepted to both have trouble making a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent: Key School - It’s close to Annapolis proper. Indian Creek also is good, it’s a little farther out though. Severn is okay, but is going to be about 20 min from Annapolis.

Catholic - St. Mary’s - downtown

Key has issues do a google search.
Indian creek poor leadership it’s all about nepotism there with teachers and administrators.
St. Anne’s lots of turn over with teachers. Poor leadership.

Best bet is Severn or St Mary’s.

Key is in great shape. What are you talking about, the 1970s sex scanda that they have done a ton to address openly and fairly?

I was thinking the same thing. What recent issues has the Key School had? When I think of Annapolis private schools, I think of Key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent: Key School - It’s close to Annapolis proper. Indian Creek also is good, it’s a little farther out though. Severn is okay, but is going to be about 20 min from Annapolis.

Catholic - St. Mary’s - downtown

Key has issues do a google search.
Indian creek poor leadership it’s all about nepotism there with teachers and administrators.
St. Anne’s lots of turn over with teachers. Poor leadership.

Best bet is Severn or St Mary’s.

Key is in great shape. What are you talking about, the 1970s sex scanda that they have done a ton to address openly and fairly?

I was thinking the same thing. What recent issues has the Key School had? When I think of Annapolis private schools, I think of Key.

One recent example thing was a teacher that lived down the street selling info to Russia.

Honestly for what you pay there facilities are awful.

[Anonymous]

St Mary's - Athletic, Cliquey and the least rigorous private. If your kid is not athletic and in the "in crowd" - it can be a rough 4 years as the kids can be mean. If your is athletic and socially tough (and not looking for academic rigor)

Archbishop Spalding - not in Annapolis but many kids in Annapolis go there who may have considered St. Mary's. More of a big school feel than St. Mary's - more academic opportunities in STEM, athletic power house and kids seem nicer.

Severn - most rigorous of all the schools; athletic but particularly great for elite sports (sailing, rowing etc)

Indian Creek - better for kids with different learning styles or needing a bit more attention; a very kind school.

Key - one of the top schools, not sure as rigorous as Severn - could be. Extremely liberal which can be a positive or negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grader at an AACo private elementary, so we’re deep into the process for AAco high schools now.

You didn’t say the grade range, which makes a difference.
The big k-12s are the three people have mentioned - Severn, ICS, and Key. They are three *very* different schools. I think a kid can get a great education at any of them, but it’s unlikely all three are a good fit for your family.
If you’re considering a K-8, throw in St Anne’s, St Andrews, and St Martins. They’re the primary non-Catholic grade school options. All will have good academics and set you up well for the k-12 schools or Spalding for high school.
The people who go to Annapolis Area Christina seem to love it, but obviously only good if you’re looking for an explicitly Christian school.

Avoid St Mary’s. I personally know multiple families who have left due to the toxic culture there.

We left for that reasons - and i know tons also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spalding or St Mary’s DD got accepted to both have trouble making a decision.

It depends on the specifics of your kid. Are they interested in Stem? An athlete and if so what sport and how good? My kids have gone to both and we know tons of families at both.
Agree with PP that St. Mary's can be toxic and there are tons of families who will agree. But I also know families who love it and think it's the perfect school.
What I can also say, and I've heard many parents say, is I've never heard anyone complain about Spalding. Everyone who goes there loves it and their parents do as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent: Key School - It’s close to Annapolis proper. Indian Creek also is good, it’s a little farther out though. Severn is okay, but is going to be about 20 min from Annapolis.

Catholic - St. Mary’s - downtown

Key has issues do a google search.
Indian creek poor leadership it’s all about nepotism there with teachers and administrators.
St. Anne’s lots of turn over with teachers. Poor leadership.

Best bet is Severn or St Mary’s.

Key is in great shape. What are you talking about, the 1970s sex scanda that they have done a ton to address openly and fairly?

I was thinking the same thing. What recent issues has the Key School had? When I think of Annapolis private schools, I think of Key.

One recent example thing was a teacher that lived down the street selling info to Russia.

Honestly for what you pay there facilities are awful.

Come on - how is the idiotic teacher and her husband selling sub secrets anything that Key can control?? (not Russia, some S American country)