Baltimore Area Private Schools

[Anonymous]

We are applying for McDonogh, St. Paul's, Park School, and Gerstell Academy for middle school for my DC. Any insights for parents that have middle school children at any of the mentioned schools?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs, and I am surprised that you'd be applying to both McDonogh and and Park; they seem extremely different. McDonogh is more traditional and disciplined, while Park is much more touchy-feely-hang-out-by-the-lake. I went to public school but had many peers at both of these schools, and those were their well-established reputations.

[Anonymous]

I also grew up in Baltimore and now live in VA. Park is pretty liberal and progressive so make sure you take a tour, talk to the teachers and students before you make a decision. It is a great school but parents need to know what type of education it is. It is pretty opposite of St. Paul's and McDonough which was much more traditional private schools. My friend used to teach at Gerstell but left after a year b/c it was really, really conservative and too traditional for her as a teacher.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to find the right school for my son. He is very creative and talented in arts, music, and writing and that is why I was looking into Park. He is also very advanced in math and reading. That is why I am not sure which is the best direction for him. He is very quiet and introverted and I think that Gerstell with its Leadership program would help him come out of his shell. They are all very different but I just want the on that is the right fit for him and can help him stive toward his highest potential.

I have two kid at Gerstell already in the lower school. They love it there. It is very traditional but not that rigid as I was afraid. I was pleasently surprised ant how whe lower school is very nurturing and fun. I think the middle school is very different though. It is much more rigourous.

We went to visit all of the schools mentioned and found that he liked differnt things about each of them. Park school was to most liberal. It may have been a bit to liberal for my liking when I saw the Gay and Lesbian Middle School Alliance Club. What do middle school students know about relationships let alone same sex relationships. I though that was taking things a bit to far. I loved the campus and the setting as with McDOnogh. He is going to shadow at all 4 schools to see which one he likes the most.

[Anonymous]

Are you looking at Gilman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking at Gilman?

That commute is a bit much for me. I am in Carroll County.