Our neighborhood school is a good middle school but it is HUGE! 1200 students in 3 grades. No thanks. My kid would be lost there. One of the reasons I like Gilman is that each student has an advisor who meets with them weekly. My son needs that. Homeroom in middle school is with 30+ other kids and it is just a place to go before classes start.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP. Unfortunately, we live in Balt. County so my son wouldn't qualify for the $$ in the link you provided.

OP, Baltimore County has many excellent schools. As a back up, I would consider applying to some of the magnet schools and/or applying to attend an out of district school (there are always kids at are very well regarded elementary who have successful done this). I believe the County will consider applications for any school that is under capacity. Dumbarton in Towson is an excellent school, and is slightly under capacity. I'm sure there are others. Not trying to dissuade you from applying to privates, just suggestions for a back up plan in case the aid doesn't work out the way you would like.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PPs. My DS is very bright and tests well in his current school. I'm applying for middle school for next year. He is Hispanic so maybe the minority status might help? I could probably afford around $7,000 or so but I would need to find a PT job to pay for it. So many of the schools state that they value diversity but how does that apply to economic diversity if they expect parents to be able to afford $10K or more per year even with a FA award. So far, it looks like Gilman and McDonogh have the largest endowments. Any other suggestions?

Yep, for the Balt area, those are the best endowed -- also Park -- Friends gives much less FA.

Definitely try Gilman. I love the school but they are hurting for Latino representation and may be willing and able to pay for the pleasure! Good luck OP! You may be pleasantly surprised!

Thanks PP. Unfortunately, we live in Balt. County so my son wouldn't qualify for the $$ in the link you provided.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PPs. My DS is very bright and tests well in his current school. I'm applying for middle school for next year. He is Hispanic so maybe the minority status might help? I could probably afford around $7,000 or so but I would need to find a PT job to pay for it. So many of the schools state that they value diversity but how does that apply to economic diversity if they expect parents to be able to afford $10K or more per year even with a FA award. So far, it looks like Gilman and McDonogh have the largest endowments. Any other suggestions?

Those two have the largest endowments in Baltimore and while I don't know it for a fact, I believe that there is some one hundred percent aid for the right students, gilman in particular has a history of taking a few talented kids from some of Baltimore's worst neighborhoods but I would also expect there is a fair amount of competition for those spots. Athletic ability would be a huge plus, particularly for McDonogh.
I'd also look at Park, Loyola, Calvert Hall, Friends, and St. Pauls. You may want to contact this organization, although they only provide partial scholarships, http://csfbaltimore.org

My parents are retired and help out with after-care and summer childcare. My child plays rec soccer which is only around $100/year. I buy clothes mostly from the consignment store and hand me downs from my neighbor. I pay $30/year for the dental visits. We don't really have many other expenses other than rent, food, car insurance.

Remember all of the associated costs as well. Even if you do not have fees for books or school trips or activities, you will need some type of childcare for breaks and summer if you need to work. You may plan on having enrichment classes or sports. Dentist? New clothes? Even with aid, many families are stretched.

Thanks PP but we don't live in DC (and I don't think we would qualify).

http://www.sanmigueldc.org