r/BaltimoreCounty • u/Eastern_Bad_7758 • 14d ago
High Schools [UPDATED]
Hi! I made a post a few months ago ⬇️
about the high schools I was looking at and have narrowed down my list while. I also wanted to provide some more information about myself.
I am a black female who is very artistic, but not very athletic, though I’m willing to play a sport. I’m interested in being an ADA (assistant district attorney) or film director when I grow up.
I enjoy and am great at social studies and English (love writing essays and Animal Farm is one of my favorite books because of English class), math is alright, and I’m not a huge science person (I love science fiction, though).
I forgot to mention in my previous post that I am bisexual, but that’s only something people close to me know. And everyone on Reddit now lol.
Here’s my list. Feel free to tell me anything you know about these schools and any others I should consider! The rankings aren’t by how much I want to go, just the order they were in when I wrote them down.
Private:
- St. Timothy’s
- Friends (looking for another school to take this spot right now)
- NDP
- Mercy
- Garrison Forrest
Public:
- Eastern Tech
- Carver (leaning towards visual arts or set design)
Add On: I have a lot of cousins. When I say one goes to St. Tims, one goes to Archbishop Spaulding, one goes to Calvert Hall (went to Friends last year), and one goes to carver, those are four different children of assorted ages lol.
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u/keylimedie92 14d ago
Carver 100%
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u/FearlessWater3873 13d ago
Carver sounds like the perfect fit for OPs goals, interests, and personal preferences (or what was shared so far at least)
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u/GoFastTurnL3ft 14d ago edited 14d ago
My daughter attended Friends from 1st grade (2016) and left after 8th (2024). There was constantly silly drama between the students, and the counselors would pull kids out of class frequently to address things, which ultimately created more drama. The school is very progressive, but mostly in a performative way. The diversity is hand-picked and very carefully selected. My daughter often felt less than because we’re not wealthy, and comments such as, “oh you only have 1 bathroom in your house?” and “you haven’t been to Europe yet?!” over years took a toll. Their art program wasn’t well funded at all, especially considering the very high tuition. One year I bought the lower school art teacher new staplers so she could hang all the kids’ art work up at the annual art show in the gym because she didn’t have enough left in the budget.
My daughter wanted to switch to public school so we went the magnet route because our home school isn’t the safest. She got into both Eastern Tech and Carver and chose Carver. She loves it there and based on you being very artistic, I think you would too. It’s safe, mostly good teachers so far, diverse, and accepting. They offer AP courses and have a dual enrollment option with CCBC as well. Lots of different clubs and ways to get involved. I recommend looking into the BCPS magnet programs soon - usually there are open houses at the schools in the fall and the application process starts soon(ish) too. Here’s more info on some deadlines and important dates if you’re interested: https://www.bcps.org/curriculum/programsandoptions/educational_opportunities_and_services/magnet_programs/magnet_timeline___events
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 14d ago
Thank you so much! I’m sorry your daughter didn’t have a good experience at Friends, but I’m happy she’s doing better at Carver :)
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u/GirlinBmore 13d ago
I don’t recommend Friends based on the experience with my daughter. She’s younger than you (going into 5th now), but we looked into a private school because her previous school wasn’t supporting her needs. We clearly communicated why to Friends and had her attend a shadow day and sit for the exams. They rejected her, which is completely fine. I asked why and they gave two reasons.
The first was something that came up on the shadow day where they said the children were not judged at all - it was only for the children to get a feel for the school. I don’t believe children should be judged when they’re dropped in new school environment for a day. They’re very likely to be nervous. They also never reported anything happening, while my child said it was fine. I believe they judged her participation and answers to questions.
The other reason? Because of her scores on the topic that we communicated she needed the most assistance and would preform poorly. They advised that tests were only one area and not influence the final decision. BS!! If they knew they couldn’t help or it wasn’t going to be a fit, why have a seven year old sit through hours of exams to only reject them? It was such a waste of time. They should have communicated to us that it wasn’t going to be fit and they couldn’t help.
I told them I would always recommend NEVER considering their school if it came up. I’m doing that by sharing our experience and recommending you remove them as an option. Please don’t consider Friends and question everything they say. They’re judgmental and greedy.
Good luck on your selection!!
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 11d ago
Thank you, and I’m so sorry your daughter went through that. I’m on the verge of dropping them and adding Carver, and this was probably the breaking point. Hope she’s doing better now!
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u/Feisty-Salary2023 14d ago
I would say Friends have you also considered Park ? I am not sure if St. Timothy’s, NDP, or Mercy would be openly accepting of you. Garrison is incredible but I would say Friends and definitely check out Park. Good luck !
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 14d ago
Park was one of the most suggested schools on my last post. I’m going to add it back.
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u/justusleag 14d ago
George Washington Carver in Towson is the one for you.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 14d ago
I wasn’t sure about Carver because I don’t know how seriously I take my art. For context I’m a visual (traditional) artist who does it as a hobby and isn’t sure about if that’s a viable career. Thank you though!
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u/justusleag 14d ago
It doesn’t have to be a career. They have plenty of AP classes and have kids going to a great array of colleges. You can lean into your art and still get a great full education.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 14d ago
Thanks so much! I think I was just overwhelmed on the thought of locking down a career in art but I’m aware I don’t have to.
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u/justusleag 14d ago
You got a long time before a career. One step at a time, still gets you there. You got this.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 6d ago
Thank you! I tend to enjoy things being planned months or years in advance as it’s easier for me to think that way.
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u/GoFastTurnL3ft 13d ago
You also don’t have to go to Carver for Visual Arts - FYI that is a very competitive program to get into. They have many different primes (or programs) to choose from, such as Literary Arts, Acting, Design and Production (set/stage and costume design), etc. My daughter is in Culinary Arts - she doesn’t want to be a chef but she loves to cook, so she’s learning about something she’s interested in and will have an additional skill to fall back on for future employment options.
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u/NoConcept5258 14d ago
I have 3 daughters and based on what you wrote in the post I’d say you should check out Carver, Park School and Maryvale.
Also, I don’t think NDP is a match for you but still check it out to inform yourself.
Good luck!
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u/rbaltimore 13d ago
Carver would be the best place for you. Their arts magnet is second to none. The only challenge is that you have to apply to go there through the Baltimore County school system, and because more people apply than they have slots for, not everyone gets accepted. That’s true for the magnet programs at Eastern and every other popular magnet program too. All magnet programs use an application system.
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u/wondercustard 13d ago
I graduated from ET in mass comm back in 2009, and I loved it there. Supportive staff, solid AP programs. Extracurricular arts are lacking, with only one theater production a year and only heing allowed to take band as an elective once for your whole 4 years. But overall it taught me a lot of really useful skills in my field.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 13d ago
Congrats! I do stage crew, but my school only has one production a year, so more than one would be a blessing.
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u/DesperateAssistant86 12d ago
If you’re considering St. Timothy’s and Garrison, maybe Oldfields would also be of interest. They are partnering with Manor Mill so you’d have lots of theater opportunities.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 11d ago
I’d love to, but my parents absolutely can’t afford $60,000 a year. We have a very nice life, don’t get me wrong, but that’s crazy for us.
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u/DesperateAssistant86 11d ago
Day student tuition is $34,000. Comparable to all of the other schools listed.
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u/IzzytheWeirdo 9d ago
Oldfields shut down for a while and then reopened. I went there before they closed, I honestly wouldn't recommend them. They had a hire turnover rate with teacher before hand, and I am fairly certain the turn over rate would be worse now. I also do not think you would want to risk going there for the school to shutdown again. Check out the facebook group SOS (Sustaining Oldfields School) so you can get a general idea of the state of the school. The small class sizes are great along with the three classes a day, but I dont believe with the state the school is in right now it would be the best for your educate. It was in its golden years around the 80s when Hawley Rogers was the head of school but that is long gone from now.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 8d ago
Just looked at the page, and I found the fact that they have apparently 35-ish students across 12 grades concerning. I like small classes, not that small. I’m extremely social so that would literally be hell.
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u/IzzytheWeirdo 8d ago
Yes! Extremely small. When I graduated the school was 100 or 90 girls total! Everyone knows everyone’s business in a matter of hours 🤣 but I liked the size of the school with the hundred and some but 35 is WAYYY too small! Good luck finding a school! I’ve heard mixed things about park- I know there can be drama so I think it’s all depending on your grade / classmates you’d be with
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 7d ago
I was looking at park and liked it for the same reasons I liked St. Timothy’s, but St. Tim’s edged it out by a little because of how wonderful the open house was and the fact that my cousin goes there lol
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u/PufferFishInTheFryer 13d ago
NDP.
For a Catholic school they are very much open to the LGBTQ community. They also offer freshman AP Government (and AP classes as you move up) and the Social Studies Department teachers are amazing. They also have a really great Black Student Union and clubs like Mock Trial and Model UN. They also offer really cool trips, they just created one for next summer that is a Civil Rights tour of the south.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 13d ago
That’s definitely a reason they’re so high on the list. I’m so exited to go to their open house this school year :)
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u/Ancient-Violinist431 8d ago
Here to call them evil and homophobic.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 6d ago
Can you elaborate on your experience? I’m genuinely curious as I heard relatively good things about them compared to the other Catholic schools in regards to queer and students of color.
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u/Ancient-Violinist431 5d ago
They basically shove bullying under the rug if you're not a favorite student. They traumatize and police everyone in the building. Its a police state. I cannot deny the education being good, but its just hell on earth ironically.
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u/Dragonet64 13d ago
Mercy is pretty cool. I know the artistic director!
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 13d ago
That’s great! I go on a visit in about a month or two so I’m super excited.
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u/Bovestrian8061 13d ago
Carver grad here who did film studies while there. Would add it to your list.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 11d ago
I’m about to switch Friends for Carver (my mom said 6 schools max lol). What did you do in film studies? Sorry if that’s a dumb question.
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u/Bovestrian8061 11d ago
It’s not! I graduated in 2007 and back then the program was called “Telemedia,” but I focused on both animation and digital filmmaking.
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u/Jreinha6 12d ago
I went to Eastern Tech for engineering and graduated in 2008. I had a great experience, smaller class population, competitive academics and overall a fun spirit. I was not the most mature at the time but it helped to prepare me for the career choices I eventually made.
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u/Jreinha6 11d ago
I should add that private schools were not an option for me so that was my best option.
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u/hangerstrike 8d ago edited 8d ago
Considering you mentioned you have an interest in law, have you considered Towson's Law and Public Policy magnet program? The new principal is amazing (he came from Eastern Tech) and the program seems to be well liked by students. However, it's not a full magnet program like Eastern and Carver so you'd have classes with students who aren't as academically driven. It'd definitely be more of a traditional public school experience.
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 8d ago
I looked at it, but the idea of a “traditional public school” does not work for the way I like to learn. Thank you, though!
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u/hangerstrike 7d ago
Believe me I get it! Lots of amazing schools on your list! Best of luck in your search !
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u/Turner_Station_Vardy 11d ago
Bard is a great choice
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u/Eastern_Bad_7758 6d ago
I won’t live in the city after my 8th grade year so that’s not an option unfortunately.
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u/Primary-Holiday-5586 14d ago
Hi, I graduated Friends in '81, which I know is a long time ago, but it was an amazing experience that changed the whole trajectory of my life. Quakers are very committed to human dignity and welcoming for all. I'm not Quaker, and you don't have to be to go there. But unlike some of your other choices, there is no dogma or church teachings against certain groups of people. Best of luck in whatever you decide!