For parents and students, researching and visiting schools or colleges can be life-changing experiences. Gaining first-person perspective, on-site optics, and meeting the administrations of potential schools are instrumental to making one of life’s most important decisions—choosing the right school. This guide provides tips for navigating your school search, as well as a comprehensive list of regional schools, colleges, and learning centers offering open house, campus tours, virtual seminars, and programs for all ages.
If you’re considering school visitations this fall, or in the near future, here are several tips and considerations when planning.
1. Make a list and map the schools out. Before the application process begins, curate a list of all potential schools, research them, and narrow them down. Once you have reduced your list to the top contenders, it’s time to start planning your campus visits. Ideally, you’ll want to visit every school you are strongly considering, so map out each school and plan accordingly.
2. Order matters.Try to visit your top school(s) last. As you visit more campuses, you’ll start to get a better idea of your likes and dislikes. Throughout the process, you will gain a better sense of questions to ask and places on campus you want to see and you will know what to look for by then.
3. Timing is crucial.Plan your visit while school is, hopefully, in session. Observing student life will give you an authentic view of the school and will (hopefully) help you envision yourself as a student there.
4. Explore on your own.The official campus tour will highlight the school’s best features, so make sure to spend extra time exploring parts of campus that weren’t shown on your tour. This will be the best time to observe students, check out any departments you’re interested in, or sit in on a class or lecture.
5. Talk to current students.It’s your tour guide’s job to give the best impression possible of their school, making them a biased source. While the information your guide gives you is crucial, you may want to secure a more candid impression by talking to current students. Ask students anything that wasn’t covered on the tour: What is student life like? Is it easy to meet and make friends? Is there a lot of diversity on campus? Is it difficult to adjust?
6. Document every visit. If you plan to visit several schools, make sure to document each visit. Take pictures, jot down some notes, or record a voice memo to highlight your favorite—or least favorite—aspects of each school. Going on several tours within a short period of time can be chaotic, so this will help you separate and compare each visit.
7. Keep an open mind. Your priorities during your initial school search may completely shift once you start touring, so remain openminded. Walk onto every campus with a positive attitude and save your judgments until the end of the tour.
The following list of regional schools, colleges, and learning centers advertise within the What’s Up? Media family of publications. Please consider calling them directly to confirm open house dates, visitation guidance, and program availability. Schools are listed alphabetically.
Private Schools
Annapolis Area Christian School–Lower
Annapolis Campus—710 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis; Severn Campus—61 Gambrills Road, Severn; 410-519-5300; aacsonline.org; AACS is an accredited K–12 private, co-ed, school with four campuses in AA County. We provide an excellent, distinctively Christian education. Open Houses scheduled for 11/10 (Severn Campus) and 11/18 (Annapolis Campus). Register online. Private tours available by appointment.
Annapolis Area Christian School—Middle
716 Bestgate Road, Annapolis; 410-846-3505; aacsonline.org; AACS is an accredited K–12 private, co-ed, school with four campuses in AA County. We provide an excellent, distinctively Christian education. Open House scheduled for 11/4. Register online. Private tours available by appointment.
Annapolis Area Christian School—Upper
109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn; 410-846-3507; aacsonline.org; AACS is an accredited K–12 private, co-ed, school with four campuses in AA County. We provide an excellent, distinctively Christian education. Upper School Showcase scheduled for 10/15. Register online. Private tours available by appointment.
Archbishop Spalding High School
8080 New Cut Road, Severn; 410-969-9105; archbishopspalding.org; Spalding is a coed, college preparatory school that serves students in the greater Annapolis and Baltimore areas. It is a Diocesan school of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Private tours and Shadow Days available by appointment and registering online.
Calvert Hall College High School
8102 La Salle Road, Baltimore; 410-825-4266; calverthall.com; Calvert Hall College High School is an independent, all-boys Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school attracting students from more than 100 zip codes. Cardinal Campus Experience Tours and Virtual “Cardinal for a Class” sessions available by registering online and appointment.
Chestertown Christian Academy
401 Morgnec Road, Chestertown; 410-778-5855; chestertownchristian.org; Chestertown Christian Academy serves students from Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Cecil counties, as well as New Castle County in Delaware. Tours are provided daily. Please contact CCA’s Admissions Director, Amanda Tuttle-Smith, at ccapatriots.admissions@gmail.com or call the school.
Divine Mercy Academy
8513 St. Jane Drive, Pasadena; 410-705-0778; divinemercy.md; Divine Mercy Academy is an independent private day school in the Catholic tradition for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Glenelg Country School
12793 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City; 410-531-8600; glenelg.org; Glenelg Country School cultivates a community that stimulates students to realize their highest potential. Outstanding academic and enrichment opportunities nurture a passion for lifelong learning, personal integrity, and respect for others. Discovery Days scheduled for 10/15, 11/2, 12/1, 1/6, 2/23, and 4/5. Private family tours and virtual introductions are also available.
Holy Trinity: An Episcopal School
13106 Annapolis Road, Bowie (Primary School); 11902 Daisy Lane, Glenn Dale (Daisy Lane School & High School Prep); 301-262-5355 or 301-464-3215; htrinity.org; Holy Trinity features the Primary School campus for grades 1-4, while The Daisy Lane School and High School Prep campus houses preschool and kindergarten and grades 5–8. Virtual Open House events and weekly Virtual Drop-In Wednesdays available. Register online.
Indian Creek School—Lower
680 Evergreen Road, Crownsville; 410-923-3660; indiancreekschool.org; Indian Creek School is a college-preparatory school with two Crownsville campuses: Lower (17.1 acres) and Upper (114 acres). Personalized information sessions, virtual tours, and campus tours are available by appointment.
Indian Creek School—Upper
1130 Anne Chambers Way, Crownsville; 410-849-5151; indiancreekschool.org; Indian Creek School is a college-preparatory school with two Crownsville campuses: Lower (17.1 acres) and Upper (114 acres). Personalized information sessions, virtual tours, and campus tours are available by appointment.
McDonogh School
8600 McDonogh Road, Owings Mills; 410-363-0600; mcdonogh.org; Embracing diversity of background, culture, and thought, the school builds upon its founder’s original mission to provide life-altering opportunities and to develop in students the will “to do the greatest possible amount of good.” Virtual open houses, tours, and recordings available. Contact school for details.
Monsignor Slade Catholic School
120 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie; 410-766-7130; msladeschool.com; Monsignor Slade is part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is located in northern Anne Arundel County on a 10.5-acre campus. Open Houses for Prospective Families scheduled for 11/11 and 1/30. Private tours and shadow days may also be scheduled by appointment.
Montessori International Children’s House
1641 North Winchester Road, Annapolis; 410-757-7789; montessoriinternational.org; Recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale, Montessori International Children’s House caters to students ages 18 months to 12 years on their 4.5-acre campus. Wednesday Morning Tours available by reservation. Open houses might be scheduled this fall. Contact school directly for guidance.
Naval Academy Primary School
74 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis; 410-757-3090; napschool.org; Naval Academy Primary School is an independent, co-educational school with ties to the U.S. Naval Academy, serving civilian and military families alike. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Odenton Christian School
8410 Piney Orchard Parkway, Odenton; 410-305-2380; ocs.odentonbaptist.org; Odenton Christian School follows the A Beka curriculum. In addition, OCS offers many real-world electives. Open House scheduled for 11/16. Virtual Tour available online.
Oldfields School
1500 Glencoe Road, Sparks Glencoe; 410-472-4800; oldfieldsschool.org; Oldfields is an all-girls boarding school located on 140 acres of Maryland’s horse country. Virtual Open Houses, Personalized Virtual Visits, and In-Person Visits available. Contact school directly for guidance.
Radcliffe Creek School
201 Talbot Boulevard, Chestertown; 410-778-8150; radcliffecreekschool.org; Radcliffe Creek School focuses its curriculum on multi-sensory learning. It serves students from Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Dorchester, Cecil, Caroline, and Anne Arundel counties. Virtual Tour available online. Private visitations by appointment.
Rockbridge Academy
680 Evergreen Road, Crownsville; 410-923-1171; rockbridge.org; A K–12 classical Christian school, now in its 25th year. Fall open houses scheduled for 10/11 and 11/12. Contact school directly for guidance on private visitations, tours, etc.
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Day School
4B Wallace Manor Road, Edgewater; 410-266-0952; school.standrewsum.org; Saint Andrew’s is an independent school located on a 20-acre campus, and offers engaging After School Enrichment Programs. Open House tentatively scheduled in November. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
669 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park; 410-647-2283; stjohnspschool.org; Located on over thirty acres, St. John the Evangelist School offers rigorous academics in a nurturing environment for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Virtual and In-Person Tours available by appointment. Open Houses may be schedule. Contact school directly for guidance.
Ss. Peter & Paul Elementary School
900 High Street, Easton; 410-822-2251; es.ssppeaston.org; SS. Peter & Paul is the premier Catholic elementary school on the MidShore, nurturing children in mind, body, and spirit. Please contact the school to arrange for a Sabre For a Day for your child, schedule a personal tour of campus, or join us for Walk-In Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00am during the school year.
Ss. Peter & Paul High School
1212 S. Washington Street, Easton; 410-822-2275; hs.ssppeaston.org; SS. Peter & Paul is the premier, coed, college preparatory high school serving Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Rigorous academics, diverse student life, and faith formation empower young people to grow in mind, body, and spirit. For information, or to schedule a Sabre Day or personal tour of campus, please contact the school.
St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School
375-A Benfield Road, Severna Park; 410-647-7055; stmartinsmd.org; St. Martin’s combines aspects of the humanities, mathematics, arts, technology, and the sciences from, encouraging students to discover their potential while learning with confidence, compassion, and character. Thirty-minute In-Person Tours available by appointment. Virtual Tours also available.
St. Anne’s School of Annapolis
3112 Arundel on the Bay Road, Annapolis; 410-263-8650; st.annesschool.org; St. Anne’s invests in the intellectual and spiritual promise of each student in a community that celebrates diversity and upholds the dignity of every human being. Hosts several Open Houses annually. Private Tours available by appointment. Contact school directly for guidance.
St. Margaret’s Day School
1605 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis; 410-757-2333, stmargaretsdayschool.org; St. Margaret’s Day School is located on the Broadneck peninsula on the historic campus of St. Margaret’s Church. The school is accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
St. Vincent Pallotti High School
113 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel; 301-725-3228; pallottihs.org; St. Vincent Pallotti High School is a college preparatory school in the Archdiocese of Washington, and serves students from Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. Open House scheduled for 11/7. Panther for a Day Shadow Visits (8th graders only) available by appointment, as are in-person tours.
School of the Incarnation
2601 Symphony Lane, Gambrills; 410-519-2285; schooloftheincarnation.org; Located on a 26-acre campus in central Anne Arundel County, School of the Incarnation is a coeducational school and operates under the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Open Houses scheduled throughout the year. Private tours available by appointment. Contact school directly for guidance.
Severn Shool—Chesapeake Campus (Lower)
1185 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Arnold; 410-647-7700; severnschool.com; Severn School is a college preparatory school. The 4-acre lower campus offers an outdoor science learning center and learning pavilion. In Person Tours available Mon.–Fri. after 4 p.m. by appointment. Virtual tours and information sessions available online.
Severn School—Teel Campus (Middle/Upper)
201 Water Street, Severna Park; 410-647-7700; severnschool.com; Severn School’s upper campus is situated on 19 acres, and offers the Stine Environmental Center, which is located along the Severn River. In Person Tours (3-person max) available Mon., Tues., and Thurs. at 3:30 p.m. by appointment. Virtual tours and information sessions available online.
The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland
822 West Lake Avenue, Baltimore; 410-377-5192; boyslatinmd.com; Founded in 1844, Boys’ Latin School of Maryland is an all-boys independent school serving boys in grades K-12. Open House scheduled for 10/24; register online. Private tours available by appointment.
The Country School
716 Goldsborough Street, Easton; 410-822-1935; countryschool.org; The Country School is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit school located near downtown Easton. Virtual meetings and campus tours available by appointment. Contact school directly for guidance.
The Gunston School
911 Gunston Road, Centreville; 410-758-0620; gunston.org; The Gunston School offers an intellectually rigorous, highly personalized, and nurturing college preparatory educational experience. In-person Open Houses scheduled for 10/17, 11/14, 1/23, and 4/24; register online. Personal Tours and Shadow Day Visits also available by appointment.
The Key School
534 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis; 410-263-9231; keyschool.org; Key School is a coeducational, progressive, college-preparatory day school with a picturesque 15-acre campus located in Hillsmere Shores and a 70-acre athletic park located in Annapolis Roads. Open Houses scheduled for 11/6 (Middle/Upper Schools) and 11/13 (First/Lower School). Private Tours available by appointment.
Wye River Upper School
316 South Commerce Street, Centreville; 410-758-2922; wyeriverupperschool.org; Wye River is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school that serves students with dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, and other learning differences at their Centreville campus. Private campus tours available by appointment. Contact school directly for guidance.
College/Advanced Degree
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Parkway, Arnold; 410-777-2222; aacc.edu; Nationally recognized, public, two-year institution accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the largest single-campus community college in Maryland. Enrollment, Admissions, and Program-Specific Information Sessions available. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Chesapeake College
1000 College Circle, Wye Mills; 410-822-5400; chesapeake.edu; Chesapeake College is a comprehensive public two-year regional community college serving the educational needs of the residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Guided Tours available year-round to groups and individuals. Contact school directly for guidance.
Eastern Shore Higher Education Center
1000 College Circle, Wye Mills; 410-827-5761; info.chesapeake.edu/eshec; Located on the Chesapeake College Wye Mills campus, ESHEC provides access to area residents to baccalaureate and graduate degrees from partnering four-year institutions. Contact school directly for guidance on visitations, tours, etc.
Washington College
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown; 410-778-2800; washcoll.edu; Washington College is a liberal arts college founded in 1782 and was the first college chartered in the sovereign United States. Campus Visits available morning and afternoons by appointment. Virtual Counselor Interviews, Campus Tours, Information Sessions, and Resource Meetings available.
Learning Centers
Anne Arundel County Public Library
16 locations throughout Anne Arundel County; 410-222-7371; aacpl.net; Public library system with a multitude of media collections, technology, community programs, and educational resources. Locations open daily to the public. Please visit website for specific location hours, contacts, and program/resources availability.
Code Ninjas
145 Mitchell’s Chance Road, Edgewater; 443-203-8415; codeninjas.com; At Code Ninjas centers, kids learn to code while building their own video games. They gain problem solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Contact center directly for visitation and program availability.
Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers
Locations in Easton, St. Michaels, White Marsh/Trappe, and Cordova; 410-822-8061; cacckids.org; Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers teachers engage and nurture children ages two, three, and four in year-round Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs as well as children in Kindergarten through sixth grade in before-and after-School programs. Contact center directly for visitation and program availability.
GiGi’s Playhouse
129 Lubrano Drive, Ste. L104, Annapolis; 410-517-7474; gigisplayhouse.org; Down Syndrome Achievement Center that offers free therapeutic, educational, and tutoring programs that support all ages, from families with a prenatal diagnosis through adult individuals with Down syndrome. Contact center directly for visitation and program availability.
Pongos Learning Lab
2141 Priest Bridge Drive, Ste. 8, Crofton; 301-789-1815; pongoslearninglab.com; Center for all things science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Offers clubs, camps, classes, birthday parties, and enrichment programs in grades Pre-K through 8. Contact center directly for visitation and program availability.
