From Public Schools to Private Institutions, Early Childhood Care to Special Needs Programs for Children with Disabilities
By Abby Greino
If you are new to the area, you probably want to make sure your kids are set up to succeed at school or a child care facility. While some families may already have the resources to find the perfect fit, others may need to learn more before enrolling their children in a school program or system.
Between unpacking, meeting new neighbors and exploring the Chesapeake Bay area, it may feel like you have a lot on your to-do list. We’ve gathered helpful information to ensure your kids transition smoothly to Maryland.
Schools and Child Care: Discover Your Options
There are many different types of schools in Maryland. While every public school has unique benefits and drawbacks, you can rest assured that kids receive a strong education. Overall, a 2024 report by WalletHub revealed that Maryland is ranked third in the United States for public school quality, based on standardized test results, graduation rates, safety and more. (The 2025 report has not yet been released.)
While public school is a reliable option, there are many types of schools in Maryland, including private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, Christian, parochial and Montessori schools.
Maryland has many great educational options, and we recommend researching each to find the best fit for your child. Once you’ve decided on the right route, it’s time to pick or determine your school.
Finding Your Public School
If you choose to use a public school, you’ll find you still have several options.
Within public schools, some choose to enroll their children in charter schools. These schools are funded by taxes, meaning they don’t charge tuition for students, but are still independently run. This can allow charter schools to utilize unique curricula that may be better fitted to your child.
While charter schools can be a good option, they are limited in location and the number of students supported. To attend a charter, your student may have to travel further away or complete an intensive application process. Charter school options can be found using the Maryland Charter School Directory.
Additionally, within the public school system in counties like Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George’s, there are options with Magnet Programs and Gifted & Talented Curriculum that are tailored to specific interests like performing arts, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and technology. Here is a comprehensive list of the programs offered within those school systems.
If you decide to send your child to a traditional public school, your next step will be to determine what school you are zoned for. Where your child attends public school depends entirely on where you are located.
You can determine where you are zoned based on your county or address. GreatSchools provides a resource allowing you to simply enter your new address and find the school your child will attend.
If you already know your county, you can find your child’s school district and school. For instance, if you are in Anne Arundel County, the school district will help you find your specific school. Each county offers its own school locator.
Get to Know Your New School
Once you know the school your child will attend, we recommend connecting with your school’s principal or counselor. They will be able to provide you and your child with a tour and an overview of what their school has to offer.
In some cases, if you are hoping to have your child take specific classes or be involved in specific extracurricular activities, you can request your child be transferred to another school within the district. Transfers are not always possible, but still an option if the school you are zoned for isn’t a perfect fit.
After you have finalized your school decision, your school counselor can help you connect with other parents or families to ensure you get started on the right foot.
Exploring Private School Options
Private schools, which are paid for semesterly or yearly by families, can offer students a diverse range of experiences. Some private schools in Maryland offer smaller class sizes or specialized attention in extracurriculars. While private schools have advantages, they can be more expensive and may have less oversight.
If you decide to enroll your child in a private school, then we suggest researching various schools and scheduling tours of each facility.
To find schools that may be a good option for you, take a look at Chesapeake Family Life’s directory of private schools.
There are a variety of schools around Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington D.C. to suit any location. Some schools follow religious doctrines, have specialized academic focus or offer students other unique educational experiences.
We highly recommend interviewing each school to determine the right fit. Many schools also offer tours, which can help you understand what each facility offers. You can also chat with other teachers and parents to make sure you are making the best decision.
Early Childhood Care
If your child is too young to attend elementary or secondary school, then you’re likely looking for early childhood care options. There are several great options available in Maryland.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide care for children younger than 5. These are federally funded and designed to assist low-income families.
Preschool and nursery programs encompass a variety of private options for young children. Many preschool programs are partially supported by religious organizations or nonprofits. Some offer unique experiences for young ones, such as additional field trips, half-day schedules, focus on faith and more.
Montessori schools, a popular choice in Maryland, focus on student-led learning instead of a guided curriculum. Students enrolled in these schools may spend significant time in nature or have additional time to pursue electives or chosen curricula.
Registered Family Child Care includes at-home daycares that have been registered with the state and are run by professionals. Depending on the license, they may be able to care for 8 or 12 children. This option is typically more affordable but may have some limitations given the smaller facility.
When choosing the right facility for your child, we recommend looking at how the business is reviewed, what curriculum or schedule it follows and what qualifications the staff has. You can also get a sense of how the facility operates by taking a tour and evaluating the cleanliness and child interactions with staff, and by chatting with other parents.
Once you find the type of facility you are interested in, take some time to explore Chesapeake Family Life’s extensive preschool directory.
Maryland EXCELS
Outside of normal, state-mandated licensing requirements in Maryland, the state also offers a higher rating system. Maryland EXCELS is a quality rating system for child care and early education programs.
Programs that earn the seal of approval from Maryland EXCELS are ranked as having some of the highest quality in the state of Maryland. You can determine what programs have approval by going to the Maryland EXCELS website.
Resources for Special Needs Students
If your child has special needs, the state of Maryland must ensure those needs are met.
If the student has already been evaluated and has an IEP, then they will be provided with a FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) in consultation with the parent. The school will ensure the child has accommodations appropriate for their needs.
Educational laws related to special needs only apply to public schools; private schools are not required to provide accommodations for all students.
While certain private schools may have special education programs, it’s important to thoroughly understand what the school will be able to provide your child. In many cases, students with special needs will be best served in Maryland public schools.
If your child requires a non-traditional academic setting, every county offers additional programs that can help students with unique needs, be it social or life skills. Once you determine the county you are in, you’ll be able to find their alternative programs.
If your child has not yet been evaluated for special needs but needs to be, your new school can get the process rolling.
Time for School!
Moving can be stressful, but you can take comfort in knowing that Maryland has many amazing schools and child care facilities. By taking the time to vet and learn about your options, your child will find the perfect place.
Whether the Chesapeake area is your forever home or just the next step in your family’s journey, we hope you and your child find everything you could want in your new school.
