A guide to private schools in Prince George's County, including boarding schools and schools offering special education

With so many options, it may be difficult to find where your child belongs. Fortunately, we've compiled some of the best private schools in Prince George's County to help you make the right decision for your family.

Mt. Zion Preparatory Academy

About the school: Mt. Zion prioritizes helping students develop local and global connections so they can be active and culturally aware citizens. Students are trained to be leaders and encouraged to speak their mind during STEAM courses.

What students and parents are saying: "Being at Mt. Zion may be one of the best decisions I made. The faculties care about their students and their grades," one alum on Niche said.

  • Address: 6511 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • 9-12 preparatory academy
    • Tuition assistance and financial aid available
    • Boarding and day-school options
    • STEAM-focused

Fairhaven School

About the school: Fairhaven is founded on the Sudbury education model, which allows students to vote on activities and school management to encourage independent thinking. Students are free to choose their daily activities so they can learn as a by-product of practical, everyday experiences rather than in a strict classroom setting.

What students and parents are saying: "My two sons have thrived in ways that are less measurable and far more important than anything we noted when they were in 'regular' school," a parent wrote on Great Schools.

  • Address: 17900 Queen Anne Road, Upper Marlboro
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Mixed-grade school for ages 5-19
    • Year-round enrollment
    • Self-directed education

High Road Academy of Prince George's County

About the school: A special-education school with small class sizes and student-centered instruction, High Road Academy helps students overcome common barriers to classroom learning and supports their unique academic, behavioral and emotional needs. Enrollment begins with a referral from the local school district based on the child's IEP. The academy uses science-based instruction to help students reach their goals.

What students and parents are saying: "High Road has allowed him to flourish as a student and as an individual. He now takes pride in his accomplishments," one parent wrote on Great Schools.

  • Address: 5100 Philadelphia Way, Suite J, Lanham
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Grades 3-12 special education school
    • Extended school year
    • Individualized Education Program supportive
    • Small class sizes

Elizabeth Seton High School

About the school: Emphasizing leadership skills, this all-girls Catholic high school offers high-level courses and personalized support systems. In addition to AP and dual-enrollment courses, Elizabeth Seton offers novel courses in practical skills that students need to thrive in the workplace, such as rhetoric, professional etiquette, internships, public speaking and more.

What students and parents are saying: "Seton challenged me to believe in myself before my grades ever did," a student said on Niche.

  • Address: 5715 Emerson St., Bladensburg
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • All-girls Catholic high school
    • Over 40 extracurricular clubs and organizations
    • 100% college acceptance
    • Financial aid available

The Foundation School

About the school: Supporting students with disabilities and learning challenges, the Foundation School emphasizes career and college readiness while helping students develop the social and emotional skills necessary to return to their home district. The process begins with parents and local school-system personnel discussing placement at the student's IEP meeting, followed by a referral to the school. The Foundation School also offers a year-round program that combines traditional education with social skill and emotional regulation training.

What students and parents are saying: "Coming to The Foundation Schools gave me the new start I needed and I was ready. Things just seemed to keep getting better," one student said in their graduation remarks.

  • Address: 1330 McCormick Drive, Largo, with additional locations throughout Maryland
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Grades K-12 special education school
    • College and career readiness
    • Technology integration
    • Speech and communication programs

The Children's Guild School

About the school: The Children's Guild School uses a transformation education model to help students grow in an enriching environment where values are key. The school teaches students and parents about the inner workings of the human brain so they can better think through problems rather than react to situations. The school teaches children and young adults with a range of disabilities.

What students and parents are saying: "The class student to teacher ratio is low. There is hands-on handling of problems and therefore they do not call us to come and get our child. Looking at the nature of the children we think the school is excellent," a parent wrote on Great Schools.

  • Address: 5702 Sargent Road, Chillum
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Grades K-12 special education school
    • College and career readiness
    • Extended school year programs

St. Vincent Pallotti High School

About the school: A Catholic college preparatory school, St. Vincent Pallotti emphasizes faith and service by offering opportunities for specialized retreat and community outreach programs. The high school also features small class sizes, a range of sports and extracurriculars and college scholarship opportunities.

What students and parents are saying: "The teachers obviously care a lot about the student and their success. I feel easily equipped for my future because of my experience," a student wrote on Niche.

  • Address: 113 St. Mary's Place, Laurel
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Catholic high school
    • Advanced programs
    • Small class sizes
    • Scholarships available

Sheppard Pratt School

About the school: A nonpublic special education school, Sheppard Pratt School offers year-round instruction in small classes in addition to weekly recreational outings and community learning. In addition to vocational and life skills training, the school offers transition services to help students enter higher education, a budding career or trade school.

  • Address: 4819 Walden Lane, Suite 4880, Lanham
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Ages 5-21 special education school
    • Full-year instruction
    • 2:1 staff-to-student ratio
    • Therapy services available

Friends Community School

About the school: Adjacent to Greenbelt National Park, Friends Community School combines intellectual and moral education to create reflective and engaged students. This Quaker school has mixed-grade elementary programs to help students learn with and from peers, as well as student-interest electives in the middle school.

  • Address: 5901 Westchester Park Drive, College Park
  • District: N/A
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • Quaker elementary and middle school
    • Outdoor space
    • Financial aid and scholarships available
    • Real-world exploration and field trips

Al-Huda School

About the school: A faith-focused Islamic school, Al-Huda School encourages students to use their knowledge to build community and form connections. The campus is located on 10 acres of wooded parkland for a tranquil learning environment, while students participate in motivational programs like Sports Day, spelling bees and essay contests.

What students and parents are saying: "We feel like one big family. I like how small classes are so teachers have time to focus on every student's needs," a student on Niche wrote.

  • Address: 5301 Edgewood Road, College Park
  • Noteworthy attributes:
    • K-12 Islamic school
    • Daycare and preschool services available
    • Writing and robotics clubs
    • In-house bookstore