Garrison Forest School

Owings Mills

Maryland

United States

Overview

Empowering students to achieve their fullest potential and live lives of purpose—this has been the core of Garrison Forest School since 1910. What was an innovative educational mission for girls at the turn of the 20th century remains so in the 21st century. Garrison Forest was founded in 1910 as an all-girls’ day and boarding school. Throughout our history our mission has been to prepare young women for a rewarding college experience and for a purposeful life well beyond. Guided by our motto Esse Quam Videri—To Be Rather Than To Seem—Garrison Forest’s curricular and co-curricular program balances exceedingly high standards within a welcoming spirited atmosphere. Located outside of Baltimore the school’s park-like campus offers collegiate-quality academic athletic arts and residential facilities. Our innovative partnership with The Johns Hopkins University the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program matches students with a Hopkins professor and lab to conduct research in science and engineering. Students may apply to be a Jenkins Fellow for an in-depth service learning project of their choice. Our new Equine and Veterinary Science program expanded Robotics program arts offerings competitive interscholastic athletics (including riding and Polo at the national levels) and many clubs meet every interest broaden horizons and provide leadership development. With Baltimore Washington D.C. New York City and other Mid-Atlantic cities and states nearby students enjoy a variety of weekend activities. Here students flourish intellectually and individually. Find their voice. Discover their passions. And embrace their potential.

Academics

Summary: At garrison forest school we view college counseling holistically—it is the next in a series of opportunities for us to better know our students. By virtue of being a college preparatory school garrison forest naturally guides students towards the next educational step. Through personal contact with academic advisors teachers and weekly classroom guidance lessons with the school counselor garrison forest students are challenged intellectually and nurtured emotionally. College counseling at gfs applies that same ethic of growth to the college search process helping to guide our students toward making the best choices for themselves.

Department Director

Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1

Average Class Size: 16

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 90

Number of AP Courses Offered: 19

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 73%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Noteworthy Information:
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program in partnership with Johns Hopkins University school-funded summer service fellowships

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Honors
Literature
Playwriting
Poetry

History

Asian History
Medieval History
United States History
World History

Foreign Languages

Religion / Philosophy

Ethics
World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

Anthropology
Economics
Psychology
Sociology

Sciences

Anatomy
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Physical Science
Physics

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Applications
Multimedia
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Web Design

Music

Band
Choral Music
Composition
Individual Instructions
Music History
Orchestra
Voice

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Personal Finance
Internships
Leadership

Distinctive or New Programs

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms:

Average Students Per Dorm: 25

Number of Girls Dorms: 3

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet

Other Dorm Amenities

Facilities

All-Weather Track
Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court

Other Facilities

Equestrian Center
Indoor and Outdoor Polo Arenas
Tennis Courts
Dance Studio
Playgrounds

Clubs & Organizations

Amnesty International
Animal Rights Club
Asian Club
Chess Club
Classics Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Diversity Club
Dorm Proctors
Environmental Club
FCA
Food Council
Foreign Language Clubs
Habitat for Humanity
Honor Council
Horseback Riding
International Club
Investment Club
Jewish Student Organization
Literary Magazine
Math Club
Model UN
Newspaper
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
SADD
Science Fiction Club
Sexualities Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Yearbook
Young Democrats
Young Republicans

Arts & Athletics

Arts Department Director: Diane Yu

Athletics Department Director: Jodi Blackburn

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

Badminton
Basketball
Cross Country Running
Equestrian
Field Hockey
Golf
Horseback Riding
Lacrosse
Polo
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Volleyball

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Dance
Equestrian
Horseback Riding
Volleyball
Weight Lifting

Graduates

Notable Alumni

Beth Botsford

Class of 1999

1996 Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist

Kerri Beiser

Class of 1992

Scientist Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

E. Jane Albert Hubbard Ph.D.

Class of 1977

Developmental Genetics Researcher Columbia University

Sterett Gittings-Kelsey

Class of 1960

Internationally known sculptor

Adele Smith-Simmons

Class of 1959

First female Dean at Princeton University; President of the Global Philanthropy Partnership

Eve Pell

Class of 1954

Author

Shelia Eaton Isham

Class of 1946

Abstract painter; 1st American accepted to the (West) Berlin Academy of Fine Arts

Mandy Cabot

Class of 1972

Founder and CEO DANSKO

Sara Bleich

Class of 1996

Professor Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Quotes From Alumni

“Being a producer is a combination of being creative and being organized. Garrison Forest was pivotal in teaching me how to think creatively and analytically.”

-Beth Sternheimer, Class of 1993, Documentary producer writer and researcher for independent films

“Garrison Forest gave me opportunities to take risks discover new interests and nurture my passion to make a difference.”

-Sara Bleich Ph.D., Class of 1993, A international expert on obesity policy Dr. Bleich has been widely published.

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 1%

Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000

Current Endowment Amount: $42,020,000

Interested in Garrison Forest School?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: All Girls

Total Boarding: 54

Total Day: 466

Total Enrollment: 520

Boys: 0

Girls: 520

Boarding Grades Offered: 8-12

Day Grades Offered: K-12

School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School

Dress Code: Uniform

Applications Accepted: SAO

Application Deadline: January 31st

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $60,215

5-Day Boarding: $60,215

Day Tuition Fee: $31,470

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 47%

Average Awarded: $18,350

School Finances