Garrison Forest School
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
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Latin
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Psychology
- Sociology
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Physical Science
- Physics
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
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
- Acting
- Animation
- Architecture
- Art History
- Ballet
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
- Theater History
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Personal Finance
- Internships
- Leadership
Distinctive or New Programs
Women In Science And Engineering (wise)
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
- Acting
- Animation
- Architecture
- Art History
- Ballet
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- 3-D Art
- Modern Dance
- Theater History
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
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 1%
Average Merit Scholarship: 5,000
Current Endowment Amount: $42,020,000
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
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 1%
Average Merit Scholarship: $5,000
Current Endowment Amount: $42,020,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Alison Greer
Admissions Phone: 410 559 3111
Fax: 410 363 8441
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gfs.org
Nearby Schools
- St. Timothy’s School - 4mi / 6 km
- Oldfields School - 12mi / 20 km
- Sandy Spring Friends School - 24mi / 38 km
- Georgetown Preparatory School - 32mi / 52 km
- West Nottingham Academy - 40mi / 65 km
- West Nottingham Academy - 40mi / 65 km





