Tuesday, Nov. 5, 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.
Levering Field at The St. Paul’s Schools

Looking to sharpen your lacrosse skills with advice from IAAM championship players? St. Paul’s School for Girls will host a lacrosse clinic led by IAAM Coach of the Year Mary Gagnon for prospective students in grades 6 through 8. Following the clinic, participants and their families are invited to a conversation and Q&A with Coach Gagnon and varsity student-athletes from the 2024 IAAM “A” Conference championship lacrosse team.

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL

The 110-acre, tree-lined Garrison Forest School campus gives students the space to explore, build, create and think. There are endless learning opportunities outside of the classroom! Younger students have access to several different playgrounds, and an innovative outdoor classroom offers students space to exercise—to climb and jump and also to imagine and pretend. This outdoor classroom features nature-based play structures, dirt and sand to dig and create, a garden and musical instruments.

The rolling campus includes state-of-the-art athletic fields, featuring a lighted turf field; an impressive equestrian complex that features riding and polo arenas, an outdoor riding ring and barns to house the many campus horses; bee hives that are maintained by the campus Bee Club—including honey that is extracted for community enjoyment; pollinator gardens; a dye garden used by art classes; and ample spaces to walk and explore. The academic buildings are designed to be modern, comfortable spaces to learn and collaborate. Each division—Preschool, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School—has a separate building to ensure each student’s needs are met as they move through their time at GFS. The arts building encourages creative, personal expression and houses several art rooms, concert and performance spaces and practice rooms. The Garland Theater hosts many performances throughout the year, including divisional programs, a Middle School play, two Upper School productions, dance performances and more.

The GFS campus center includes the Searle Athletic Center and Alumnae Hall, home to the dining hall. Within the Searle Athletic Center, students can run the raised track or use the workout room; it is also home to the dance studio and provides space for athletes to train and compete. Featuring natural lighting, the two-story library offers quiet meeting and study spaces and cozy nooks for reading. The boarding program, offered for grades 8-12, has four student dorms and 24 faculty residences, creating a homelike atmosphere for students joining GFS from across the country and around the world. Whether learning and exploring outdoors or finding your academic spark within one of the buildings, the Garrison Forest campus becomes an integral part of your overall educational journey.

Visit www.gfs.org.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

Join the fun November 8-10, 2024, when the Maryland Irish Festival returns to the Timonium Fairgrounds to celebrate 50 years! Rock out to contemporary Irish music or tap your toes to traditional tunes while watching an authentic Irish dance troupe take the stage. Enjoy delicious Irish food & drink, (yes we have colcannon, Irish Stew, Guinness & Tullamore Dew), soak in the cultural exhibits, browse beautiful gifts from dozens of regional vendors, and check out the children’s activities area, too.

• Friday Night Happy Hour 6-8pm with $5 Beer and live music from Kilmaine Saints
• Saturday Night Irish Ceili at 7:45pm led by Eammon De Cogian (Audience Participation Social Dance)
• Sunday Mass at 10:30am led by Fr. Collin Poston and Fr. Leo Patalinghug
• Saturday and Sunday Whiskey Tastings

Live music includes Kilmaine Saints, Albannach, Piper Jones Band, Syr, Dublin 5, The ShamRogues, Brendan’s Voyage, Poehemia, Diddley Idols, and more!

Proceeds benefit the Irish Charities of Maryland. Kids and Active Military get in FREE. For details, event schedule, and tickets visit www.irishfestival.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

CALVERT SCHOOL

Tucked away within the quiet, tree-lined streets of Tuscany-Canterbury, Calvert School’s campus provides children ages 4 to 14 with a calm, secure space to grow amid an otherwise bustling world. Located on 16 acres convenient to Johns Hopkins University and I-83, the School balances beautiful green spaces with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure an enriching educational experience.

Serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, Calvert’s campus features two main academic buildings, three sports fields, outdoor learning spaces, and the modern Luetkemeyer Athletic Center.

Featuring 10 regulation squash courts, a fitness center, and a large indoor turfed field, the athletic center has quickly become a gathering place for Calvert families. The facility offers an ideal space for squash tournaments, co-curricular activities, summer camps, opening and closing exercises, and programs like the Calvert Flag Football League, which opens the School to the greater Baltimore community.

Across the street, Calvert’s Middle School features large classrooms, a black box theater, a spacious gymnasium, and two additional meeting spaces, the Atrium and the Assembly Hall. These areas become hubs for leadership programming, public speaking, and idea-sharing as the students grow into young leaders.

A short walk across campus sits the W.P. Carey ’42 Lower School, where students have access to two gymnasiums, a spacious art room, and a brightly lit library in addition to more than 27 classrooms. The building also contains the Kiddie Calvert early education center and the Luetkemeyer Planetarium, which is used in science classes to study the stars.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Calvert’s Lower School expanded to include two major additions, the Cordish Science Lab and Dunbar Music Room. Housed in an all-new multi-level wing, these additions provide specialized spaces for Calvert’s science and music curriculum, ensuring that students continue to succeed in both subjects. Submit an inquiry online at www.calvertschoolmd.org/inquire to learn more about Calvert School.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

What started as a casual conversation about how to give back has now grown into a movement. Five years ago, Pikesville resident Laurie Rosen decided to do more for her community. But instead of going it alone, she rallied a group of like-minded moms and launched Moms on a Mission, a volunteer group under the Macks Jewish Connection Network that has since become a powerhouse for change.

Inspiration for Action

Having previously volunteered as a PJ Library connector, Laurie was looking for opportunities to stay involved in the Jewish community.

She learned about the VolunTeams with the Macks Jewish Connection Network where a group of individuals join forces to support a particular organization but wanted to see if there was a way to allow for even more flexibility in approaching volunteering.

“I realized that not everyone is comfortable with certain roles, like working at a soup kitchen or volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House,” she said. “That’s why we decided to offer a range of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, allowing moms to choose activities that align with their interests and availability.”

Calling all nature explorers! Friends School of Baltimore invites prospective pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade students and their families for a fun-filled morning at Friends to explore our native gardens, fields, and stream with our Lower School science teacher. Binoculars to search for insects and identify plants and flowers will be provided! Saturday, October 26, 2024, 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Friends School of Baltimore is a private, co-educational, Quaker school serving students in pre-k through 12th grade. As Baltimore’s first school, Friends has pioneered innovative teaching and learning since 1784. A Friends education emphasizes the mastery of essential skills required to succeed in the world – skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and leadership. Friends School’s holistic approach to education allows students to explore and excel across a broad range of activities in academics, athletics, and arts. As a Quaker school, Friends is guided by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship, and a core belief that there is that of God in each person. Students are held to a high standard of personal conduct and challenged to model behaviors that build community and promote equality.

Join the Waldorf School of Baltimore on Sunday, November 17th, from 10 AM to 4 PM for a day of wonder and joy at the 36^th Annual Waldorf Fair!

Dive into a delightful array of “unplugged” activities that highlight the unique charm of Waldorf education. Experience the joy of jump-rope making, beeswax dipping, and candle rolling. Try your luck at the fishing game, enjoy captivating marionette shows, and sway to the sounds of live music!

Celebrated by Baltimore’s Child Magazine as one of the Best Family Events of the Year and highlighted in Baltimore Magazine’s “Must Do” Weekend Highlights, the Waldorf Fair is truly a celebration for all ages! More activities include Toddler Storytime, a photo booth, face painting, an immersive Faerie Grotto, and an instrument petting zoo provided by Stages Music Arts. Plus, there are multiple hands-on natural crafts waiting for you to explore!

The Waldorf Fair beautifully embodies the school’s educational values, grounded in a deep understanding of child development. Don’t miss the chance to browse our artisan vendor marketplace featuring over 30 stalls showcasing the unique handcrafted creations of local Baltimore artists and businesses.

Join us for a magical day that showcases an educational model inspiring children around the globe with the joy of lifelong learning since 1919.

Waldorf School of Baltimore is located at 4801 Tamarind Road. Entry is Free. Tickets required for some crafts and activities, these can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.wsbfair.com. For more information on the Waldorf School of Baltimore, please visit www.waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org

VOICES – Mind the Gap: Conversations Across Difference

October 23 at 7pm: Matthew Taylor

Matthew D. Taylor is senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where he specializes in American Christianity, American Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics.

His new book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy (Broadleaf, 2024), tracks how a network of Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation was a major instigating force for the January 6th Insurrection and is currently reshaping the culture of the religious right in the U.S.He is also the author of Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christians’ America (Cambridge, 2023). Taylor holds a PhD in religious studies and Muslim-Christian relations from Georgetown University and an MA in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He also serves as an associate fellow at the Center for Peace Diplomacy in New Orleans, where he works on preventing religion-related violence surrounding U.S. elections.

VOICES, the Redeemer Speaker Series invites contemporary voices to challenge and inform us: artists and authors, visionaries and thought leaders, advocates of change courageous enough to hold the loveliness and sorrow of the world at once and find the wonder in both.

THE ST. PAUL’S SCHOOLS

Ask St. Paul’s students about their favorite place on campus, and you’ll hear a common refrain: the hill. Situated in the center of the sprawling 130-acre campus, the famed hill serves as a popular gathering place for students and faculty alike. The sweeping views over Greenspring Valley don’t hurt, either.

Beyond the hill, opportunities unfold across St. Paul’s campus. Students challenge themselves to try new things—whether reporting live on St. Paul’s Radio from two broadcasting booths, building a kinetic sculpture in one of three makerspaces, or learning to use a miter saw in the woodshop. Lower school students regularly take their learning outdoors with lessons in the Darrell Nature Pavilion and community garden, while budding scientists examine stream samples along the Carico Trail.

For student-artists, St. Paul’s campus encourages creativity with the Ward Center for the Arts’ 283-seat theater, as well as a black box theatre, two dance studios, visual and digital arts classrooms, and private music studios. Campus choral groups perform in the St. Paul’s Chapel, which also serves as a space for weekly community assemblies, guest speakers, and chapel services.

Student-athletes sprint and score across two turf fields, seven grass fields, 18 tennis courts, two performance gyms, and two practice gyms. The golf teams sharpen their strokes at LaPorte Hall, boasting three golf simulators and an indoor putting green, while squash players volley across four courts nearby. Blenckstone baseball field includes two brand new batting cages, and both SPSG and SP students utilize their own weight and training rooms for off-season workouts.

St. Paul’s opened a new, state-of-the-art boys’ upper school building in 2020, and is preparing to unveil an $18 million renovation and expansion of the girls’ school for the 2025-26 academic year. The 25,000 square foot project will add dynamic spaces—including two makerspaces, eight science classrooms, a computing studio, and health and wellness suite—that integrate technology, invite collaboration, and activate hands-on learning.

Visit www.stpaulsmd.org/campusviews to get a glimpse of the opportunities that await your child and register for an upcoming admissions event to discover the view for yourself.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

Waldorf School of Baltimore

Cultivating out-of-the-box thinking requires unconventional teaching methods, and the Waldorf School of Baltimore vividly exemplifies this idea through a unique, arts-integrated, low-tech approach that sparks creativity and fosters long-lasting, deep engagement among students.

A hallmark of Waldorf education is the creation of Main Lesson books, meticulously crafted by students themselves. These books serve as physical manifestations of acquired knowledge and understanding, featuring intricate diagrams, vibrant illustrations, and detailed lesson summaries — a stark departure from the digital sharing and mass-produced worksheets often found in traditional education.

“I like that we don’t use computers unlike my other school; I am more engaged this way, and it just feels more real,” shares Liam, a seventh grader at Waldorf.

Teachers at Waldorf are dedicated to nurturing an inner enthusiasm for learning; an approach which eliminates the need for competitive testing and external rewards to motivate learning, fostering instead a capacity for the joyful, lifelong pursuit of knowledge and growth.

At Waldorf, students learn early and often that celebrating others’ success does not diminish their own achievements. As seventh grader Emily explains, “We learn not to compete with each other. Ms. Valencia encourages us to take pride in our own work and celebrate our friends’ accomplishments as well.”

For families seeking an educational environment that prioritizes creativity, fosters deep engagement, and values individual growth, the Waldorf School of Baltimore offers a distinctive, child-centered experience. It’s a place where learning is collaborative and meaningful, enabling students to thrive academically while also developing as compassionate individuals prepared to explore and discover their unique paths in life.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

Garrison Forest School is well-known for its educational program for girls K-12; did you know the school is also home to a co-ed Preschool program for Twos through PreKindergarten and a daycare serving children ages 6 weeks through 2 years old?

The Daycare at Garrison Forest is a full-day, five-day program offering a loving environment for our youngest learners. Limited enrollment ensures meaningful one-on-one interactions, while a robust curriculum focuses on benchmarks and developmental goals while leaving plenty of time for fun, playing and exploring.

As children grow, the Preschool at Garrison Forest provides the same caring approach with a robust curriculum that focuses on early literacy, math and social-emotional skills. It’s the perfect place for children to explore the school’s 110-acre campus as they learn in a joyful environment.

Read more about these programs at gfs.org/younglearners.

In The Associated’s newest episode of Around the Table, Beth Goldsmith sits down with local parents, Mindy, Amy and Ryan, to talk about the most pressing issues facing today’s teenage children.

Around the Table with Beth H. Goldsmith is a series where we focus on what is important to the members of our Baltimore Jewish community. Take a listen to the most recent episode by clicking the button below.

St. Timothy’s School

Deepened by the intellectual richness and independent learning approach of the globally renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) program, St. Timothy’s School provides girls with a unique, challenging education where students are encouraged to think critically and solve complex problems. Located on a beautiful 145-acre campus in Stevenson, Maryland, students from around the world thrive in a community of inquiry, creativity, and kindness. Twelfth grader Kiera and tenth grader Ally share some of their favorite aspects of St. Timothy’s School.

Ally feels challenged and supported by dedicated teachers and advisors who offer individualized attention to ensure academic success. Ally shares, “Teachers are always willing to help students by providing unwavering support and the encouragement to ask questions, both in and out of the classroom. Not only is the quality of the education invaluable, but the globally diverse student body provides an extraordinary opportunity to build lifelong friendships. A school with diverse cultures and opinions leads to greater understanding and appreciation.” Ally encourages prospective students to consider St. Timothy’s for its global student body and dedicated teachers who nurture critical thinking and a profound love for learning.

Kiera expressed her appreciation for the many traditions, two-week Winterim learning experiences, and sports teams that foster a sense of community. “In addition to my academic pursuits, I participated on several varsity sports teams, and my favorite memory is our lacrosse team winning the IAAM conference championship. After school, I enjoy connecting with girls from different grades on the fields or courts and reaching our team goals together.” Kiera’s advice from her St. Timothy’s high school experience is to keep an open mind and try new things, which broadened her global perspective and created lasting friendships with students from around the world.

To learn more about St. Timothy’s School, visit their website, www. stt.org.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

VOICES – Mind the Gap: Conversations Across Difference

October 16 at 7pm: Jane Tippett
Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII

History is nuanced in society and in families, including the royal family of Windsor, and the official story we have received may not be the whole story. Tippett will explore with us the tension between the stories of history we tell, and those we don’t.

Once a King is a fresh, gripping insight into the Duke of Windsor – King Edward VIII – who gave up the throne to marry the woman he loved, twice divorced American Wallis Simpson. Tippett weaves together Edward’s writing alongside newly uncovered interviews with the Duke and Duchess, diary entries from ghostwriter Charles Murphy and other sources. Together this forms an extraordinary new portrait of one of the most famous characters in modern royal history and his recollections and innermost feelings, particularly around the abdication of 1936.

Jane Marguerite Tippett grew up outside Philadelphia and studied at the Universities of Delaware and Oxford. She has worked as a consultant archivist and fine art curator to families and institutions in New York, London and Paris. She lives between London and New York.

VOICES, the Redeemer Speaker Series invites contemporary voices to challenge and inform us: artists and authors, visionaries and thought leaders, advocates of change courageous enough to hold the loveliness and sorrow of the world at once and find the wonder in both.

Mind the Gap: Conversations Across Difference

VOICES, the Redeemer Speaker Series invites contemporary voices to challenge and inform us: artists and authors, visionaries and thought leaders, advocates of change courageous enough to hold the loveliness and sorrow of the world at once and find the wonder in both.

All events will be held in the church starting at 7:00 p.m.

October 16: Jane Tippett
Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII

History is nuanced in society and in families, including the royal family of Windsor, and the official story we have received may not be the whole story. Tippett will explore with us the tension between the stories of history we tell, and those we don’t.

Once a King is a fresh, gripping insight into the Duke of Windsor – King Edward VIII – who gave up the throne to marry the woman he loved, twice divorced American Wallis Simpson. Tippett weaves together Edward’s writing alongside newly uncovered interviews with the Duke and Duchess, diary entries from ghostwriter Charles Murphy and other sources. Together this forms an extraordinary new portrait of one of the most famous characters in modern royal history and his recollections and innermost feelings, particularly around the abdication of 1936.

Jane Marguerite Tippett grew up outside Philadelphia and studied at the Universities of Delaware and Oxford. She has worked as a consultant archivist and fine art curator to families and institutions in New York, London and Paris. She lives between London and New York.

Click here for details.

October 23: Matthew Taylor

Matthew D. Taylor is senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where he specializes in American Christianity, American Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics.

His new book, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy (Broadleaf, 2024), tracks how a network of Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation was a major instigating force for the January 6th Insurrection and is currently reshaping the culture of the religious right in the U.S.He is also the author of Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christians’ America (Cambridge, 2023). Taylor holds a PhD in religious studies and Muslim-Christian relations from Georgetown University and an MA in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He also serves as an associate fellow at the Center for Peace Diplomacy in New Orleans, where he works on preventing religion-related violence surrounding U.S. elections.

Click here for details.

5603 N. Charles Street | Baltimore, MD 21210  www.redeemerbaltimore.org | 410-435-7333