Calvert School

105 Tuscany Road

Baltimore, MD 21210

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by student on January 23, 2024

I am a student here at calvert and I enjoy it, but don't at the same time. I can definitely say that the Middle School is better than the Lower School. I like some of the teachers, and I don't like some of the teachers. Sometimes, teachers can be quite unfair, but it is still fun. The homework isn't too challenging and the teaching is decent. The only major problem is definitely the students and situations. I don't think it is the school's fault for the children acting like this, but rather the parents'. I see kids crying a lot, almost everyday because of the rude and hurtful words others say. I think the teachers need to be a little bit more active about it and understanding. It's a great school of your children to learn, but the learning system has went downwards since the pandemic. It really is a great school, but I just recommend for parents to watch out for certain kids, because sometimes they could change your kid.
Submitted by student on April 28, 2023

They do not care for their students. Favor a few and don't care for others.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2021

The Headmaster is (unfortunately) very caught up in everyday politics. Preaching to "follow science" yet consistently taking the most extreme stance with Masking, Travel restrictions in the 2021-2022 school year for families (even now when most are fully vaccinated), and molding school protocols from fear and mob-like judgement rather than true science. It's extremely disappointing that his leadership has led to an environment where children are afraid of the world instead of empowered to make decisions independently and free of group-think judgement. While we have had a good experience up until covid, the school has significantly shifted into political turmoil. We are now looking into other options for our children. We hope that the school administration will truly consider the children and their best interests instead of optics.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2021

I have two children that attend this school and our experience has truly been WONDERFUL! Both my son and daughter LOVE to go to school each day and have developed great friendships and a sense of community. The teachers and staff are phenomenal and truly enjoy what they do. They are always putting the kids first and embracing ways to ensure that they are providing the best education possible. This has been so evident this past year as all of the faculty & staff came together to make it safely possible for our kids to attend school in-person while also creating a robust remote learning platform for those children who are unable to be in the classroom. I can't say enough about how amazing this school has been for our family and I feel blessed to be a part of this community!
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2021

My girls love going to school each day. The teachers are caring, and the curriculum is relevant and stimulating. During the COVID crisis, Calvert has continued to navigate the challenges very well and keep children in the classroom - in large part, thanks to the thoughtful planning of the head master and the enthusiasm of the faculty. I'm so proud to be part of this community!
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2019

This school is great for kids who fit into their box of expectations. But if your child is different in anyway do not send your child here.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

We have absolutely loved our experience at Calvert School. My child started in 5th age this year and it has been an incredible experience. The school communicates very clearly and effectively. The kids are excited about learning and enjoy being challenged. My child has grown in confidence and skills consistently throughout the year, become comfortable with public speaking, and developed many great friends. The other families at the school have been very warm and welcoming. We love that Calvert meets kids where they are, and allows them to stay with age-appropriate peers but remain challenged at their own level. For example, my child was able reading upon entering Calvert and they formed a special small group to meet once weekly to help a small group of children continue to grow in these skills. In addition they divide the kids into small groups for language arts and math, allowing them to build skills and confidence while remaining challenged. We looked at many independent schools and Calvert was the only school that did this for 5th age and this stood out to us. In 5th age they are exposed to foreign language, technology, science, art, music, library, and a planetarium in their first year. I see a happy, creative, 5 year old who takes pride and their work and is excited about going to school. We had very high expectations for Calvert and they have been exceeded this year!!
Submitted by other on November 21, 2016

While Calvert still has a good reputation, certain issues are beginning to turn into larger more systemic problems. Teachers seem to not feel supported by the leadership of the school and some of them come across as pretty exhausted. One main reason is the lack of a consistent discipline policy across the grades. Current practice, even for troubling infractions such as consistent bullying of others or blatant academic cheating, does provoke nothing more serious than the proverbial slap on the wrist. Instead, teachers are left to their own devices, having to find their own ways of dealing with difficult students. In this process, some are more successful than others in implementing their own approach to discipline. Some seem to be close to giving up. Serious issues remain unaddressed because the individual teacher may only do that much, even with the best of intentions. For example, there are some well-known difficult students, some would call them bullies. However, instead of making every attempt to reign in the bullying behavior, the leadership did nothing much. Instead, the victims of the bullies decided to leave the school because they felt harmed and not supported. This sets an awful precedent. Parents are worried that their concerns will only elicit a “then go to another school” comment and teachers are worried they might get fired when addressing their concerns. The belief seems to be that change might only come through the leadership of the School Board. Yet, people, including myself, are scared to speak up, nobody wants to go against the grain. The whole situation is a result of weak leadership and "in-breeding." If you are a new parent who is interested in enrolling their child at Calvert, please ask the administration, admissions, the teachers and current parents about their thoughts and approach to discipline. It is a great school but needs some tweaking to remain so for years to come.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2016

Calvert provides students with a solid foundation in the academic fundamentals while also emphasizing the importance of good citizenship. As a K-8 school, middle school students have numerous leadership opportunities that would not be available to them in large K-12 setting. A Calvert education set students on a path of lifelong learning and success!
Submitted by other on January 03, 2016

I agree with the previous person who posted. The administration changed 2 yrs ago. We used to love this school (under Drs. Martire and Trusty). The new head of the lower school is inept. Recently there was a case of a 10 yr old girl who posted horrible comments about the physical attributes of a classmate using a shared computer account and did so under another girl's name. After interviews, it became obvious who the culprit was, but she became conveniently "sick" before Xmas break. The lower school head Elizabeth Martin (who was promoted from reading specialist to lower school head; not even a search was conducted!) never discussed the situation with the parents involved. Instead she told the girls, "It will take too much time to figure out who did this using the computer records, so don't do this." There are also a few VERY weak teachers whom Martin can not or will not address, and the head of the school Holmgren is rabidly against any discussion. When parents raise concerns, the attitude is, "Then go somewhere else." This school now works hard to appease parents whose kids complain there is too much work that interferes with sports. The middle school open house featured three inarticulate kids who said as much. We had so much hope for this school when we started a few years back under Drs. Martire and Trusty. We will likely be leaving at the end of this year. We are transplants to Baltimore, and this is a place that seems to be regressing into gender roles of old and attitudes of the old South, not advancing into the 21st century.
Submitted by other on August 19, 2015

I chose Calvert for my child because of the structure and the rigor of the curriculum. The administration and curriculum changed in the past 2 years. Now Calvert is headed in the direction of being just another independent school that will not produce the same level of students as it did in the past. The school is nurturing and the facilities are great but I can find that at any independent school. What made Calvert great was that Calvert made students love to strive for excellence at a higher level than other independent schools. So, if you want an average independent school experience Calvert is a fine choice. If your child is advanced or excels when the bar is high then Calvert is probably not a good fit.
Submitted by other on March 05, 2014

Where do I even start. Calvert has formed who I am. I am graduating this year and have been at CS since kindergarten. You can tell if it is a Calvert kid from a mile away. Every morning the student walks in and gives the principal a firm handshake and look in the eye, yes, from pre-k all the way to 8th grade. Not even including the rigorous academics, that will help one in the real world. Public speaking, and so much more subjects besides the normal. The facilities are quite fantastic for a K-8, and every student has the ability to play on the sports field, in gym, recess, and interscholastically starting in 6th grade. Calvert teaches co-ed and single sex, which is one of a kind. Now that I have one step out the door, I am truly honored to have gone here, and I will be able to pick where I want to go to high school. The high school placement process has an over 90% acceptance rate for first choice schools. Going through this process, admissions at other Baltimore private schools would say, "Oh, you're from Calvert." This school is amazing, and I don't know who I would have formed to be if I didn't go to this school and had the amazing classmates that I did.
Submitted by other on November 14, 2013

I am a Calvert School graduate from the lower school. I understand not all of you will agree with my opinion, but Calvert put me through some really rough times. While providing the structure I needed growing up, I found the school very lacking in artistic and creative encouragement. I made some long lasting friends and many good memories there, but all in all, it was a harsh, rigid, extremely structured environment. I would recommend this school to anyone for the first few years, but I needed to get out. It may have changed since I attended, but this is my experience.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2013

My husband and I live, literally, paycheck to paycheck to send our daughter to Calvert. Our investment is worth every penny! Yes, the curriculum is challenging. Yes, we love the teaching staff and administrators. Yes, Calvert strikes the right balance between robust academics and opportunities for the students to "get out the giggles and wiggles" via recess or PE. But from our perspective, the intangible benefits of a Calvert School education is the distinguishable feature that separates Calvert from other private schools and why we will continue to sacrifice in lieu of the public school alternative. Our daughter is independent, confident, articulate, intelligent, and well-rounded. She is respectful, compassionate, and responsible. All of the faculty and administrators know my daughter by name; but more importantly she knows each of them, including the indispensable groundskeeping, housekeeping, and cafeteria staffs. Calvert is a cohesive family where everyone is valued and appreciated. While we instill these same values and principles in our child, Calvert teaches and reinforces these values in every aspect to develop a leader and solid citizen in our community.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Calvert School brings out the very best in its students. Our son and daughter can't wait to go to school each day, and the range of subjects they are learning is, in a word, phenomenal. We are witnessing firsthand how Calvert plays a role in shaping boys and girls into impressive young individuals.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

We have only experienced the Lower School and so are not in a position to review the Middle School. Calvert has a traditional and structured style. The students learn in a mostly same sex environment, with coed specialty groups. Uniform is comfortable (Khakis & shirts for boys, plaid jumper for girls). The environment is respectful for all. Academic standards and personal attention are balanced. Courses require focus; students have assignments and receive. There is a premium on fundamental abilities: reading, writing, speech, math, problem solving, etc. with exposure to computers and art. Calvert is a haven of childhood holiday celebrations, patriotism, and plays /assemblies. Environment is insulated and safe. The academic preparation is outstanding. You can expect an honest assessment. Calvert is welcoming and actively seeks diversity. Graduates receive an excellent education and will be extremely well prepared and typically successful at the next level. Admission testing is a reliable predictor. Socially, my daughter has made wonderful friends, with whom she plays sports, has sleepovers, etc. The kids are terrific and the families are strong in the community.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

Our two daughters love to learn at Calvert School. Calvert focuses on the fundamentals -- excellent writing skills through weekly compositions, reading and mathematics with developmental-based small groups, and a teaching staff that is supportive and caring while expecting the most our of their students. Calvert also focuses on all the great extras, like foreign language, art, history, science, physical education, mythology, music and art history. My daughters can use the new piano lab before school starts three days a week for practice time, and they learn about astrology by using the Calvert planetarium. Here's just one reason to love Calvert: One member of the administration -- including Lower School Head Dr. Ed Trusty and Headmaster Andrew Holmgren -- sit down with each student every month and comment on their folder papers. They are truly engaged with the students' academic lives!
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

We absolutely LOVE Calvert School! We have two boys who attend the school and they have grown by leaps and bounds in the time they've attended Calvert. The faculty and staff are engaged, enthusiastic and incredible communicators. They are also compassionate, caring and supportive. We truly feel like we are part of the "Calvert Family"! We also feel incredibly fortunate that our children are able to attend such a magnificent school. The Seward Family
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

Calvert has a special way of challenging children while making it fun and interesting. My children never want to miss a single day!
Submitted by other on September 27, 2013

I am a proud Calvert alumna. My Calvert education provided me with a solid foundation and a love of learning I that would not have received at any other school. The history, tradition, and approach to teaching truly make Calvert a world-class education! I am so grateful to my parents for sending me to Calvert!