Garrison Forest School

300 Garrison Forest Rd

Owings Mills, MD 21117

10 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 08, 2024

This review is for the lower school; we ended up applying out. We had some really great teachers, and then in like a years time all of the staff either retired or quit. Academics here are very slow. If your child is gifted in any way, this is not the school for you. Most families are receiving a lot of aid or work for the school so there is a lot of bias. Physical bullying is a problem and no one seems to want to deal with it. There are still some good teachers, but the administration seems disinterested in helping.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2024

My daughter called just to inquire and based on her voice they assumed she needed financial assistance. She spoke to one person who hung up on her, she then called back thinking maybe the called dropped . At this point someome else answered, my daughter inquired about their 6th grade program she was told the deadline expired and they were not offering financial aid at this time. I decided to read some of the reviews we dodged a bullet ...
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2023

My daughter was in the lower school and we left after realizing how far behind she was compared to her friends at Bryn Mawr. The school does not effectively handle the girls with behavior problems and allows them to stay and continue to be a disruption to the rest of the students. What was once a hidden gem has quickly become a social experiment. Pick any other school in Baltimore and you'll probably have a better experience.
Submitted by other on April 09, 2017

Warning: this school has cliques. You are either in or you're out, and it's awful especially if you are creative, different, not a preppie, artistic, or haven't attended from Pre-K (known as "a lifer"). Teachers and admin are OK to good with a few great ones but are fed up with the girls and their attitudes, and their overbearing parents. President of school just left after only 2 years and she was excellent. Head of Upper School just left also after just 2 years. Both had kids at the school and got free tuition which says a lot. One student was recently expelled for tripping a teacher in class, who fell on the floor, while the student snap chatted the whole thing! How mean is that?! The arts programs leave a lot to be desired, especially middle school music which is basically just chorus (and just mediocre).
Submitted by other on October 04, 2016

The teachers are very good, a significant few are not, the campus is idyllic, academics are good but not as rigorous as they should be. They do a stellar job selling prospective applicants on the school, but we found that it is not at all the school they marketed to us. It only suits a certain type of student and family (Lacrosse players, Lily Pulitzer, Range Rovers, polo players, daughters and grandaughters of alum etc.) We wanted a progressive, academically rigorous school, with a kind and inclusive student body. We found it to be disappointingly conventional, archaically punitive in regards to discipline, with average academics and a significant "mean girls" environment. We left in 2016, mainly because of the mean girls. Also we did not want our daughter having these girls, many of whom are fixated on spray tans and Hunter boots, as her peers. I know of 3 other families who left in 2016, and one who left in 2013, for this same reason. And these were very nice families. The new administration does not reach out to do exit interviews with the families who leave, missing out on valuable data about what needs to change (which says a lot about their willingness and ability to change the status quo in the future). They repeatedly tout their "5 Core Values" (kindness, compassion etc.) and how important they are, yet it's clear that the student body as a whole does not embody or truly care about these values - it's the opposite, and mostly all surface, like a mini country club. We are so glad that we left. Look carefully before you enroll your daughter here - although many reviewers give it positive reviews, for our family it was a huge disappointment.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2016

Amazing teachers, administrators, families and students. My daughter started in 6th grade and is starting her 7th grade year. She has made wonderful friendships and learned so much beyond the typical things you learn in a book. She has learned to debate, to self advocate, to be organized and prepared and to take responsibility for her actions. I cannot wait to see what else she learns!
Submitted by other on July 11, 2016

I attended Garrison Forest School for 12 years. It was definitely the best experience of my life. A class of 54 girls allowed us to be a close knit group and grow together as a team. The classes were even smaller thus allowing for a really personal learning experience. The teachers were all absolutely fantastic and challenged us daily. The Campus is absolutely stunning and very well maintained. After 12 years it definitely felt like home. 9 years later, I find myself missing the experience and wishing I could go back. I was a member of the tennis team and the Riding team both of which provided wonderful experiences that played a big role in the person I am today. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants an excellent education as well as great relationships with both student and faculty. GO LIGHTS!!
Submitted by other on June 17, 2016

We only have experience with the Preschool and I cannot recommend it enough. Our son was introduced to "school" through the Two's program and it was a phenomenal way for him to discover and explore his independence. He just finished the Three's program and we've continued to be impressed with teachers and curriculum, including the "specials" of science, gym, music and library. He's happy to go to school and, at this age, I think his enthusiasm for school is more important than academic progress (though he has learned a great deal). He loves his teachers and enjoys their company.The head of the preschool, Zibby, stresses that GFS is a place for families and we've found that to be true. It feels like a home away from home, with wonderful classmates, parents and friends. Our son was admitted to one of the more selective preschools in DC, but we declined the invitation and chose Garrison Forest for this reason. We've never regretted that decision.We're looking forward to our youngest starting the Two's program next fall. She's already so comfortable there, and her first stop during drop-off is always Mrs. Isenhour's office to say hello. It's just a wonderful, nurturing place. We feel so lucky that our kids' first taste of formal education is with people who genuinely care about them.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2016

Teachers like Tung Laoshi and Lin Laoshi have been committed to their students, recognizing their potential. The international students enrich the American students experience.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

I have two daughters at Garrison Forest (we have experienced every Division from Preschool to Upper School), and they (and we) love it! There could not be a more warm, invested, impressive group of faculty -- each teacher seems not only to be passionate about her or his subject, but also cares deeply about the craft of teaching. They innovate, prompt students to think deeply and creatively, and flex to challenge or support individual students in very thoughtful ways. At one point we considered moving to another school (the commute for us is really long), but it became clear when we "shopped around" that no one else seemed to quite as committed to helping each girl go as far as she could go. And the campus --let's face it, it's gorgeous! (There has been a recent change in leadership at the top, with a long time male Head, who had done an excellent job of leading the school retiring, but the new, young female Head seems to be just right for the school as well: warm, good listener, and clearly very smart!).