Academic Calendar

Athletic Calendar

Students and teachers sit at rectangular tables in the newly renovated Science and Library Center
Upper School athletes pose in their baseball, lacrosse and tennis uniforms on a green field with a fence in the background
Five Lower School boys smile and give the thumbs up sign to the camera while standing on the green athletic field
Head of the First School Becky Fetters sits with and smiles at a First School male student who smiles back at her
Head of School Matthew Nespole greets two Lower School kids outside of their school building
Four Upper School girls sit outside in the woods and pose with their arms around each other smiling
Two First School girls mimic the hand motions of the male faculty member standing next to them
Upper School students stand holding First School students outside while a row of more First School students sit in front
A girl with blonde hair holds her graduation diploma and hugs an adult
A Middle School male student paints a ceramic shoe in art class
A First School girl dressed in pink holds up yellow binoculars to her eyes and gazes around the playground
Five Upper School girls sing and dance on stage during a performance
An adult faculty member holds her hands up which crouched on the ground while First School children mimic her actions
Two Middle School girls have their arms around each other and smile while wearing their Cross Country uniforms outside
One female and one male student try to work out a science problem with the help of their male teacher
Four Middle School kids stand outside smiling one a green soccer field
Upper School students stand on the edge of a marsh and look down to see what organisms live in the water
A group of 18 Middle School students hold a rainbow banner that says Key School Welcomes All outside on campus
Two First School boys help an Upper School boy plant green plants in the brown dirt under a tree
One female and two male Middle School students use tools to investigate the organisms they have pulled from the water
Six Middle School boys have their arms around each other and pose with a football while standing on a green field

Key School is founded upon the conviction that children are innately curious about themselves and the world; they want to learn, they want to discover, and they want to create.

Explore Our Divisions

First School, 2.5 yrs old - Kindergarten

Our First Schoolers delight in a caring, play-based introduction to school taught by experienced early childhood educators and specialists in science, language arts, music, art, PE, Life Skills, MakerSpace, and library. Each day at Key comprises new adventures – in and out of the classroom – with teachers who place the highest priority on building self-confidence and developing the whole child. 

Discover Key's First School

Lower School, Grades 1-4

The excitement and enthusiasm for learning in our Lower School extends well beyond the classroom walls. Students are consistently encouraged to question, hypothesize, reason, problem-solve, and work with their classmates and teachers to grapple with new ideas –  all while having fun. With an emphasis on experiential learning, students develop a positive attitude toward school, learning, and themselves.

Discover Key's Lower School

Middle School, Grades 5-8

Our Middle School students immerse themselves in our renowned academic program that emphasizes collaboration, inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary studies, and a global perspective. At the same time, they experience meaningful connections with their teachers and peers, value and respect the differences of others, and forge a positive outlook on learning and their future. Key offers a community environment where excellence, self-confidence, empathy, and joy are nurtured.

Discover Key's Middle School

Upper School, Grades 9-12

Hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom and a renowned academic curriculum propels Upper School students to unparalleled outcomes and instills in them the skills and confidence necessary to be leaders at Key School and in life.

Discover Key's Upper School

The Key Difference

Learn what makes Key one of the most sought-after educations in Maryland.

Personalized Learning

 

Small class sizes in a tight-knit community allow teachers to know their students well and tailor learning to their strengths, needs and interests.

Foundational Curriculum, Innovative Approach

 

Key’s innovative approach to teaching and learning sets us apart from other independent schools.

Unparalleled Student Outcomes

various athletes standing together

Key’s renowned academic program emphasizes inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary studies, and produces unparalleled student outcomes.

Diverse, Inclusive Community

 

Key School has a long tradition of welcoming and supporting students and faculty from all backgrounds and experiences.

In Their Own Words

JENNIFER MEIGEL

Current Parent

"It’s truly the whole package of strong academics, the family experience, and a caring faculty."

CAMILLE CARR '16

Key Alum

“My job in tech is to create solutions to new problems - a skill I attribute to Key's multidisciplinary curriculum." 

REID CHAPMAN

Class of 2023 Graduate

“I feel completely at home with my peers, teachers and coaches who support and guide me every day.”

KEVIN GURUBATHAM

Upper School Humanities

"I love the shared intellectual curiosity at Key; being constantly challenged to engage and grow."

Key by the Numbers

6:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

32%

Families Receiving Financial Aid

84%

Of Graduates Earned College Merit Scholarships

39%

Students of Color

21

League Championships
(2019-2023)

75%

Of Faculty Have Advanced Degrees

1304

Average SAT Score
(national average is 1051)

46%

Key Acceptance Rate
(local private school acceptance average is 80%)