A non-denominational private college preparatory boarding and day school located on a 110 acre campus in Owings Mills, Maryland. GFS offers kindergarten through 12th grade for girls as well as a co-educational program for pre-K and daycare. Garrison Forest School is dedicated to the intellectual, emotional, moral, physical, and spiritual growth of its students.
The school seeks to develop within each student a strong sense of integrity, identity, and self-esteem, reflecting its motto Esse Quam Videri: "To be and not to seem."
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: (Boarding Students) 8-12
- Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
- Enrollment: 548 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $70,475
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $41,150
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Garrison Forest School ranks among the top 5 all-girls schools (out of 20 all-girls schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Affordability
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
8-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
2-12
Year Founded
1910
1907
Campus Size
110 acres
120 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
548 students
315 students
% Students of Color
33%
26%
% International Students
10%
21%
% Students Boarding
27%
67%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1130 - 1275
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
78%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$42 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$70,475
$67,510
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$41,150
$36,000
Tuition international students
$78,185
$59,000
% Students on Financial Aid
47%
39%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,350
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Director of Admissions
Catie Gibbons
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
18
Courses
Art History, Art Portfolio, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, Environmental Science, French Language, French Literature, Latin Literature, Psychology, Spanish Language, U.S. History, World History
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
18
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
48
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
American Sign Language Club, Art Club, Asian Student Alliance, Black Student Alliance, Book Club, Debate Club, Forum (Student Government), Girl Up, Girls Advancing in STEM, Green Club, Habitat for Humanity Chapter, History Club, Honor Council Advisory Board, Jewish Student Alliance, Love Thy Neighbor, Mental Health Club, Mock Trial, Model UN, MS Book Club, MS Current Events, MS Keyboarding, MS Life Skills, MS Math Games, MS Newspaper, MS Writers Circle, Oasis Literary Art Magazine, One Love, Peer Tutoring - English, Photography Club, Politics Club, Psychology Club, Riding Club, Robotics Team, Science Behind Cooking Club, Science Hurricane Club, Service League, Service League (community service groups), Soup Kitchen (community service group), Spanish Club, Spectrum, Spirit Boosters, STITCH, Student Diversity Leadership Council, Students Against Drunk Driving, Teens Against Alzheimer's, The Paw Print (student newspaper), The Ragged Robin (yearbook)
Arts and Music Programs:
Musicale Event Club
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
98%
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Maryland
15
University of Virginia
14
Syracuse University
11
Kenyon College
6
Cornell University
5
University of Richmond
5
Duke University
4
Johns Hopkins University
4
Georgetown University
3
Princeton University
3
School Notes
-
The school's primary commitment is to develop and maintain a strong academic program designed to foster a spirit of inquiry, intellectual independence and enthusiasm for learning. Students are expected and encouraged to achieve their potential through a traditional program enhanced by innovative approaches. They are challenged, in and out of the classroom, to lead, to serve and to make decisions and to accept responsibilities for consequences. Respect, trust, warmth and joy combine to create an atmosphere in which all members of the school community can grow. Ultimately, the goal of Garrison Forest School is for each student to become confident and prepared to contribute to a complex and challenging world.In addition to strong academics and community, Garrison Forest School offers a variety of signature programs.
- Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is an experiential research program for juniors and seniors in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University. WISE participants are paired with JHU faculty and work as a member of a research team. Placements are made in JHU`s Whiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Archeological Museum. The project culminates in a final oral and written presentation for JHU and GFS faculty.
- The Jenkins Fellows Program empowers GFS students to promote and commit to global community service. Sophomores and juniors are invited to research opportunities and fellows are selected through a competitive application process. Jenkins Fellows immerse themselves in summer service and return to campus to present reflections on their experiences to the community. Jenkins Fellows serve as leaders of the student Service League Board for the remainder of their time at GFS. Recent projects include volunteering in an orphanage in Cambodia, working with Habitat for Humanity in Milwaukee, WI, volunteering in a hospital in the Czech Republic, mentoring children and working with tribal elders on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana and supporting young woman survivors of human trafficking in a Sicilian (Italy) community center.
- Independent Senior Project (ISP) students complete a twoweek unpaid internship in a professional environment at the end of their senior year. Recent ISP sites include Smithsonian Institution, Under Armour, Roominate (Silicon Valley start-up), T. Rowe Price, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Special Olympics, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Baltimore Magazine, NASA`s Goddard Space Center, Walt Disney Family Museum and Habitat for Humanity, as well as schools and other non-profit organizations.
- The Equestrian Institute is designed to give competitive riders the opportunity to advance their skills, expand their horsemanship knowledge and compete at a high level while enjoying the benefits and camaraderie of riding in a school program. Participation in the Equestrian Institute will combine an in-depth equestrian program with a full Garrison Forest academic curriculum uniquely customized for top riders. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to apply for this rigorous and personalized program that prepares girls to rise to the academic and athletic challenge of being student-riders at Garrison Forest and in college.
- Garrison Forest School accreditations: Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS), National Association of Independent Schools (AIMS)
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Elizabeth Littlefield '78 - President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
- Lara Schwartz '85 - Vice President of External Affairs for The American Association of People with Disabilities
- Helen Whitney '61 - Oscar nominated producer, director, and documentary writer
- Nicole Hansen '12 - Nationally ranked climber
- Rachel Pohl '74 - Help found ArtCorps, a health and human rights nonprofit
- Tiffany Thomas '85 - Set Director for HBO's Game Change
- Learic Cramer '96 - Northrup Grumman engineer and race car driver
- Julie Bowen '87 - Emmy Award-winning actress
- Beth Botsford '99 - Olympic Gold Medalist
- Adele Smith Simmons '59 - President of the Global Philanthropy Partnership, senior advisor to the World Economic Forum, first female dean at Princeton
- School Motto: Esse Quam Videri—To Be Rather Than To Seem
- School Mascot: Grizzly
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Garrison Forest School cost?
Garrison Forest School's tuition is approximately $70,475 for boarding students and $41,150 for day students.
Who are famous alumni from Garrison Forest School?
Garrison Forest School famous alumni include: Elizabeth Littlefield '78, Lara Schwartz '85, Helen Whitney '61, Nicole Hansen '12, Rachel Pohl '74, Tiffany Thomas '85, Learic Cramer '96, Julie Bowen '87, Beth Botsford '99 and Adele Smith Simmons '59.
What sports does Garrison Forest School offer?
Garrison Forest School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Polo, Riding, Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. Garrison Forest School is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does Garrison Forest School offer a summer program?
Yes, Garrison Forest School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Garrison Forest School's ranking?
Garrison Forest School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large student body (number of students), Least expensive tuition and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Garrison Forest School?
The application deadline for Garrison Forest School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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The nearest boarding school to Garrison Forest School is St. Timothy's School (3.9 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
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(443) 662-1009
12.3
8-12, PG
30
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(814) 684-3000
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(814) 684-3000
117.1
7-12, PG
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5-12, PG
235
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(434) 432-5516
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(434) 432-5516
228.8
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120
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(410) 486-7401
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(410) 486-7401
3.9
9-12, PG
175
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