Authentic, brave, compassionate, curious, spirited. Students thrive at Garrison Forest School (GFS), where they canbe their authentic selves as they lead, create and innovate withconfidence. Dedicated, highly engaged faculty members know eachstudent and what's important to them.
The Boyce Center for Learning and Thriving provides holisticsupport that helps all students become the best version ofthemselves, with a focus on academic support, growth and enrichmentand wellness and well-being.
The 110-acre GFS campus gives students the space to explore,featuring an outdoor classroom for younger students,state-of-the-art athletic fields and an equestrian center that ishome to nationally recognized riding and polo programs.
National and international boarding students in grades 8-12find a welcoming home base and vibrant community where they aresupported by on-campus faculty residents. Garrison Forest Schoolserves all girls in grades K12, with co-ed programs available atthe Preschool level.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: (51³Ô¹ÏÍø Students) 8-12
- Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
- Enrollment: 548 students
- Yearly Tuition (51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 18 all-girls schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (51³Ô¹ÏÍø)
8-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
9-12
Year Founded
1910
1907
Campus Size
110 acres
130 acres
School Motto
Esse Quam Videri—To Be Rather Than To Seem
Student Body
Enrollment
548 students
320 students
% Students of Color
33%
27%
% International Students
10%
20%
% Students 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
27%
66%
Average SAT Score
1202
(Out of 1600)
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1130 - 1275
-
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
19
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
79%
73%
Summer Program Details
Accreditations
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
Small 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Schools Associations (SBSA)
Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
Small 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Schools Associations (SBSA)
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
19
18
Courses
Art HistoryArt Portfolio
BiologyCalculus AB
Calculus BCChemistry
EconomicsEnglish Language
Environmental ScienceFrench Language
French LiteratureLatin Literature
PsychologySpanish Language
U.S. HistoryWorld History
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$42 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(51³Ô¹ÏÍø Students)
(51³Ô¹ÏÍø Students)
$70,475
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$41,150
$38,970
Tuition international students
$78,185
$58,300
% Students on Financial Aid
47%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,350
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Director of Admissions
Catie Perich
Tasha Landis
Tasha Landis
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
18
17
School Mascot
Grizzly
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
48
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
American Sign Language ClubArt Club
Asian Student AllianceBlack Student Alliance
Forum (Student Government)Girl Up
Girls Advancing in STEMGreen Club
Habitat for Humanity ChapterHistory Club
Honor Council Advisory BoardJewish Student Alliance
Love Thy NeighborMental Health Club
MS Book ClubMS Current Events
MS KeyboardingMS Life Skills
MS Math GamesMS Newspaper
MS Writers CircleOasis Literary Art Magazine
One LovePeer Tutoring - English
Photography ClubPolitics Club
Psychology ClubRiding Club
Robotics TeamScience Behind Cooking Club
Science Hurricane ClubService League
Service League (community service groups)Soup Kitchen (community service group)
Spirit BoostersSTITCH
Student Diversity Leadership CouncilStudents Against Drunk Driving
Teens Against Alzheimer'sThe 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 strongacademic program designed to foster a spirit of inquiry,intellectual independence and enthusiasm for learning. Students areexpected and encouraged to achieve their potential through atraditional program enhanced by innovative approaches. They arechallenged, in and out of the classroom, to lead, to serve and tomake decisions and to accept responsibilities for consequences.Respect, trust, warmth and joy combine to create an atmosphere inwhich all members of the school community can grow. Ultimately, thegoal of Garrison Forest School is for each student to becomeconfident and prepared to contribute to a complex and challengingworld.In addition to strong academics and community, Garrison ForestSchool offers a variety of signature programs.
- Women in Science and Engineering(WISE)isan experiential research program forjuniors and seniors in partnership with the Johns HopkinsUniversity. WISE participants are paired with JHU faculty and workas a member of a research team. Placements are made in JHU`sWhiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences,Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns HopkinsArcheological Museum. The project culminates in a final oral andwritten presentation for JHU and GFS faculty.
- The Jenkins Fellows Programempowers GFSstudents to promote and commit to global community service.Sophomores and juniors are invited to research opportunities andfellows are selected through a competitive application process.Jenkins Fellows immerse themselves in summer service and return tocampus to present reflections on their experiences to thecommunity. Jenkins Fellows serve as leaders of the student ServiceLeague Board for the remainder of their time at GFS. Recentprojects include volunteering in an orphanage in Cambodia, workingwith Habitat for Humanity in Milwaukee, WI, volunteering in ahospital in the Czech Republic, mentoring children and working withtribal elders on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation inMontanaand supporting young woman survivors of humantrafficking in a Sicilian (Italy) community center.
- Independent Senior Project (ISP)studentscomplete a twoweek unpaid internship in a professional environmentat the end of their senior year. Recent ISP sites includeSmithsonian Institution, Under Armour, Roominate (Silicon Valleystart-up), T. Rowe Price, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Special Olympics,Metropolitan Museum of Art, Baltimore Magazine, NASA`s GoddardSpace Center, Walt Disney Family Museum and Habitat for Humanity,as well as schools and other non-profit organizations.
- The Equestrian Instituteis designed togive competitive riders the opportunity to advance their skills,expand their horsemanship knowledge and compete at a high levelwhile enjoying the benefits and camaraderie of riding in a schoolprogram. Participation in the Equestrian Institute will combine anin-depth equestrian program with a full Garrison Forest academiccurriculum uniquely customized for top riders. Students in grades6-12are eligible to apply for this rigorous and personalizedprogram that prepares girls to rise to the academic and athleticchallenge of being student-riders at Garrison Forest and incollege.
- 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
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.
Does Garrison Forest School offer a summer program?
Yes, Garrison Forest School offers a summer program. Visit their 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).
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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