Private Schools in Bethesda, MD: Which One Is the Right Fit?

Finding the right private school in Bethesda, MD, for your child is more than an academic decision. It’s your child’s future. Private schools vary widely in campus culture, class sizes, student-to-teacher ratios, curricula, tuition, schedules, and activities. With so many options to consider, choosing the right school for your child can feel overwhelming. This article dives into each private school in the Bethesda, Maryland, area, including: 

• Brightmont Academy
• Norwood School
• Washington Waldorf School
• Holton Arms School
• Landon
• Greentree
• Rochambeau The French International School

Private Schools in the Bethesda, Maryland Area 

Private schools in Bethesda, MD, offer a wide range of educational approaches, school environments, and opportunities for students. From traditional college-preparatory schools to alternative programs and one-to-one instruction, each school has its own approach to academics, student support, and extracurricular activities. Understanding these differences can help families narrow their options and find a private school that aligns with their child’s learning needs, goals, and interests.

Brightmont Academy: One-to-One Private School in Bethesda, MD

Founded in 1999, Brightmont Academy offers a different approach to private school education through one-to-one instruction. The Bethesda campus opened as part of Brightmont’s 2026 expansion, bringing the school’s personalized learning model to families in the area.

With a one-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, students work directly with an instructor who can tailor lessons, pacing, and instructional strategies to their individual needs. This approach gives students more opportunities to ask questions, focus on challenging concepts, and build confidence as they progress through their coursework.

Brightmont’s learning model can support a variety of goals and schedules:

• Personalized instruction: Lessons and pacing are adapted to each student’s academic needs, learning style, and goals.
• Flexible scheduling: Students can build a schedule that works around academics, athletics, performing arts, and other commitments.
• Fully accredited: Brightmont Academy is nationally accredited by Cognia and WASC, reflecting the school’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards.
• Academics: Brightmont offers opportunities for students to accelerate coursework or recover credits as they work toward graduation.
• Rolling enrollment: Families can enroll throughout the year rather than waiting for a traditional school-year start date.

Brightmont Academy’s mission is to provide customized one-to-one instruction that helps students reach their full academic potential and prepare for college and career.

Norwood School

Norwood School was established in 1952 and welcomes students to their 40-acre campus.  This co-educational school offers students grades K8 growth surrounded by art and music.  Norwood is an independent school that maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 5.7:1, and class sizes vary; exact numbers aren’t available on its website. Norwood School's vision: "A happy place of learning filled with art and music where each child feels supported and valued." 

Washington Waldorf School

Washington Waldorf School uses a play-based approach to nurture student growth.  Students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 will find the average class size is 18 students and offers a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio.  This is a close-knit environment with a strict lack of screen and digital devices policy. 

Students are encouraged to use their imaginations and build tactile skills. Skill-building classes include: blacksmithing, woodworking, textiles, and bookbinding.  Washington Waldorf School is an independent school established on 6 acres of campus with an additional daytime access to 6 acres of adjoining parkland.  They opened in 1969 and offer rolling admissions.  Students at Washington Waldorf School have the opportunity to participate in athletics and arts. Washington Waldorf School’s vision: "The Washington Waldorf School cultivates each student's capacity to think clearly, feel compassionately, and act purposefully in the world."

Holton-Arms School

Holton-Arms School is an all-girls school in grades 3-12 with rolling admissions.  Established in 1901, student growth is nurtured in an average 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio with average class sizes of 15 students.  Holton-Arms School offers athletics and performing arts centers.  Holton-Arms is a college preparatory day school and is considered an elite private school with over 600 students in the Bethesda, Maryland area. The campus is divided by grade into 3 schools and includes a dedicated science wing. Their motto supports leadership within the all-girls campus: "I will find a way or make one".

Landon School

Landon is an all-boys school, grades 3-12, with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio and average class sizes of 14 students.  Emphasis on small class sizes provides more support and guidance than the traditional classroom. Landon opened in 1929 and is established on a 75-acre campus. Landon no longer offers traditional AP courses and now focuses on how boys learn best. 

Students participate in community service projects and have 22 different athletics, all to build leadership and character. Their approach is global-minded with emphasis on leadership and service. Landon’s mission: “Dedicated to the ethical, intellectual, and personal development of boys, aiming to inspire them to think deeply, act with honor, and become well-rounded men of integrity who positively impact the world.” 

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Greentree School

Greentree is a transitional alternative school for grades 7-12.  Students learn in a 5:1 student-to-teacher Ratio.  Founded in 1915, it is one of the oldest private schools in Maryland.  It offers rolling admissions and a co-educational, non-traditional learning environment. 

Greentree is described as having a therapeutic approach, a bridge, for students transitioning from the Greentree Adolescent Program through the National Center for Children and Families. Greentree’s unofficial vision: "...to support the residents of the Greentree Adolescent Program (GAP) as they matriculate in neighborhood public schools or private special education programs." 

Rochambeau, The French International School

Rochambeau, The French International School was established in 1955.  The strict adherence to the French Curriculum and bilingual approach at Rochambeau include cultural preparedness and global travel opportunities.  Students at Rochambeau graduate with a Maryland High School Diploma. 

In high school, students choose between pursuing the global International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme or the elite French Baccalauréat featuring bilingual or trilingual international tracks (BFI). 

This is a large private school with over 1200 students on campus.  Students aged 2 through Grade 12 learn in a 9:1 student-to-staff ratio, in average classroom sizes of 14 students, nurtured in a co-educational immersive environment.  Rochambeau’s mission: "Rochambeau fosters excellence through rigorous, accredited French and International curricula. The school provides a safe and caring environment that welcomes students of all backgrounds and nationalities, nurturing them to become plurilingual, confident, and open-minded critical thinkers."

The Right Fit Private School for Your Child

When comparing private schools in Bethesda, MD, consider the factors that will have the biggest impact on your child’s day-to-day learning experience and overall success:

• Academic support: Look at how the school supports different learning needs and whether instruction can be adapted to your child.
• Class size: Consider the level of individual attention your child is likely to receive based on class size and student-to-teacher ratio.
• Scheduling: Think about whether the school’s schedule can accommodate your family and your child’s academic, athletic, or extracurricular commitments.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, visit the campus and talk with teachers and staff to get a sense of whether the school’s environment fits your student’s needs.

For families exploring a personalized approach to education, Brightmont Academy’s Bethesda campus offers one-to-one instruction tailored to each student’s needs. Schedule a tour to meet our team and learn more about the individualized learning experience.

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