Crossing the span for private schools

It was an interesting conversation to overhear. Two moms were talking about forming a carpool to transport their kids back and forth from their homes in Queen Anne's County to private school in Annapolis.

In the middle of that plan, of course, is the region's biggest hurdle - the Bay Bridge.

More than likely, these parents aren't alone. As the population increases on the Eastern Shore, families who prefer private schools over public are often left with no choice other than to face the traffic and cross the bridge.

According to Maryland's State Department of Education's Web site, there are only two "approved, nonpublic schools" in Queen Anne's County. And those schools, Gunston Day in Centreville and Wye River Upper School in Wye Mills, are limited to grades 9 through 12.

For lower grades, including pre-school, the choice is narrowed to seven others, all affiliated with churches.

"It is limiting," said Jean Fabi, economic development manager for Queen Anne's County Department of Development and Agriculture. "There are a limited number of private schools here to serve older children."

So it's Easton, Annapolis or beyond for those who prefer and have the means for private school.

"We talk about this a lot at our school, because we're one of the closest schools (on the Western Shore to the Eastern Shore)," said Marcia Hague, director of advancement for Chesapeake Academy in Arnold, which offers pre-school through 5th grade. "It's certainly an area we target."

"Our choices were limited," said Diane Inglesby of Chester, who with her husband Jim, chose the Key School in Hillsmere for their 7-year-old daughter Julia. "We only had the choice between this school (Key) and one other school that was not a good fit for our child."

And the drive is not an issue, she said.

"No, not at all," said Ms. Inglesby. "There's so many people coming over, I'm carpooling."

Officials at Key said they have recognized a growing number of Eastern Shore students making their way to the school.

Kim and John Murphy of Grasonville also bring their daughter, Kaila, 6, to Key, though like Mr. Inglesby, Mr. Murphy has an office on the Annapolis side of the bridge.

"I found a lot of people who live over here (Eastern Shore) send their kids to school over there, because they work in Annapolis or Washington," said Ms. Murphy. "We decided there are better schools in Anne Arundel County."

There's certainly more choice than just two.

The state department of education Web site shows 49 "approved nonpublic schools" in Anne Arundel County.

"It looks like we're holding steady - every year we have between three and five that make the trip over the bridge," said Elaine Nagey, director of policy and communications for the Indian Creek School in Crownsville, which has 641 students.

"I'm really not surprised," said Ron Goldblatt, executive director of the Association of Independent Maryland Schools in Glen Burnie. "The stakes in education are so high these days, parents are often willing to transport their kids longer distances to provide these opportunities. If you look at the global economy, parents are realizing the implications of a competitive global environment and providing their kids with world class education. That's what these kids get at these independent schools."

Such was the catalyst for the Murphys and their daughter Kaila. There was never a choice between private and public, they said.

"It was always going to be a private school," said Ms. Murphy, who started driving longer distances even before Kaila started at Key. "Kaila went to pre-school at Kent School, but that's Kent County in Chestertown."

That's about a 30-mile drive for pre-school.

At the start of this school year, Kaila and Julia began first grade during the recent bridge repairs. While it wasn't easy or fun, both families said life on the Eastern Shore suits them just fine.

"When the bridge isn't messed up, it only takes about 30 minutes to get here," Ms. Murphy said.

That is until Friday afternoon, the two chatting moms said. It seemed that time slot was destined from the beginning for delegation - to the husbands.

Donna L. Cole is a freelance writer living in the Annapolis area.