Norwood School is a coeducational, independent, diverse day school, with 450 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school sits on 40 sprawling acres in Bethesda, Maryland, less than six miles from Washington, D.C. As one of the finest PK-8 schools in the country, Norwood sets the bar high and is committed to educating the whole childmind, body, and spiritduring the most critical years of a child's development, with an intentional balance of academic excellence and social-emotional learning. Norwood implements its mission through these core beliefs: The Power of PK-8. Norwood deliberately celebrates childhood for as long as possible. Our attention and resources proudly go to lower school and middle school. There is no doubt our children are empowered, successful, known, and loved.
How You Lead Your Life Matters. Education at its heart is a moral endeavor. Our students, faculty, and staff lead by example.
A Just-Right Approach. Our dynamic, integrated curriculum-focused on academic excellence-challenges and supports each student's intellectual development.
Strength in Differences. The inclusion of diverse perspectives nourishes our common humanity and builds understanding, empathy, and social responsibility in our school community and beyond.
Joyful Learning. Great emphasis is placed on making learning a joyful student-centered process, where children are actively engaged in their education and love coming to school.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Top Ranked MD School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 453 students
- Yearly Tuition: $45,370
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Norwood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1952
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
453 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
25%
State avg.: 37%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
77 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
61%
Average Class Size
10 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Nice school clothes; no jeans
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15
Yearly Tuition Cost
$45,370
Tuition Notes
PK $29,600; K $39,420; grades 1-2 $40,940; grades 3-4 $42,880; grades 5-8 grades $45,370.
Summer Program Cost Notes
Located about one mile from the capital beltway on our beautiful 40 acre campus in Bethesda, Maryland, Summer at Norwood is a happy place of learning where memories are made and kids camp happy!Programs reflect our focus on innovative and immersive experiences. Our outstanding team of teachers and counselors help provide an environment where every camper feels free to be themselves, where creativity is allowed to flourish, and where the focus is on friendships and play. Most of all, Summer at Norwood is a welcoming place where campers feel known.We provide a wide variety of classes and programs to choose from. Our innovative offerings include art, STEM, dance, theater, outdoor adventures, cooking, sports, and many more specialty offerings.We hope you enjoy the site and invite you to contact us anytime!
% on Financial Aid
23%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$25,000
Admissions Director
Alex Ragone
Admissions Associate
Kaylyn French
Endowment Size
$20 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
15 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
15 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
& Diversity (SUCCEED), Book Clubs, Competitive Math Teams, Debate Team, Ethnicity, GLOW, Math Clubs, Model UN, SEEDling, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Students Seeking Understanding & Celebrating Culture, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Suzuki Strings, Theatrical Productions
& Diversity (SUCCEED), Book Clubs, Competitive Math Teams, Debate Team, Ethnicity, GLOW, Math Clubs, Model UN, SEEDling, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Students Seeking Understanding & Celebrating Culture, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Suzuki Strings, Theatrical Productions
School Notes
Norwood School is a coeducational, independent, diverse day school,
with 450 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The
school sits on 40 sprawling acres in Bethesda, Maryland, less than
six miles from Washington, D.C.
As one of the finestPK-8schools in the country, Norwood sets the bar high and is committed to educating the whole childmind, body, and spiritduring the most critical years of a child's development, with an intentional balance of academic excellence and social-emotional learning.
Norwood implements its mission through these core beliefs:
As one of the finestPK-8schools in the country, Norwood sets the bar high and is committed to educating the whole childmind, body, and spiritduring the most critical years of a child's development, with an intentional balance of academic excellence and social-emotional learning.
Norwood implements its mission through these core beliefs:
- The Power of PK-8.Norwood deliberately celebrates childhood for as long as possible. Our attention and resources proudly go to lower school and middle school. There is no doubt our children are empowered, successful, known, and loved.
- How You Lead Your Life Matters.Education at its heart is a moral endeavor. Our students, faculty, and staff lead by example.
- A Just-Right Approach.Our dynamic, integrated curriculum-focused on academic excellence-challenges and supports each student's intellectual development.
- Strength in Differences.The inclusion of diverse perspectives nourishes our common humanity and builds understanding, empathy, and social responsibility in our school community and beyond.Joyful Learning.Great emphasis is placed on making learning a joyful student-centered process, where children are actively engaged in their education and love coming to school.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Norwood School cost?
Norwood School's tuition is approximately $45,370 for private students.
Does Norwood School offer a summer program?
Yes, Norwood School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Norwood School offer?
Norwood School offers 15 interscholastic sports: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. Norwood School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for most sports offered.
What is Norwood School's ranking?
Norwood School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Maryland for: Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Norwood School?
The application deadline for Norwood School is Jan. 15.
School Reviews
5 10/6/2023
Norwood has provided both of our two very different children opportunities to shine emotionally, socially, and academically. The teachers and administrators have taken the time to get to know each of our children individually and us as a family so that the learning opportunities have been catered to them specifically. They are attuned to their specific strengths recognize opportunities for growth, and scaffold their learning environment around them. The school also has a wide range of specials and after-school programs so that there is something for everyone. Norwood is truly child-centered, and we are so grateful our children are part of this educational community.
5 10/6/2023
Norwood has been an excellent environment for both of our very different children. Through the homeroom classroom environment, specials, and after-school enrichment, both of our children have been able to shine in their own unique ways. The teachers and administrators take time to get to know each child individually and create opportunities to demonstrate their strengths and for growth. We are so grateful our children are part of a school community that takes care to know them so they can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
5 10/6/2023
My child is in Kindergarten at Norwood and is absolutely loving it. He looks forward to going to school each day and comes home with tons of stories to share on what he loved most that day. As a parent, I am consistently blown away by the school, teachers, and curriculum. Everyone at Norwood truly cares about my son (and every child there). Their motto is "You will be known" and they truly live and breathe by that. As an example, my son's teachers emailed my husband and I today to just let us know how he is doing and how proud they are of certain skills he has shown. I didn't ask for an email. I didn't even reach out to check-in. But, they checked in with us just on a random day. It made my day and also blew me away that they take the time to write personal emails to parents even when there is not much to report. And, it was clear from the email that they truly have taken the time to learn about my child's interests. We did have many choices when choosing a private school, which was overwhelming at the time. I am beyond confident that we made the right decision by choosing Norwood. I feel a sense of community every time I am there. There is no better feeling than knowing your child is in a kind and nurturing environment, while still being challenged academically based on the level he is at.
5 7/21/2018
My daughter attended Norwood from K-8 and had a superb experience. At each grade, Norwood offers developmentally appropriate and wonderfully diverse opportunities for the kids to stretch themselves as leaders, public speakers, artists, athletes, performers, community members, scientists, writers, and citizens of the world. My daughter left Norwood with a strong moral compass and was able to thrive at a top academic high school.
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