Empowering students to achieve their fullest potential and live lives of purpose—this has been the core of Garrison Forest School since 1910.

What was an innovative educational mission for girls at the turn of the 20th century remains so in the 21st century. Garrison Forest was founded in 1910 as an all-girls’ day and boarding school with a coeducational primary program (now preschool).

Throughout our history, our mission has been to prepare young women for a rewarding college experience and for a purposeful life well beyond. Guided by our motto, Esse Quam Videri—To Be Rather Than To Seem—Garrison Forest’s curricular and co-curricular program balances exceedingly high standards within a welcoming, spirited atmosphere.

Here, students flourish intellectually and individually. Find their voice. Discover their passions. And embrace their potential. Check out the latest Garrison Forest news and our singular, experiential programs:

• Garrison Forest’s own Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, an innovative partnership with The Johns Hopkins University that puts talented students in Hopkins' research labs for semester-long mentorships.

• The nationally distinctive James Center offering experiential and service learning,  leadership training, financial literacy and STEM opportunities.

• The Elsie Foster Jenkins ’53 Community Service Fellows, competitive community service fellowships to fund in-depth, student-led summer projects at home and abroad.

• Our boarding program for Grades 8-12 students from across the region, country and world.

• Our Confucius Classroom, the first Confucius Classroom among Maryland's independent schools, offers a school-wide program in Chinese language, history and culture.