Kent School Profile
Kent School was founded in 1967 and welcomed its first students in 1968. The riverside campus in historic Chestertown, provides an unparalleled environment for learning. Kent School is a regional, independent day school serving students from Pre‐Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Nancy Mugele
Head of School
Tricia Cammerzell
Assistant Head of School for Advancement
Jenny Cernak
Assistant Head of School for Academics
Mission
Kent School prepares students for active citizenship through joyful and rigorous academics, arts, and athletics in an inclusive community that fosters moral excellence.
Community and Culture
Kent School draws strength from the dimensions of difference among our students, employees, Alumni, Trustees, families, and the world beyond our campus. Our School culture, built on trust, is one in which all individuals are seen, known, and valued. This culture depends on our ability to constantly learn, grow and improve as a community. We actively cultivate inclusivity, empowering individuals to thrive, contribute, and be respected for their unique abilities, perspectives, and cultural experiences.
School Philosophy
Kent School is committed to balancing academic growth with social and emotional well-being. We focus on applying research-based strategies to inform teaching and learning, embracing our environment, and building community. Educators use best practices in mind, brain and education (MBE) science. Their continuing education paired with invaluable classroom experience affords our educators the agility to guide students through an experiential academic journey. We encourage our students’ growth and achievement while meeting their unique needs, thus providing each individual with academic and social confidence that promotes success and fosters the development of honorable, responsible citizens. Kent School’s riverside campus and outdoor learning environment are unparalleled. Our location on the Chester River makes possible our signature Chesapeake Bay Studies program, which fosters hands-on environmental science and stewardship of the natural world. We strive for trust-based relationships among teachers, students, and families that build character, contribute to a student-centered culture, create active, independent learners, and nurture a sense of belonging so that even the youngest students can feel at home and focused on learning. This clear understanding of who we are – an inclusive school community designed for effective teaching and learning, driven by research and immersed in the natural environment - means we can remain committed to what is most important for students.
2025 - 2026
Enrollment
Little School (Ages 3 & 4) 18
Lower School (Gr. K - 4) 66
Middle School (Gr. 5 - 8) 57
Faculty
Total - 22
Little School - 3
Lower School - 8
Middle School - 7
Specialists - 4
Academic Support
Dean of Students
School Counselor
Lower Learning Strategist
Middle School Academic Coach
Director of Technology
Research-Informed Teaching
A highlight of our professional development program includes our partnership with the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. The CTTL has trained 100% of our staff to apply Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) science strategies to the Pre-K - Grade 8 curriculum. The CTTL programs maximize teacher effectiveness to implement instructional practices designed to help students achieve their highest academic potential. We are the only Pre-K to Grade 8 school in Maryland doing this work.
Little School
Kent School’s Little School, established as a licensed Early Childhood Education Center, is designed to serve the comprehensive needs of three and four year old children. A child’s joyful educational journey begins in Little School where our students learn through play in a bright, engaging environment with nurturing, supportive teachers
Lower School
Kent School’s Lower School is comprised of the elementary grades Kindergarten through Grade 4. Our academic goals are thoughtfully balanced with the developmental, emotional, and social needs of students. We have high personal and academic standards that allow children to reach their full promise by developing the skills and habits of mind that will last a lifetime. Process and effort are valued as children learn to take pride in their work and become curious, persistent, resilient, independent, and respectful members of the classroom community.
Middle School
The Middle School is comprised of Grades 5 through 8. The Middle School program is designed to promote academic and personal growth in our students. We expect students to be responsible learners and help them develop an awareness of self and others. With appropriate challenges and the support of a caring faculty, our students develop a genuine sense of self esteem. Critical thinking, research, and organizational skills are taught across disciplines; an integrated language arts and history program is offered and small group teaching, collaborative and cooperative learning, and peer review are stressed. Our students graduate from Grade 8 prepared for the opportunities and challenges associated with a variety of secondary school selections including rigorous independent day and boarding schools, parochial schools and area public schools.
What Does it Mean to Be a Kent School Graduate?
A Kent School graduate embraces a growth mindset and appreciates the successes and challenges that accompany learning. Our graduates possess a sense of self that launches them confidently into a life of learning, They are willing to take intellectual and creative risks, They enjoy collaboration. Kent School graduates value integrity, respect, responsibility and friendship
Recent Secondary Acceptances and Matriculations
- Archbishop Splading
- Avon Old Farm School
- Caravel Academy
- Episcopal High School
- The Gunston School
- The Hill School
- The Key School
- Lawrenceville School
- McDonogh School
- Mercersburg Academy
- Queen Anne's County High School
- Sanford School
- Severn School
- STEM Academy at Kent County High School
- St. Andrew's School
- St. James School
- Sts. Peter and Paul High School
- Woodberry Forest School
- Wyoming Seminary School
Curricular Highlights
Spanish
The Lower School Spanish curriculum is designed to prepare students for success in our Middle School Spanish language program. All students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 take Spanish. Students graduating from Kent School often place into Spanish II when they enter high school.
Chesapeake Bay Studies
Lower School and Middle School Science curricula features Chesapeake Bay Studies. Our Science program partners with local organizations (e.g. Department of Natural Resources, the National Aquarium, Kent County Soil Conservation, Washington College, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Sultana Education) to provide opportunities for project- based learning. Students use the scientific process to inspire environmental stewardship.
Humanities
Middle School students engage in reading and writing through the lens of history to better understand the human experience, leading them to be honorable, responsible citizens. One of the many goals of the Humanities curriculum is to create independent thinkers who have a true love of reading and writing.
Language Arts
Lower School Language Arts students start with learning to read and develop into reading to learn. The Lower School reading starts with the Collaborative Classroom, Being a Reader curriculum. This is a reimagined comprehensive researchbased early reading curriculum that incorporates embedded social-emotional learning (SEL) into systematic, sequential foundational skills instruction and rigorous comprehension work. Age-appropriate grammatical skills are woven into the reading and writing program and students progress through the lower school.
Visual and Performing Arts
Students’ art curricula is based in the 5 C’s: creativity, courage, collection, collaboration, and culture awareness. Students demonstrate these 5 c’s through ageappropriate mediums, techniques, and an exploration of artists that help develop their artistic abilities. The music program at Kent School is designed to develop an appreciation and basic understanding of all types of music. Students learn music through the development of listening, analyzing, evaluating, and composing skills.
Mathematics (K-8)
Our math instruction is designed to ensure students engage with the learning process and receive direct instruction from their teachers. IReady complements our traditional teaching methods. This dual approach fosters a balanced learning environment where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the essential principles of effective teaching.
By utilizing I-Ready, educators can gain data-driven insights to identify each student's strengths and areas for growth, allowing for personalized learning paths. Teachers limit screen interaction but leverage the program to facilitate meaningful discussions and collaborative activities, making the learning experience more dynamic and effective. By incorporating this innovative tool, educators can provide a comprehensive educational experience that nurtures student engagement, supports differentiated instruction, and ultimately leads to improved learning outcomes without sacrificing the core values of teaching.
Grading Middle School
Middle School uses a numerical grading system. Scores of 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59 or below = F. Gold Honors are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance throughout the entire academic year achieving an overall grade percentage average of 95% or above. Students who achieve an overall grade percentage average of 88% to 94% will be recognized with Silver Honors In Spanish, Art, Music, and P.E., students will receive O - Outstanding, VG - Very Good, G - Good, or I - Incomplete.
Extracurricular Opportunities
Athletics Students in Grades 5-8 may participate in the interscholastic sports program in field hockey, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Designed to foster a competitive yet age-appropriate atmosphere, the program promotes physical fitness, good sportsmanship, skill development and personal responsibility.
Student Leadership (SGA)
Students in Grades 5 - 8 have the opportunity to serve as an SGA representative. SGA is designed to give students the opportunity to express the voices, concerns, and ideas of the student body. Each year, SGA. representatives engage in several service activities for the school. The executive council of SGA consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Campaigning and elections take place for each position in the spring for the following year.