The 110-acre, tree-lined campus of Garrison Forest School gives students the space to explore, build, create and think. There are endless learning opportunities outside of the classroom! Younger students have access to several different playgrounds, and the innovative outdoor classroom offers students space to exercise—to climb and jump and also to imagine and pretend. The outdoor classroom features nature-based play structures, dirt and sand to dig and create, a garden and musical instruments.
The rolling campus includes state-of-the-art athletic fields, comprised of a lighted turf field; an impressive equestrian complex that features riding and polo arenas, an outdoor riding ring and barns to house the many campus horses; bee hives that are maintained by the cam pus Bee Club—including honey that is extracted for community enjoyment; pollinator gardens; a dye garden used by art classes; and ample spaces to walk and explore.
The academic buildings are designed to be modern, comfortable spaces to learn and collaborate. Each division— Preschool, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School—has a separate building to ensure each student’s needs are met as they move through their time at GFS. The arts building encourages creative, personal expression and houses several art rooms, concert and performance spaces and practice rooms.
The Garland Theater hosts many performances throughout the year, including divisional programs, a Middle School play, two Upper School productions, dance performances and more. The GFS campus center includes the Searle Athletic Center and Alumnae Hall, home to the dining hall. Within the Searle Athletic Center, students can run the raised track or use the work out room; it is also home to the dance studio and provides space for athletes to train and compete. Featuring natural lighting, the two-story library offers quiet meeting and study spaces and cozy nooks for reading.
The boarding program at GFS, offered for grades 8-12, has four student dorms and 24 faculty residences, creating a home-like atmosphere for students joining from across the country and around the world.
Whether learning and exploring outdoors or finding your academic spark within one of the buildings, the GFS campus becomes an integral part of your overall educational journey.
This article is part of our 2025-2026 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.
