It’s Here – Our 2025-2026 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools is Out

Our tenth annual Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools is out! Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing stories you’ll find in the guide about the students, teachers, administrators, and programs that make up the independent school community. Check out the digital version above, and read our Letter from the Editor, below, to learn more about this year’s guide.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DEAR READERS,

Welcome to the 10th edition of the Baltimore Fishbowl Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools. Each year, we celebrate our local independent schools, and the important work that they do educating and supporting their students—our children.

For the 2025-2026 school year, we decided to shift our focus away from academics and devote the entire issue to topics that promote student wellness. We spoke with educators, counselors and administrators who told us about the resources, lessons and strategies they use to give young people the tools they need to lead healthful, balanced lives.

We focused one article on physical activity, both in organized sports and in less-structured time outdoors. The benefits extend beyond strength and fitness. Being on a team teaches collaboration, leadership and how to be gracious when winning or losing; time outdoors promotes creativity and emotional health. It’s no wonder so many schools bring lessons outside.

Another one of our articles zeroes in on nutrition. Food can be a fraught subject, shaped by factors including culture and body image. We talk to educators and counselors who address body image concerns, teach that good nutrition builds strong and healthy bodies, and celebrate a diversity of cuisines.

Finally, we have an article highlighting the crucial role that our local schools play in teaching students how to recognize mental health concerns—including anxiety and depression in themselves and their peers—and to seek help when needed. Lessons and discussions focus on how to navigate relationships and conflicts, how to manage stress, and how to protect against the perils of social media.

Teaching and modeling these health focused behaviors won’t necessarily help students get good grades or stellar test scores, but they are a critically important component of a well-rounded education that prepares students to live their best lives as adults.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition and learning about the incredible educators, counselors and administrators who make student health a top priority.

Karen Nitkin