Hannah More School is a nonpublic day school for students, grades 4-12, with a primary disability of emotional disturbance, autism, learning disabilities, other health impairment or multiple disabilities. The school leases 21 acres on the grounds of Hannah More Academy Park, which is owned by Baltimore County.

 

Hannah More School opened in 1978 on the site of the former Hannah More Academy, an Episcopal boarding school for girls, which merged with St. Timothy’s School in the early 1970’s. Hannah More School began as a day and boarding school for emotionally disabled children and discontinued the boarding aspect in 1982. In 1978 Hannah More School’s enrollment was 35 students, in 1988 it was 80 and today the enrollment is 150 students.

 

In 2001 Hannah More School opened its first Type II School at Severn River Middle School in Anne Arundel County. In 2003 additional Type II Schools were opened at Severna Park High School and Chesapeake High School also in Anne Arundel County.  Type II Schools are located within public schools and serve students who are able, with support, to be integrated into general education classes for part of the school day.

 

The original Hannah More Academy, established in 1832, was named in honor of the Englishwoman, Hannah More, who died in 1833. Hannah More, a published author, started free schools in London for children of the poor. Ann Van Bibber Neilson founded Locust Grove Seminary for girls in 1828, which became the parent school to Hannah More Academy four years later. Mrs. Neilson provided the funds and direction in her will to establish the Academy.

 

Of the buildings once used for Hannah More Academy, Hannah More School still uses the former headmaster’s house and the cafeteria. A renovation in 1988 replaced the lower school. Two other major construction projects have taken place: 1997 to add the Decker Career Technology Education Program wing, an administration wing and a middle school wing; 2000 to add a full size gymnasium.

 

Hannah More School operates four nonpublic special education schools serving students in grades 4-12. 

 

The school’s main campus is located in Baltimore County, Maryland and serves students who have been identified as emotionally disabled or having an autism spectrum disorder and who live within commuting distance of the school. The enrollment is approximately 150 students. Hannah More offers an elementary school classroom (grades 4 & 5), middle school, a high school, and a career technology education program.

 

Hannah More also operates three Type II Schools located at Chesapeake High School, Severn River Middle School and Severna Park High School all located within Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  The schools at Severn River Middle School and Severna Park High School serve students with an autism spectrum disorder.  The School at Chesapeake High School serves students with an emotional disability.

 

Students are referred to Hannah More by their public school system, after it is determined that the public schools cannot provide the appropriate services to meet the child’s special education needs.

 

Students enrolled at our Reisterstown School typically require comprehensive special education and a variety of related services.  Students enrolled in one of our Anne Arundel County Schools typically require fewer related services and are generally able to be included (mainstreamed) in the host school’s special or regular education classes part of each day.

 

Enrolled students may stay as few as six months or through graduation.  The average stay is two and one half years.  Each student’s length of stay depends on many factors.  Students’ placements are reviewed annually.

 

About 10% of our students transfer back to their local public school each year. The average graduating class is 25 students. Most graduates either go on to vocational training programs offered through the Division of Occupational and Rehabilitative Services or directly enter the work force upon graduation. Each year several students continue their education at two or four year colleges.