Gerstell Academy was founded in 1996 by President Dr. Frederick G. Smith as an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian college preparatory school for students entering Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The leadership-based program develops moral values, social skills, manners, and critical thinking in tomorrow's citizens, while promoting rigorous academics.

The school began with a class of seven students in 2002 and has since expanded to over 415 day-students on 250 beautiful rolling acres in Carroll County, Maryland.

Today, Gerstell Academy stands as the first leadership school established in Maryland. Gerstell Academy is devoted to the development of leadership skills with an emphasis on physical fitness and to the mastery of fundamental knowledge in a traditional college preparatory curriculum. Our students attend top colleges and universities and return to campus as successful, well-adjusted young men and women with an attitude of "fitness for life" and a feeling of preparedness. Gerstell offers students an educational program of excellence in a community focused on the school's Mission, Motto and Leadership Principles and Attributes. The four pillars of a Gerstell education include: Leadership, College Preparatory Academics, Physical Training, and Modern Language Proficiency.

We encourage you to browse our website to explore all that Gerstell has to offer. We invite you to discover our unique approach to education and hope to see you as a part of the Gerstell community.