The Tome School owes its existence to the vision of Jacob Tome (1810-1898), merchant, banker, and philanthropist, who for most of his life was a resident of Port Deposit, Maryland, a small town in rural Cecil County. He devoted much of his considerable wealth to the creation of the school. It was his vision that Tome School would give the finest education to its students, and the school would be available to every child willing to undergo its regimen, no matter what his or her ability to pay the cost.

The school today faithfully reflects its founder's aims. The curriculum differs in important respects, and in rigor, from that of typical American elementary and secondary education. Tome is organized into three divisions: the Lower School, comprised of Kindergarten and the first four grades, the Middle School, grades five through eight, and the Upper School with grades nine through twelve. 

The curriculum is fully described in two words: Preparatory and Academic. The studies taken by a student at Tome presuppose that all students are preparing for college. The Lower School prepares for the Middle School, the Middle for the Upper, and the Upper School prepares the student for College. A major goal for Tome is verbal proficiency. The teaching of reading skills is started in Kindergarten and occupies the bulk of the school day in Lower School. English Composition and Grammar are concentrated on for the next eight years through the Middle and Upper Schools. Physical Education, Music, Art, Social Studies, Foreign Language (required for grades five through twelve), Math, Science, and other selected classes fill out the Middle and Upper School curriculum. 

The school expects high standards of personal behavior from its students, as well as a demonstrated interest in academic success and a desire to participate fully in the life of the school. 

Students of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions are admitted and have equal access to all programs and activities at Tome School, including financial aid. We feel that it is the overall personality of The Tome School that makes it a very special place for a child's education to evolve.