Maryland is the #25 largest school system in the United States, serving 892,215 students across the 1,410 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 849 private schools, serving 143,597 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Maryland attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Maryland is 27%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Maryland are Walt Whitman High School, Ocean City Elementary School, and Thomas S. Wootton High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 69%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Maryland (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Walt Whitman High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
7100 Whittier Blvd
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-4800
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-4800
Rank: #22.
Ocean City Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-4
12828 Center Dr
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 632-5370
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 632-5370
Rank: #33.
Thomas S. Wootton High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2100 Wootton Pkwy
Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 740-1500
Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 740-1500
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Eastern Technical High School
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1100 Mace Ave
Essex, MD 21221
(443) 809-0190
Essex, MD 21221
(443) 809-0190
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
River Hill High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
12101 Clarksville Pike
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7120
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7120
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Winston Churchill High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
11300 Gainsborough Rd
Potomac, MD 20854
(240) 740-5400
Potomac, MD 20854
(240) 740-5400
Rank: #77.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
200 Rickswood Rd
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 887-7663
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 887-7663
Rank: #88.
Benfield Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
365 Lynwood Dr
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 222-6555
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 222-6555
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Bradley Hills Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
8701 Hartsdale Ave
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 204-5210
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 204-5210
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Glenarden Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 5%)
Grades: 2-5
7801 Glenarden Pkwy
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 925-1300
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 925-1300
Overview
This State (MD)
US
# Schools
1,410 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
892,215 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
# Teachers
61,919 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MD)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
41%
Showing 2012–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
47%
Showing 2012–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
43%
Graduation Rate
85.8%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
46%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 36-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# American Indian Students
2,334 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
60,697 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
7%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
210,995 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
24%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# Black Students
287,876 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
32%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# White Students
279,959 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
31%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
1,165 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
48,623 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MD)
Statewide Total Revenue
$19,842 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$19,186 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$22,239
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$21,504
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Maryland Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Maryland?
The top-ranked public schools in Maryland include Walt Whitman High School, Ocean City Elementary School, and Thomas S. Wootton High School.
How many public schools are located in Maryland?
1,410 public schools are located in Maryland.
What percentage of students in Maryland go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Maryland attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Maryland?
Minority enrollment in Maryland is 69%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Maryland are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Maryland include: Monocacy Elementary School vs. Poolesville Elementary School, Southern Garrett High School vs. Northern Garrett High School, Washington Academy And High School vs. Crisfield Academy And High School
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