Maryland is the #25 largest school system in the United States, serving 890,455 students across the 1,413 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 863 private schools, serving 144,088 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 25%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Maryland are Thomas S. Wootton High School, Walt Whitman High School, and Eastern Technical High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 68%, with the majority being Black and the student:teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top Ranked Public Schools in Maryland (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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: #1 - 21. - 2.
Walt Whitman High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (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: #33.
Eastern Technical High School
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 77% (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 - 54. - 5.
Ocean City Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (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: #4 - 54. - 5.
River Hill High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (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: #6 - 76. - 7.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 78% (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: #6 - 76. - 7.
Winston Churchill High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (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: #88.
Westbrook Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
5110 Allan Ter
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1040
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1040
Rank: #99.
Seven Locks Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75% (Top 5%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
9500 Seven Locks Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0940
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0940
Rank: #1010.
Benfield Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (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
Overview
This State (MD)
# Schools
1,413 Schools
# Students
890,455 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
61,620 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MD)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
Graduation Rate
86%
Eligible for Free Lunch
44%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
# American Indian Students
2,391 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
60,213 Students
% Asian Students
7%
# Hispanic Students
202,727 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
# Black Students
288,848 Students
% Black Students
33%
# White Students
286,955 Students
% White Students
32%
# Hawaiian Students
1,211 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
47,519 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MD)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$17,412 MM
Spending (22-23)
$16,456 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$19,554
Spending / Student (22-23)
$18,481
Best Maryland Public Schools by County (2025)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Maryland?
The top-ranked public schools in Maryland include Thomas S. Wootton High School, Walt Whitman High School, and Eastern Technical High School.
How many public schools are located in Maryland?
1,413 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 68%, 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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