The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a town or city which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 22%
100%
Avg. Statewide: 61%
Top-Ranked Cities With Best Public Schools in Maryland (2026)
City
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
100%
(4 out of 4)
(4 out of 4)
Rank: #22.
78%
(7 out of 9)
(7 out of 9)
Rank: #33.
76%
(13 out of 17)
(13 out of 17)
- Walt Whitman High School
Rank: #5 of 1,338 (Top 1%)
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%) - Bradley Hills Elementary School
Rank: #21 of 1,338 (Top 1%)
(Math: 83% | Reading: 85%) - Bannockburn Elementary School
Rank: #24 of 1,338 (Top 1%)
(Math: 79% | Reading: 85-89%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Bethesda, MD Schools
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
75%
(6 out of 8)
(6 out of 8)
- Benfield Elementary School
Rank: #19 of 1,338 (Top 1%)
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%) - Severna Park Elementary School
Rank: #92 of 1,338 (Top 5%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%) - Severna Park High School
Rank: #94 of 1,338 (Top 5%)
(Math: 76% | Reading: 76%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Severna Park, MD Schools
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
75%
(3 out of 4)
(3 out of 4)
- Chevy Chase Elementary School
Rank: #129 of 1,338 (Top 5%)
(Math: 72% | Reading: 74%) - Somerset Elementary School
Rank: #137 of 1,338 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 81%) - Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
Rank: #268 of 1,338 (Top 10%)
(Math: 61% | Reading: 69%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Chevy Chase, MD Schools
Rank: #6-76 - 7.
55%
(12 out of 22)
(12 out of 22)
Rank: #6-76 - 7.
55%
(6 out of 11)
(6 out of 11)
- Freedom District Elementary School
Rank: #81 of 1,338 (Top 5%)
(Math: 72% | Reading: 80%) - Carrolltowne Elementary School
Rank: #157 of 1,338 (Top 10%)
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%) - Piney Ridge Elementary School
Rank: #164 of 1,338 (Top 10%)
(Math: 65% | Reading: 75%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Sykesville, MD Schools
Rank: #88.
50%
(3 out of 6)
(3 out of 6)
Rank: #99.
29%
(8 out of 28)
(8 out of 28)
- Thomas S. Wootton High School
Rank: #10 of 1,338 (Top 1%)
(Math: 83% | Reading: 89%) - Fallsmead Elementary School
Rank: #146 of 1,338 (Top 10%)
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%) - Lakewood Elementary School
Rank: #168 of 1,338 (Top 10%)
(Math: 64% | Reading: 75%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Rockville, MD Schools
Rank: #1010.
22%
(4 out of 18)
(4 out of 18)
Recent Articles
Public School Transportation & Commute Planning Guide
Learn how public school transportation and commute planning can help families prepare for the coming school year safely and efficiently.
New Public School Safety Protocols 2025–26 Guide
Learn how new public school safety protocols for 2025–26 affect students, parents, and schools nationwide.
How Technology Transforms Education in 2025
Explore how technology shapes learning today, with updated data, policy context, trends, and real-world implications for students, educators, and families.