Maryland is the #25 largest school system in the United States, serving 892,215 students across the 1,410 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 824 private schools, serving 142,711 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)
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
100,525 Schools
# Students
892,215 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
61,919 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MD)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
43%
Graduation Rate
86%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
46%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.71
# American Indian Students
2,334 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
60,697 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
7%
6%
# Hispanic Students
210,995 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
24%
30%
# Black Students
287,876 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
32%
15%
# White Students
279,959 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
31%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,165 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
48,623 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MD)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$17,412 MM
Spending (24-25)
$16,456 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$19,516
Spending / Student (24-25)
$18,444
Best Maryland Public Schools by County (2026)
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: Southern Garrett High School vs. Northern Garrett High School, Washington Academy And High School vs. Crisfield Academy And High School, Old Mill Middle South vs. Old Mill Middle North
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