Maryland is the #25 largest school system in the United States, serving 891,905 students across the 1,420 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 880 private schools, serving 144,999 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.
Student by Ethnicity
(MD) School Average
Asian
7%
Hispanic
23%
Black
33%
White
32%
Two or more races
5%
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
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?
1,420 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, Old Mill Middle South vs. Old Mill Middle North
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