Maryland is the #25 largest school system in the United States, serving 890,044 students across the 1,411 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 143,520 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 68%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
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
1,411 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
890,044 Students
49,494,894 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
61,601 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
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
44%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.70
# American Indian Students
2,388 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
60,198 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
7%
6%
# Hispanic Students
202,643 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
23%
30%
# Black Students
288,618 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
33%
15%
# White Students
286,908 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
32%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,211 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
47,487 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MD)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$17,412 MM
Spending (23-24)
$16,456 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$19,563
Spending / Student (23-24)
$18,489
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?
1,411 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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