Maryland is known for having an excellent education system, with many highly-rated schools, particularly in the public high school sector. Several organizations compile rankings based on various metrics, including test scores, graduation rates, college readiness, and student-teacher ratio.
Here’s a summary of some of the top schools in Maryland, based on recent rankings from sources like U.S. News & World Report and Niche:
Top Public High Schools in Maryland:
Many of the top public high schools are concentrated in Montgomery County and Howard County, known for their strong school systems. Baltimore County also features prominently with its magnet schools.
According to U.S. News & World Report (2024 rankings), the top public high schools in Maryland include:
- Eastern Technical High School (Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore) – Also often ranked #1 for college readiness.
- Walt Whitman High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Bethesda)
- Poolesville High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Poolesville) – Known for its magnet programs.
- Thomas S. Wootton High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville)
- Winston Churchill High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Potomac)
- Richard Montgomery High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville) – Known for its rigorous IB program.
- Urbana High School (Frederick County Public Schools, Ijamsville)
- Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore)
- River Hill High School (Howard County Public Schools, Clarksville)
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Bethesda)
Other notable public high schools that frequently appear on “best of” lists include:
- Centennial High School (Howard County Public Schools, Ellicott City)
- Marriotts Ridge High School (Howard County Public Schools, Marriottsville)
- George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology (Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson) – A competitive magnet school for arts and technology.
- Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore)
- Walter Johnson High School (Montgomery County Public Schools, Bethesda)
- Severna Park High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Severna Park)
Top Private High Schools in Maryland:
Private schools are often ranked by Niche based on factors like academics, diversity, and student reviews. Here are some of the top-rated private high schools in Maryland:
- Holton-Arms School (Bethesda, MD) – All-girls school, consistently ranked very highly.
- The Bryn Mawr School (Baltimore, MD) – All-girls school.
- Gilman School (Baltimore, MD) – All-boys school.
- Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda, MD) – All-boys school, boarding option available.
- Rochambeau The French International School (Bethesda, MD)
- Landon School (Bethesda, MD) – All-boys school.
- Key School (Annapolis, MD)
- McDonogh School (Owings Mills, MD)
- Bullis School (Potomac, MD)
- Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bethesda, MD) – All-girls school.
Key Takeaways for School Quality in Maryland:
- Montgomery County and Howard County generally have the highest concentration of top-performing public schools.
- Magnet and specialty programs often lead the rankings, offering focused curricula in STEM, arts, or other fields.
- Private schools offer diverse educational philosophies and environments, with many strong options concentrated in the greater Baltimore and Washington D.C. suburban areas.
When evaluating schools, it’s always recommended to visit school websites, review detailed reports from ranking organizations, and if possible, speak with current students, parents, or faculty to get a full picture.