The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Baltimore for 2026 are Fort Garrison Elementary (9.5/10), Rodgers Forge Elementary (9.2/10), and West Towson Elementary (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 210 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Baltimore's elementary landscape spans 183 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. Scores run the full spectrum, with an average composite of 6.5/10 — but 67 schools clear the 7/10 mark, meaning strong options are distributed across the city rather than concentrated in a single pocket. Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle leads the rankings at 9.3/10, followed closely by Clay Hill Public Charter School (9.2/10) and Harford Heights Elementary (9.1/10). The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics to find the schools that fit your priorities. Whether you're weighing proximity, academics, or school type, the data gives you a direct comparison across all 183 schools. Use the filters to narrow the list and dig into individual school profiles for a closer look.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.5
- 29.2
- 39.2
- 48.9
- 58.6
- 68.6
- 78.4
- 88.4
- 98.4
- 108.3
All 210 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 210
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Fort Garrison ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 286student-teacher ratio 13.6:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 2Rodgers Forge ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 382student-teacher ratio 17.4:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 3West Towson ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 407student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 4Oliver Beach ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 149student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 5Hampstead Hill AcademycharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 890student-teacher ratio 19.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 6Al-Rahmah Schoolstudents 187student-teacher ratio 6.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 7Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional MagnetBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 410student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 8Woodbridge ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 455student-teacher ratio 16.2:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 9Waldorf School of Baltimorestudents 114student-teacher ratio 4.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 10Clay Hill Public Charter SchoolcharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 293student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 11Westchester ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 686student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 12Federal Hill Preparatory AcademyBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 313student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 13Hillcrest ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 675student-teacher ratio 18.2:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 14Stoneleigh ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 641student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 15Thomas Johnson Elementary/middleBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 517student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 16Francis Scott Key Elementary/middleBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 674student-teacher ratio 17.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 17City Neighbors HamiltoncharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 235student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 18Glenmount Elementary/middleBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 621student-teacher ratio 13.8:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 19Perry Hall ElementaryBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 432student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 20The Green School of BaltimorecharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 163student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 21Tunbridge Public Charter SchoolcharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 493student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 22Gateway Schoolstudents 50student-teacher ratio 4.0:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 23Rock Church Academystudents 67student-teacher ratio 5.4:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 24Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/middleBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 756student-teacher ratio 11.6:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 25Hampden Elementary/middleBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 496student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Maryland education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Maryland. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Fort Garrison Elementary
Baltimore County Public Schools
286 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.4
- 2
Rodgers Forge Elementary
Baltimore County Public Schools
382 students · 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 3% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 6.8
- 3
West Towson Elementary
Baltimore County Public Schools
407 students · 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 4% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 7.7
- 4
Oliver Beach Elementary
Baltimore County Public Schools
149 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 7% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 8.3
- Environment
- 9.0
- 5
Hampstead Hill Academy
Baltimore City Public Schools
890 students · 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 11% in Maryland · charter
- Academics
- 9.2
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 5.9
- 6
Al-Rahmah School
187 students · 6.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 3% in Maryland
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 7
Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet
Baltimore County Public Schools
410 students · 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 13% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 8.0
- Environment
- 7.6
- 8
Woodbridge Elementary
Baltimore County Public Schools
455 students · 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 14% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 8.0
- Environment
- 8.1
- 9
Waldorf School of Baltimore
114 students · 4.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 4% in Maryland
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 10
Clay Hill Public Charter School
Baltimore City Public Schools
293 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 15% in Maryland · charter
- Academics
- 4.8
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.2
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Fort Garrison Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in Baltimore with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore has 226 elementary schools, including 23 charter schools. Of these, 213 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Baltimore?
Among 213 Baltimore elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 5.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Maryland).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Maryland, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Maryland, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Baltimore elementary school rankings?
Baltimore has 23 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Baltimore2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Baltimore2026 rankings and ratings
- All 350 schools in BaltimoreElementary, middle and high
- Maryland schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings