The brief
The top-rated high schools in Baltimore for 2026 are Western School of Technology (8.9/10), Eastern Technical High School (8.7/10), and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 50 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Baltimore's 50 ranked high schools span a meaningful range of performance, with an average composite score of 5.2/10 across the metro. Western High leads the list at 6.8/10, tied with Eager Street Academy and closely followed by Achievement Academy at Harbor City High and Eastern Technical High School. That cluster at the top reflects a competitive upper tier worth examining closely. Charter schools make up 10% of the ranked pool — five schools total — so the landscape skews heavily toward traditional public options. Scores, student-to-teacher ratios, and other key metrics vary considerably from school to school, which is why sorting the table below by the factors that matter most to your family will get you further than any single ranking. Use the columns to cut through the noise and zero in on the schools that fit your student's needs.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.9
- 28.7
- 38.6
- 48.5
- 58.0
- 67.4
- 77.2
- 87.1
- 96.9
- 106.5
All 50 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 50
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Western School of TechnologyBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 953student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Eastern Technical High SchoolBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 1,276student-teacher ratio 18.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 1,580student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 4Baltimore City CollegeBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 1,421student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Western HighBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 1,328student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 6The Seed School of MarylandSeed School of Marylandstudents 394student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 6th–12th
- 7Bard High School Early CollegeBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 482student-teacher ratio 15.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Baltimore Design SchoolBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 504student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades 6th–12th
- 9Baltimore School for the ArtsBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 431student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 10Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts AcademyBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 378student-teacher ratio 17.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Coppin AcademycharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 390student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Catonsville Center for Alternative StudiesBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 60student-teacher ratio 3.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Eager Street AcademyBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 59student-teacher ratio 6.6:1grades 7th–12th
- 14Paul Laurence Dunbar HighBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 1,101student-teacher ratio 22.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Achievement Academy at Harbor City HighBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 202student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 16Catonsville HighBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 1,733student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Pikesville HighBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 901student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Baltimore Leadership School for Young WomencharterBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 470student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 6th–12th
- 19Claremont SchoolBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 47student-teacher ratio 3.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 20Perry Hall HighBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 2,020student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual ArtsBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 296student-teacher ratio 14.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Rosedale CenterBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 58student-teacher ratio 1.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 23Reginald F. Lewis HighBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 444student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 24Woodlawn HighBaltimore County Public Schoolsstudents 1,896student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 25Renaissance AcademyBaltimore City Public Schoolsstudents 196student-teacher ratio 8.9:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Maryland education department. Rankings are relative to all public high 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
Western School of Technology
Baltimore County Public Schools
953 students · 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 3% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 9.1
- Environment
- 7.8
- 2
Eastern Technical High School
Baltimore County Public Schools
1,276 students · 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 5% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 5.4
- 3
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
Baltimore City Public Schools
1,580 students · 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 6% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 4.7
- 4
Baltimore City College
Baltimore City Public Schools
1,421 students · 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 7% in Maryland
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 4.0
- 5
Western High
Baltimore City Public Schools
1,328 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 14% in Maryland
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 6.1
- 6
The Seed School of Maryland
Seed School of Maryland
394 students · 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 28% in Maryland
- Academics
- 6.2
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 10.0
- 7
Bard High School Early College
Baltimore City Public Schools
482 students · 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 32% in Maryland
- Academics
- 8.2
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 4.1
- 8
Baltimore Design School
Baltimore City Public Schools
504 students · 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 34% in Maryland
- Academics
- 6.9
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 4.9
- 9
Baltimore School for the Arts
Baltimore City Public Schools
431 students · 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 38% in Maryland
- Academics
- 6.5
- Growth
- 3.6
- Environment
- 9.2
- 10
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy
Baltimore City Public Schools
378 students · 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 49% in Maryland
- Academics
- 6.6
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 7.3
Questions
What is the best high school in Baltimore, Maryland?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Western School of Technology is the top-rated high school in Baltimore with a composite score of 8.9/10. 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 high schools are in Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore has 67 high schools, including 5 charter schools. Of these, 61 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Baltimore?
Among 61 Baltimore high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Maryland).
How does MySchoolScout rate high 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 high school rankings?
Baltimore has 5 charter high 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 elementary schools in Baltimore2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Baltimore2026 rankings and ratings
- All 365 schools in BaltimoreElementary, middle and high
- Maryland schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings