Best Schools in Baltimore, Maryland
350 schools · 226 Elementary · 37 Middle · 65 High · 22 Other
Choosing a school in Baltimore?
Use this page to compare every school in Baltimore by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Fort Garrison Elementary
Elementary · Baltimore County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Rodgers Forge Elementary
Elementary · Baltimore County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Towson Elementary
Elementary · Baltimore County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated 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 real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
350
271 public · 79 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$279,003
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
350
271 public · 79 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$279,003
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 78% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Baltimore schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Baltimore
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 350). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Garrison Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Rodgers Forge Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 3 | West Towson Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Oliver Beach Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Western School of Technology | 8.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Eastern Technical High School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Baltimore Lab School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Hampstead Hill Academy | 8.6 / 10 |
| 9 | St Elizabeth School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Al-rahmah School | 8.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $75,583
- Median home value
- $279,003
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Baltimore compares
Maryland rank
#127 of 141
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Maryland avg (6.3)
Median household income
$76k
68% of Maryland median
Schools in this city
326
Education Snapshot
Baltimore, MarylandBaltimore's 350 schools span 4 districts and enroll roughly 169,239 students — a system whose level mix tilts heavily toward elementary: 226 elementary schools versus 65 high schools. On MySchoolScout, the city averages 5.2/10 across 326 scored schools, running 1.1 points below the Maryland state average of 6.3/10. That performance gap tracks closely with an income gap: Baltimore's median household income of $72,473 is 35% below the Maryland state median of $111,838. Thirty-one charter schools operate alongside traditional district assignments, offering families additional access points across the system. Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher account for 36% of the population. Parents should treat the 5.2 aggregate as a starting point — the distribution across 326 scored schools is wide, and the large elementary tier offers meaningful range for families mapping school options before they decide where to live.
About Schools in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore's public school system spans 267 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to search. The city-wide average sits at 6.1 out of 10 — a useful baseline when you start comparing options. Performance varies significantly across neighborhoods, so location alone should not drive your decision.
The strongest schools are concentrated at the top of a competitive tier. Seventy schools, or 26% of the total, score 7 or above, meaning roughly one in four ranked schools clears that threshold. Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle leads the city with a 9.3 rating, followed closely by Clay Hill Public Charter School at 9.2 and Harford Heights Elementary at 9.1. Moravia Park Elementary and Oliver Beach Elementary both score 9.0, rounding out a cluster of high performers worth putting on any shortlist. The strength of that top group is notable: five schools bunched between 9.0 and 9.3 signals real consistency at the upper end, not just a single outlier pulling the numbers.
Charter schools compete directly in Baltimore's landscape. Clay Hill Public Charter School's 9.2 rating places it second citywide and demonstrates that charter options can match or exceed traditional public schools in measured performance. Parents willing to consider charters open up more high-scoring choices within the same search.
Practically speaking, Baltimore rewards active research. With 267 schools and a citywide average of 6.1, the gap between a median school and a top-rated one is significant — nearly three full points separates the average from Armistead Gardens. That spread means where you land on the list matters. Start by filtering for schools scoring 7 or above to work within the top quarter of the city, then layer in factors like commute, program focus, and enrollment options. Waitlists at high-rated schools are common, so start early and keep backup options in the 7–8 range on your list. The data is there — use it.
Elementary Schools
226 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 286 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 382 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 |
| 3 | 407 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 4 | 149 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 890 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.6 |
| 6 | 410 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 7 | 455 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 8 | 293 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 9 | 686 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 10 | 313 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 |
Show all 226 elementary schools in Baltimore
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
37 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 204 students · 5th–8th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 744 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 3 | 553 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 279 students · 4th–8th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 1,071 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
| 6 | 1,694 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 7 | 163 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 177 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
| 9 | 563 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 10 | 728 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
Show all 37 middle schools in Baltimore
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
65 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 953 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 1,276 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 1,580 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 4 | 431 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 5 | 1,421 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 482 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 7 | 504 students · 6th–12th | 7.3 |
| 8 | 1,328 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 9 | 444 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 10 | 1,733 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Show all 65 high schools in Baltimore
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
22 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 students · Pre-K–12th | 2.5 | ||
| 2 | 120 students · Pre-K–12th | 2.5 | ||
| 3 | 154 students · Pre-K–12th | 2.4 | ||
| 4 | 95 students · Pre-K–12th | 1.8 | ||
| Private Schools 18 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Baltimore Lab School
Private
116 students · 1st–12th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | St Elizabeth School
Private
134 students · 3rd–12th | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 220 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 4 | Gilman School
Private
1,022 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.7 | ||
| 5 | Chimes School the
Private
61 students · 3rd–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 6 | The Bryn Mawr School
Private
694 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.4 | ||
Show all 22 other schools in Baltimore
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland · 350 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 36 ZIP codes
Median Income
$75,583
Median Home Value
$279,003
Median Rent
$1,421/mo
Population
1,183,850
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Community Profile
Baltimore has a median household income of $75,583. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,003, with a median rent of $1,421/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Maryland
- Elementary
- 226
- Middle
- 37
- High
- 65
- Other
- 22
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Maryland
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Baltimore, Maryland
How many schools are in Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore has 350 schools, including 271 public and 79 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Baltimore, Maryland?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Baltimore is 5.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Baltimore, Maryland?
The top-ranked school in Baltimore on MySchoolScout is Fort Garrison Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland?
The top-ranked elementary school in Baltimore on MySchoolScout is Fort Garrison Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Baltimore, Maryland?
The top-ranked middle school in Baltimore on MySchoolScout is Lillie May Carroll Jackson School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in Baltimore, Maryland?
The top-ranked high school in Baltimore on MySchoolScout is Western School of Technology with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve Baltimore, Maryland?
Baltimore is served by 4 school districts: Seed School of Maryland, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Baltimore, Maryland?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Baltimore have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Baltimore, Maryland?
The median household income in Baltimore is approximately $75,583 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Baltimore, Maryland?
Yes, Baltimore has 79 private schools alongside 271 public schools. The top-rated private school is Baltimore Lab School with a score of 8.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Baltimore, Maryland?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Baltimore is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Baltimore, Maryland?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Maryland Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.