Best Schools in Pasadena, Maryland
14 schools · 10 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Pasadena?
Use this page to compare every school in Pasadena 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.
Chesapeake Bay Middle
Middle · Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Fort Smallwood Elementary
Elementary · Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
High Point Elementary
Elementary · Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pasadena for 2026 are Chesapeake Bay Middle (7.5/10), Fort Smallwood Elementary (6.7/10), and High Point Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
14
12 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$412,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
14
12 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$412,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 7.5/10 despite 23% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 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 Pasadena schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Pasadena
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 12 rated schools; 14 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesapeake Bay Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Fort Smallwood Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | High Point Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Bodkin Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Sunset Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Northeast Middle | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Lake Shore Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Jacobsville Elementary | 5.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Pasadena Elementary | 5.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Chesapeake High | 4.9 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $121,732
- Median home value
- $412,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 86%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pasadena compares
Maryland rank
#114 of 141
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below Maryland avg (6.3)
Median household income
$122k
110% of Maryland median
Schools in this city
14
Anne Arundel County Public Schools runs Pasadena's public schools
12 public schools. Anne Arundel County Public Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Pasadena is a Anne Arundel County Public Schools school (12 of 12).
Among 12 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.6 to 7.5 — the spread is inside Pasadena, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Pasadena, Maryland
Pasadena, Maryland is home to 14 schools, including 12 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Pasadena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Pasadena is Divine Mercy Academy with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pasadena is served by 1 school district: Anne Arundel County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 84,346 students.
Pasadena's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $121,732. The poverty rate in the area is 5.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 404 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 684 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 499 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 440 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 5 | 300 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 6 | 502 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 7 | 330 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 8 | 261 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Divine Mercy AcademyPrivate 142 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Divine Mercy AcademyPrivate 141 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,049 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 853 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,427 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 2 | 1,366 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 |
Schools in Pasadena
Pasadena, Maryland · 14 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$121,732
Median Home Value
$412,100
Median Rent
$2,077/mo
Population
61,589
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
86%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Community Profile
Pasadena has a median household income of $121,732. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $412,100, with a median rent of $2,077/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Maryland
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in Maryland
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 Pasadena, Maryland
How many schools are in Pasadena, Maryland?
Pasadena has 14 schools, including 12 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pasadena, Maryland?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pasadena is 5.8 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 Pasadena, Maryland?
The top-ranked school in Pasadena on MySchoolScout is Chesapeake Bay Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pasadena, Maryland?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pasadena on MySchoolScout is Fort Smallwood Elementary with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Pasadena, Maryland?
The top-ranked middle school in Pasadena on MySchoolScout is Chesapeake Bay Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Pasadena, Maryland?
The top-ranked high school in Pasadena on MySchoolScout is Chesapeake High with a composite score of 4.9/10.
How many school districts serve Pasadena, Maryland?
Pasadena is served by 1 school district: Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Pasadena, Maryland?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Pasadena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pasadena, Maryland?
The median household income in Pasadena is approximately $121,732 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pasadena, Maryland?
Yes, Pasadena has 2 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Divine Mercy Academy with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pasadena, Maryland?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pasadena is 13.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pasadena, 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.