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Very Good

#435 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 32% in state

Baltimore Design School

High School · Baltimore City Public Schools

1500 Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Enrollment

504

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#435 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#31 of 267

public schools

In district

#19 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Baltimore Design School

7.3/10

High School in Baltimore · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School

4.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Frances Academy

4.3/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Baltimore Design School

Baltimore Design School is a public high school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Baltimore Design School serves approximately 504 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Baltimore Design School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #435 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Baltimore Design School show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.3
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Baltimore Design School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.8% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.3% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-20.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation19.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism49.2%

Baltimore Design School — Students at Baltimore Design School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.2% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 33.1% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 24 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2011
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
4%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
9%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
24%
2025
Math
9.8%
ELA
47.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Baltimore Design School Compares

See how Baltimore Design School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in MD
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3.1
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
19.2% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1500 Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Baltimore Design School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Baltimore School for the Arts (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Eager Street Academy (rated 5.3/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (rated 5.3/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore 0.1 mi 4.5
ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.3
Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 3.0
Johnston Square Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 3.2
Eager Street Academy Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.3
Cecil Elementary Baltimore 0.5 mi 2.4
MOTHER SETON ACADEMY Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.3
THE LOYOLA SCHOOL Baltimore 0.6 mi
BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL Baltimore 0.6 mi 8.8
Baltimore School for the Arts Baltimore 0.7 mi 8.0
Midtown Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.7
Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 2.4
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.9 mi 6.0
Mount Royal Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.7 mi 7.4
Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.3
ST JOHN SCHOOL Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.4
Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.7
Joseph C. Briscoe Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi
Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.6
National Academy Foundation Baltimore 1.0 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,578

Median Home Value

$307,700

Median Rent

$1,497/mo

Population

21,506

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

20.8%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

24%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Kensington, MD 7.3
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 7.2
Kent County High Worton, MD 7.5
Northern Garrett High School Accident, MD 7.5
Bard High School Early College Baltimore, MD 7.6
CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac, MD 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Baltimore Design School

What grades does Baltimore Design School serve?

Baltimore Design School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Baltimore Design School?

Baltimore Design School has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Baltimore Design School?

The student-teacher ratio at Baltimore Design School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Baltimore Design School rank in MD?

Baltimore Design School ranks #435 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Baltimore Design School's MySchoolScout rating?

Baltimore Design School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Baltimore Design School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Baltimore Design School has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

Is Baltimore Design School a charter school?

No, Baltimore Design School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Baltimore Design School a Title I school?

No, Baltimore Design School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Baltimore Design School?

75.2% of students at Baltimore Design School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
92 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.2%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

How we rate schools

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