Average
#940 of 1,363 schools in MD
Baltimore Design School
High School · Baltimore City Public Schools
1500 Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#166 of 267
public schools
Maryland high schools
#72 of 226
In district
#99 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
About Baltimore Design School
Baltimore Design School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. The school serves students from sixth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 504 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. Teachers are dedicated professionals who work hard to support their students' learning needs.
The academic performance at Baltimore Design School is currently in the middle range, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating and state ranking. With a state ranking of #711 out of 1364 schools in Maryland (placing it around the 48th percentile), there is room for improvement. In terms of subject proficiency, only 28% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 7% meet the standard in Math.
Despite these challenges, Baltimore Design School continues to focus on student development and growth. The school's setting within a bustling urban environment provides unique opportunities for learning and engagement with the community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Baltimore Design School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Baltimore Design School — Students at Baltimore Design School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.9/10.
How Baltimore Design School Compares
See how Baltimore Design School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 11% (2019) to 15.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 22.2% (2025).
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. Eager Street Academy (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baltimore School for the Arts (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (rated 4.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.1 |
| ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Johnston Square Elementary Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Eager Street Academy Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Cecil Elementary Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Midtown Academy Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Mount Royal Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Joseph C. Briscoe Academy Baltimore | 1.0 mi | — |
| Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| National Academy Foundation Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Baltimore Design School has a median household income of $61,578. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,700, with a median rent of $1,497/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST MARY S RYKEN HIGH SCHOOL Leonardtown, MD | 5.6 |
| Kent County High Worton, MD | 5.5 |
| ST VINCENT PALLOTTI HIGH SCHOOL Laurel, MD | 5.5 |
| Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC Largo, MD | 5.7 |
| Bohemia Manor High Chesapeake City, MD | 5.7 |
| Colonel Richardson High School Federalsburg, MD | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #940 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Baltimore Design School's MySchoolScout rating?
Baltimore Design School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Baltimore Design School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Baltimore Design School has 8.1% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (443) 642-2311
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 75,811
- Schools in District
- 151
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,977
- District Rank
- #99 of 149
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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