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#952 of 1,363 schools in MD

Bel Air High

High School · Harford County Public Schools

100 Heighe St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Enrollment

1,419

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bel Air

#11 of 16

public schools

Maryland high schools

#75 of 226

In district

#42 of 55

Harford County Public Schools

About Bel Air High

Bel Air High serves 1,419 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Harford County, Maryland. With 88 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, providing students with reasonable access to individualized attention. Academically, Bel Air High earns a solid 6.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #315 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide.

The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, where 69% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 39% of students achieving proficiency, indicating focused support could help more students reach their potential in this subject area. The school serves the well-established Bel Air community, where families enjoy a median household income of $109,366 and median home values of $383,000.

With 43% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 8.1%, the 21014 ZIP code reflects a stable, education-minded community of 37,097 residents. Located on Heighe Street, Bel Air High sits in the mid-size suburban setting that gives the historic town of Bel Air its distinctive character as Harford County's seat.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.4%
Math vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.3 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,192

Bel Air High — Students at Bel Air High score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.0%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 72.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
64%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
20%
ELA
74.4%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Bel Air High Compares

See how Bel Air High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
30th percentile in MD
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
88 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
38.3% participation·1 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

100 Heighe St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bel Air High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Patterson Mill High School (rated 5.4/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is C. Milton Wright High (rated 5.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bel Air, see our Bel Air schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Bel Air Middle Bel Air 0.3 mi 6.2
Bel Air Elementary Bel Air 0.6 mi 7.0
Homestead/Wakefield Elementary Bel Air 0.6 mi 8.1
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Bel Air 0.7 mi 3.8
JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL Bel Air 1.0 mi 5.1
HARFORD DAY SCHOOL Bel Air 1.2 mi 7.1
Southampton Middle Bel Air 1.3 mi 6.9
Ring Factory Elementary Bel Air 1.5 mi 7.7
EMMORTON BAPTIST ACADEMY Bel Air 2.1 mi 5.7
Patterson Mill High School Bel Air 2.1 mi 5.4
Patterson Mill Middle School Bel Air 2.1 mi 5.3
C. Milton Wright High Bel Air 2.3 mi 5.2
Red Pump Elementary School Bel Air 2.2 mi 7.9
Fountain Green Elementary Bel Air 2.4 mi 8.6
Hickory Elementary Bel Air 3.3 mi 7.8
Emmorton Elementary Bel Air 3.2 mi 8.1
Forest Lakes Elementary Forest Hill 3.3 mi 7.8
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon 3.9 mi 7.1
Prospect Mill Elementary Bel Air 3.4 mi 7.9
Fallston Middle School Fallston 3.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$113,825

Median Home Value

$407,800

Median Rent

$1,571/mo

Population

37,976

College Educated

44.5%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bel Air High has a median household income of $113,825. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $407,800, with a median rent of $1,571/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Glenelg High Glenelg, MD 5.6
Huntingtown High School Huntingtown, MD 5.6
James Hubert Blake High Silver Spring, MD 5.6
Northern High Owings, MD 5.6
Reservoir High Fulton, MD 5.6
Dulaney High Timonium, MD 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bel Air High

What grades does Bel Air High serve?

Bel Air High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bel Air High?

Bel Air High has an enrollment of approximately 1,419 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bel Air High?

The student-teacher ratio at Bel Air High is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bel Air High rank in MD?

Bel Air High is ranked #952 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bel Air High's MySchoolScout rating?

Bel Air High 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 Bel Air High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bel Air High has 49.0% math proficiency and 72.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bel Air High a charter school?

No, Bel Air High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bel Air High a Title I school?

No, Bel Air High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bel Air High?

21.1% of students at Bel Air High 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bel Air). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,419
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
88
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Harford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harford County Public Schools
District Enrollment
38,105
Schools in District
55
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,493
District Rank
#42 of 55

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.

Read our full methodology

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