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#1055 of 1,363 schools in MD

Catonsville High

High School · Baltimore County Public Schools

421 Bloomsbury Ave, Baltimore, MD 21228

Enrollment

1,733

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baltimore

#193 of 267

public schools

Maryland high schools

#116 of 226

In district

#120 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

About Catonsville High

Catonsville High serves 1,733 students in grades 9-12 in Baltimore County, ranking in the 71st percentile statewide at #400 out of 1,364 Maryland schools. With 108 full-time teachers, the school maintains a 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for reasonable class sizes in this large suburban setting. Academically, Catonsville High shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 64% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

The school's math program has room for growth, with 35% of students meeting proficiency standards. Overall, the school earns a 6.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting a balance of strengths and areas for continued improvement. The school draws from an established community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $102,592.

This educated, middle-class neighborhood in the 21228 ZIP code maintains a low poverty rate of just 7.9%, with median home values around $363,800. Catonsville High is situated on Bloomsbury Avenue in the heart of this well-established Baltimore County suburb, serving families in a community that values education and maintains strong residential stability.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.5%
Math vs. State Avg-19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,538

Catonsville High — Students at Catonsville High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 65.9%
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
47%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
11%
ELA
62.5%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Catonsville High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in MD
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
108 teachers

Location

421 Bloomsbury Ave, Baltimore, MD 21228

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Catonsville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Western School of Technology (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY (rated 5.4/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies (rated 4.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.8
Catonsville Elementary Catonsville 0.8 mi 8.1
ST MARK SCHOOL Catonsville 1.0 mi 6.1
APPLE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Catonsville 1.0 mi
Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 6.9
Western School of Technology Baltimore 1.2 mi 6.4
WATSON HALL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore 1.8 mi
Westowne Elementary Catonsville 1.9 mi 8.3
Arbutus Middle Baltimore 1.6 mi 5.9
MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY Baltimore 1.9 mi 5.4
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Baltimore 2.1 mi 6.4
Johnnycake Elementary Baltimore 2.3 mi 6.9
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Baltimore 2.0 mi 6.0
North Bend Elementary/Middle Baltimore 2.2 mi 8.9
Maiden Choice School Baltimore 1.9 mi 4.7
Arbutus Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 8.3
Southwest Academy Baltimore 2.8 mi 5.6
Westchester Elementary Baltimore 2.3 mi 5.6
Relay Elementary Baltimore 2.5 mi 7.1
Edmondson Heights Elementary Baltimore 2.8 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21228 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,714

Median Home Value

$389,200

Median Rent

$1,631/mo

Population

49,417

College Educated

49.8%

Homeownership

71.6%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

43.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Catonsville High has a median household income of $107,714. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $389,200, with a median rent of $1,631/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. 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
Arundel High Gambrills, MD 5.2
C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD 5.2
Paint Branch High Burtonsville, MD 5.2
Paul Laurence Dunbar High Baltimore, MD 5.2
Thomas S. Wootton High Rockville, MD 5.2
Atholton High Columbia, MD 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Catonsville High

What grades does Catonsville High serve?

Catonsville High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Catonsville High?

Catonsville High has an enrollment of approximately 1,733 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Catonsville High?

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

How does Catonsville High rank in MD?

Catonsville High is ranked #1055 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Catonsville High's MySchoolScout rating?

Catonsville High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Catonsville High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Catonsville High has 29.8% math proficiency and 65.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Catonsville High a charter school?

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

Is Catonsville High a Title I school?

No, Catonsville High is not currently a Title I school.

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

40.8% of students at Catonsville 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,784/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,733
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
108
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Baltimore County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#120 of 169

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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