Skip to main content

Average

#1036 of 1,363 schools in MD

Hereford High

High School · Baltimore County Public Schools

17301 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120

Enrollment

1,200

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Parkton

#2 of 2

public schools

Maryland high schools

#107 of 226

In district

#118 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

About Hereford High

Hereford High serves 1,200 students in grades 9-12 in Parkton, Maryland, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing public high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #138 out of 1,364 Maryland schools, Hereford consistently demonstrates academic excellence that places it in the 90th percentile statewide. The school's 72 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a manageable 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio, supporting strong academic outcomes across core subjects.

Students perform particularly well in English Language Arts, with 75% achieving proficient or above levels, while 65% reach proficiency in mathematics. These impressive results reflect both the school's commitment to quality education and the supportive community environment. Families in the 21120 zip code area represent an affluent, highly educated population, with a median household income of $148,090 and 61% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The low poverty rate of just 1.5% and median home values around $527,100 indicate a stable, resourced community that strongly values education. Hereford High's campus sits in a rural setting near the town of Parkton in Baltimore County, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of the greater Baltimore region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hereford High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.8%
Math vs. State Avg-24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.7 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness9.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation44.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,538

Hereford High — Students at Hereford High score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.4%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 78.7%
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
69%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
5.4%
ELA
86.8%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Hereford High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
24th percentile in MD
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers

Location

17301 York Rd, Parkton, MD 21120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hereford High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OLDFIELDS SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Sparks Glencoe), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dulaney High (rated 5.5/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Timonium), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Parkton, see our Parkton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hereford Middle Monkton 1.9 mi 5.3
OLDFIELDS SCHOOL Sparks Glencoe 3.5 mi 8.0
Sparks Elementary Sparks 4.0 mi 7.8
THE TRELLIS SCHOOL Sparks 5.3 mi 7.7
Seventh District Elementary Parkton 5.7 mi 6.8
Prettyboy Elementary Freeland 5.5 mi 6.1
ST JAMES ACADEMY Monkton 5.4 mi 5.3
SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Hunt Valley 7.5 mi 7.7
Fifth District Elementary Upperco 6.3 mi 8.0
Cockeysville Middle Cockeysville 8.9 mi 5.0
Jacksonville Elementary Phoenix 8.0 mi 5.4
Warren Elementary Cockeysville 9.1 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI MANOR Phoenix 8.1 mi
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL Cockeysville 9.5 mi 5.1
Padonia International Elementary Cockeysville 9.6 mi 5.6
Mays Chapel Elementary Timonium 9.8 mi 5.8
APPLE TREE CHILDREN'S CENTER Cockeysville 9.9 mi 6.5
Dulaney High Timonium 9.9 mi 5.5
SHREWSBURY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Freedom 10.1 mi 5.9
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL New Freedom 10.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$157,275

Median Home Value

$552,400

Median Rent

$1,338/mo

Population

7,286

College Educated

62%

Homeownership

94.9%

Avg Commute

35.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hereford High has a median household income of $157,275. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $552,400, with a median rent of $1,338/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Atholton High Columbia, MD 5.3
Central High Capitol Heights, MD 5.3
New Town High Owings Mills, MD 5.3
Arundel High Gambrills, MD 5.2
C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD 5.2
Paul Laurence Dunbar High Baltimore, MD 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hereford High

What grades does Hereford High serve?

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

How many students attend Hereford High?

Hereford High has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hereford High?

The student-teacher ratio at Hereford High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hereford High rank in MD?

Hereford High is ranked #1036 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Hereford High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hereford High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Hereford High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hereford High has 49.4% math proficiency and 78.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hereford High a charter school?

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

Is Hereford High a Title I school?

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

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

12.2% of students at Hereford 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,200
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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
#118 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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.