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Needs Improvement

#1321 of 1,363 schools in MD

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High

High School · Baltimore City Public Schools

3500 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21218

Enrollment

1,757

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baltimore

#254 of 267

public schools

Maryland high schools

#210 of 226

In district

#142 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

About Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High

Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High serves 1,757 students in grades 9-12 as a specialized vocational and technical school in Baltimore. With 104 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio, providing focused attention in its career-oriented programs. The school faces significant academic challenges, with only 33% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 2% in mathematics across grade levels.

Currently ranked 1220th out of 1364 Maryland high schools, Mergenthaler operates with considerable room for academic growth while maintaining its focus on technical education and workforce preparation. As a vocational-technical institution, Mergenthaler emphasizes hands-on learning and career readiness, preparing students for direct entry into the workforce or continued technical education after graduation. The school's specialized mission distinguishes it from traditional comprehensive high schools, offering students practical skills alongside academic coursework.

The school is situated in Baltimore's 21218 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,847 and median home value reaches $220,900. This diverse urban community of 46,548 residents includes 45% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, though 23.2% of families live below the poverty line. Mergenthaler serves as an important educational resource in this large city setting, providing vocational pathways for students in Baltimore's dynamic urban environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.6%
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,272

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High — Students at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
9%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
33%
2025
ELA
29.6%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High Compares

See how Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
3th percentile in MD
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
104 teachers

Location

3500 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baltimore City College (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Reach! Partnership School (rated 4.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Montebello Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.4 mi 5.5
Baltimore City College Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.4
Abbottston Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 6.0
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Baltimore 0.6 mi 7.5
ST ELIZABETH SCHOOL Baltimore 0.7 mi 8.6
Waverly Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.8 mi 7.5
The Reach! Partnership School Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.8
Stadium School Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.4
Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore 1.0 mi 3.1
Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.5
Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 3.7
Lillie May Carroll Jackson School Baltimore 1.2 mi 5.6
Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 9.1
Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.3 mi
Northwood Elementary Baltimore 1.4 mi 7.8
The Green School of Baltimore Baltimore 1.2 mi 5.4
Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.2 mi 6.0
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore 1.5 mi 6.8
Cecil Elementary Baltimore 1.5 mi 5.5
CARDINAL SHEHAN SCHOOL Baltimore 1.7 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,378

Median Home Value

$229,800

Median Rent

$1,239/mo

Population

44,903

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

49.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has a median household income of $58,378. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,800, with a median rent of $1,239/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Digital Harbor High School Baltimore, MD 3.7
Dundalk High Baltimore, MD 3.7
Gwynn Park High Brandywine, MD 3.7
Walkersville High Walkersville, MD 3.7
Bladensburg High Bladensburg, MD 3.9
North Caroline High School Ridgely, MD 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High

What grades does Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High serve?

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High?

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has an enrollment of approximately 1,757 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High rank in MD?

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High is ranked #1321 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has 7.3% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High a charter school?

No, Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High a Title I school?

No, Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High?

77.9% of students at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical 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
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
66 Good Transit
Bike Score
51 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
1,757
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
104
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Type
vocational
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Baltimore City Public Schools
District Enrollment
75,811
Schools in District
151
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,977
District Rank
#142 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.

Read our full methodology

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