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Needs Improvement

#1307 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

3.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,307 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#231 of 267

public schools

In district

#133 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

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Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High

3.1/10

High School in Baltimore · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Montebello Elementary/middle

4.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Baltimore City College

7.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High is a public high school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High serves approximately 1,757 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,307 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.3
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

83% of students at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate68%
AP Participation10.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism82.7%

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High — Students at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

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 45.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 27 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
25%
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: 2.5/10.

How Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in MD
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.1
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
104 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
82.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
10.6% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·18 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Baltimore City College (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Reach! Partnership School (rated 4.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.6
Baltimore City College Baltimore 0.5 mi 7.9
Abbottston Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 4.5
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 4.8
The Reach! Partnership School Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.8
Stadium School Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.7
Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.7
Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.3
Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 2.1
Lillie May Carroll Jackson School Baltimore 1.2 mi 7.9
Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.9
Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.3 mi
Northwood Elementary Baltimore 1.4 mi 5.0
The Green School of Baltimore Baltimore 1.2 mi 7.6
Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.2 mi 4.6
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore 1.5 mi 6.8
Cecil Elementary Baltimore 1.5 mi 2.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dundalk High Baltimore, MD 3.1
Digital Harbor High School Baltimore, MD 3.0
Owings Mills High Owings Mills, MD 2.8
Lansdowne High Baltimore, MD 3.5
Overlea High Baltimore, MD 3.5
Randallstown High Randallstown, MD 3.7

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 ranks #1,307 of 1,363 schools in MD.

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

Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mergenthaler Vocational-technical High has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
82.7%
4-Year Graduation
68.0%

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