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#1113 of 1,363 schools in MD

Towson High

High School · Baltimore County Public Schools

69 Cedar Ave, Towson, MD 21286

Enrollment

1,650

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Towson

#5 of 6

public schools

Maryland high schools

#136 of 226

In district

#128 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

About Towson High

Towson High serves 1,650 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Towson, Maryland, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 among its 92 full-time equivalent teachers. This public high school has earned strong recognition, ranking #194 out of 1,364 Maryland schools and placing in the 86th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with particularly strong results in English Language Arts, where 79% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance shows 57% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, indicating steady progress in quantitative skills. These achievements contribute to an impressive academic score of 9.5 out of 10. Towson High draws families from a well-educated community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $92,722.

The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $373,500, reflecting the area's desirable character. With a ZIP code population of 21,142 and a 13% poverty rate, the community provides a stable foundation for student learning. The school sits in Towson's small city environment, offering students access to both suburban amenities and urban opportunities in the greater Baltimore area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.3%
Math vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation55.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,538

Towson High — Students at Towson High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.2%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
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
77%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
79%
2025
Math
6.9%
ELA
74.3%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Towson High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in MD
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

Location

69 Cedar Ave, Towson, MD 21286

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Towson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MERCY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Home Assignments-Secondary (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Towson, see our Towson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Stoneleigh Elementary Baltimore 0.6 mi 6.1
Home Assignments-Elementary Towson 0.7 mi
Home Assignments-Secondary Towson 0.7 mi 6.8
BCDC Educational Center Towson 0.7 mi 4.8
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Towson 0.9 mi 4.9
Dumbarton Middle Baltimore 0.9 mi 6.2
BALTIMORE ACTOR'S THEATRE - THE DUMBARTON HOUSE Baltimore 0.9 mi
Rodgers Forge Elementary Baltimore 1.0 mi 7.9
CALVERT HALL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.0
George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology Towson 1.4 mi 5.5
Loch Raven Technical Academy Baltimore 1.2 mi 4.4
Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet Baltimore 1.4 mi 8.3
Hampton Elementary Lutherville 1.8 mi 6.0
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore 1.8 mi 7.2
Leith Walk Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.8 mi 6.8
Pleasant Plains Elementary Towson 1.5 mi 5.5
LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD Towson 1.6 mi 4.8
GOVANS PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Baltimore 2.0 mi
Govans Elementary Baltimore 2.1 mi 7.2
VALLEY BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Lutherville 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21286 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,093

Median Home Value

$402,000

Median Rent

$1,597/mo

Population

21,782

College Educated

57.4%

Homeownership

62.3%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Towson High has a median household income of $93,093. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $402,000, with a median rent of $1,597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High Upper Marlboro, MD 5.0
Franklin High Reisterstown, MD 5.0
North East High North East, MD 5.0
Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore, MD 5.1
Century High Sykesville, MD 4.9
Damascus High Damascus, MD 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Towson High

What grades does Towson High serve?

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

How many students attend Towson High?

Towson High has an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Towson High?

The student-teacher ratio at Towson High is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Towson High rank in MD?

Towson High is ranked #1113 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Towson High's MySchoolScout rating?

Towson High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Towson High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Towson High has 43.2% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Towson High a charter school?

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

Is Towson High a Title I school?

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

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

25.3% of students at Towson 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
17 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,650
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#128 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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