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Average

#556 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 41% in state

Western High

High School · Baltimore City Public Schools

4600 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209

Enrollment

1,328

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baltimore

#82 of 267

public schools

Maryland high schools

#9 of 226

In district

#52 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Western High

Western High serves 1,328 students in grades 9-12 in Baltimore, Maryland, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 across 74 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #661 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 52nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. Academically, Western High shows strong performance in English Language Arts, where 79% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.

However, mathematics presents a significant area for growth, with only 4% of students achieving proficiency. This contrast suggests the school excels in literacy instruction while working to strengthen its mathematics programming and support systems. The school serves the 21209 ZIP code area, a well-established neighborhood where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $89,398.

With a low poverty rate of 8.0% and median home values of $393,600, the community demonstrates strong socioeconomic stability. Western High operates within Baltimore's large city environment, providing students with access to urban resources and opportunities while serving a economically stable residential area along Falls Road.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.4%
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,272

Western High — Students at Western High score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.8%
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

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
79%
2025
Math
24%
ELA
66.4%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Western High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in MD
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

4600 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (rated 6.0/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Academy for College and Career Exploration (rated 5.0/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Baltimore 0.1 mi 6.0
ST DAVIDS DAY SCHOOL Baltimore 0.3 mi
Medfield Heights Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 8.0
WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore 0.6 mi 8.4
Roland Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.8
GILMAN SCHOOL Baltimore 1.0 mi 7.7
Academy for College and Career Exploration Baltimore 1.2 mi 5.0
HAMPDEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 1.2 mi
SCHOOL OF THE CATHEDRAL MARY OUR QUEEN Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.1
Hampden Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.2 mi 8.6
Park Heights Academy Baltimore 1.1 mi 6.8
THE BRYN MAWR SCHOOL Baltimore 1.4 mi 7.4
The Mount Washington School Baltimore 1.4 mi 5.8
CALVERT SCHOOL Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.4
GRACE UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL Baltimore 1.4 mi
BOYS LATIN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Baltimore 1.7 mi 6.8
Pimlico Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.4 mi 4.7
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER PARISH DAY SCHOOL Baltimore 1.6 mi 4.6
Creative City Public Charter School Baltimore 1.5 mi 7.5
FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Baltimore 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,669

Median Home Value

$418,800

Median Rent

$1,640/mo

Population

30,766

College Educated

60.4%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western High has a median household income of $87,669. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,800, with a median rent of $1,640/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Col. Zadok Magruder High Rockville, MD 6.7
Eastern Technical High School Baltimore, MD 6.7
Northwood High Silver Spring, MD 6.7
DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hyattsville, MD 7.0
NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL Towson, MD 7.0
Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg, MD 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western High

What grades does Western High serve?

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

How many students attend Western High?

Western High has an enrollment of approximately 1,328 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western High?

The student-teacher ratio at Western 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 Western High rank in MD?

Western High is ranked #556 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Western High's MySchoolScout rating?

Western High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Western High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western High has 19.8% math proficiency and 65.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western High a charter school?

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

Is Western High a Title I school?

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

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

70.8% of students at Western 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
72 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
46 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
1,328
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Type
regular
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
#52 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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