MDMaryland rankings

Towns with the best public schools in Maryland

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Maryland average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 235 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

Maryland · Best schools

Ellicott City ranks #11 of 235

+29.7 pts vs. the MD average in math + reading · Visit Ellicott City →

1 Snow Hill +42.1 pts Math 57% · Reading 82%

2 Poolesville +41.0 pts Math 63.8% · Reading 73%

3 Huntingtown +39.6 pts Math 58.3% · Reading 75.6%

#Townvs. state averageMathReading

Snow HillWorcester County Public Schools +42.1 pts 57% 82%

PoolesvilleMontgomery County Public Schools +41.0 pts 63.8% 73%

HuntingtownCalvert County Public Schools +39.6 pts 58.3% 75.6%

4 BethesdaMontgomery County Public Schools +38.8 pts 58.7% 73.7%

PotomacMontgomery County Public Schools +37.8 pts 61.7% 68.8%

UrbanaFrederick County Public Schools +35.9 pts 58.6% 67.9%

Cape St. ClaireAnne Arundel County Public Schools +34.3 pts 54.9% 68.5%

8 Ashton-Sandy SpringMontgomery County Public Schools +33.2 pts 53.8% 67.3%

9 Chevy ChaseMontgomery County Public Schools +33.1 pts 58% 63%

10 Four CornersMontgomery County Public Schools +32.4 pts 51.2% 68.4%

Ellicott CityHoward County Public Schools +29.7 pts 53.7% 60.5%

12 FultonHoward County Public Schools +29.6 pts 52.7% 61.2%

13 North BethesdaMontgomery County Public Schools +28.7 pts 49.8% 62.4%

14 RockvilleMontgomery County Public Schools +28.6 pts 50% 61.9%

15 LinganoreFrederick County Public Schools +28.4 pts 49.2% 62.4%

MiddletownFrederick County Public Schools +27.6 pts 47.3% 62.7%

17 North PotomacMontgomery County Public Schools +27.1 pts 49.8% 59.2%

18 EldersburgCarroll County Public Schools +26.9 pts 50.3% 58.3%

Severna ParkAnne Arundel County Public Schools +24.9 pts 46.5% 58.1%

20 ManchesterCarroll County Public Schools +24.1 pts 49.6% 53.5%

21 BerlinWorcester County Public Schools +23.5 pts 42.9% 58.8%

22 FallstonHarford County Public Schools +22.2 pts 41.3% 57.9%

23 Mays ChapelBaltimore County Public Schools +21.7 pts 46% 52.1%

Prince FrederickCalvert County Public Schools +20.8 pts 37.2% 59.2%

25 Takoma ParkMontgomery County Public Schools +20.3 pts 37.3% 58.1%

26 ClarksburgMontgomery County Public Schools +20.1 pts 38.8% 56.1%

27 HoneygoBaltimore County Public Schools +20.1 pts 44% 51%

SpringdalePrince George's County Public Schools +19.6 pts 34% 60%

ColumbiaHoward County Public Schools +19.2 pts 41.1% 52.1%

30 Bel AirHarford County Public Schools +18.9 pts 39.4% 53.2%

31 South KensingtonMontgomery County Public Schools +18.1 pts 34.3% 56.8%

32 Bel Air NorthHarford County Public Schools +17.2 pts 39.4% 49.9%

KingsvilleBaltimore County Public Schools +17.1 pts 42% 47%

BoonsboroWashington County Public Schools +17.0 pts 36.7% 52%

35 TowsonBaltimore County Public Schools +16.6 pts 31.5% 56.5%

CloverlyMontgomery County Public Schools +16.3 pts 35.4% 52%

37 BrunswickFrederick County Public Schools +16.3 pts 34% 53.4%

38 CentrevilleQueen Anne's County Public Schools +16.2 pts 37.1% 50.2%

39 StevensvilleQueen Anne's County Public Schools +16.1 pts 37.1% 49.9%

40 DamascusMontgomery County Public Schools +15.7 pts 34.8% 51.3%

SmithsburgWashington County Public Schools +15.6 pts 32.3% 53.7%

LuthervilleBaltimore County Public Schools +15.3 pts 26.2% 59.2%

43 Lake ShoreAnne Arundel County Public Schools +15.1 pts 32.6% 52.4%

44 TimoniumBaltimore County Public Schools +14.9 pts 38.6% 46.1%

45 CatonsvilleBaltimore County Public Schools +14.8 pts 28.7% 55.7%

46 West Ocean CityWorcester County Public Schools +14.6 pts 37% 47%

47 ParoleAnne Arundel County Public Schools +14.3 pts 31.2% 52.1%

48 GreenbeltPrince George's County Public Schools +13.9 pts 33.7% 48.9%

SykesvilleCarroll County Public Schools +13.6 pts 28% 54%

50 FrostburgAllegany County Public Schools +13.4 pts 29% 52.6%

51 CockeysvilleBaltimore County Public Schools +13.3 pts 28.4% 52.9%

52 WalkersvilleFrederick County Public Schools +12.4 pts 33.4% 46.2%

53 Green ValleyFrederick County Public Schools +12.3 pts 31.5% 48%

54 White MarshBaltimore County Public Schools +11.9 pts 26.3% 52.3%

Bel Air SouthHarford County Public Schools +10.8 pts 33.1% 43.2%

56 La PlataCharles County Public Schools +10.7 pts 29.5% 46.7%

57 HamptonBaltimore County Public Schools +10.4 pts 23.7% 52%

Forest HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools +10.2 pts 27.3% 47.9%

59 BensvilleCharles County Public Schools +10.1 pts 28.3% 46.7%

OlneyMontgomery County Public Schools +9.8 pts 28% 46.5%

61 White OakMontgomery County Public Schools +9.8 pts 25.6% 48.8%

62 OdentonAnne Arundel County Public Schools +9.7 pts 28.5% 45.8%

63 North KensingtonMontgomery County Public Schools +9.5 pts 25% 48.8%

GermantownMontgomery County Public Schools +9.3 pts 31% 42.4%

65 Ballenger CreekFrederick County Public Schools +9.0 pts 27.5% 45.2%

66 CroftonAnne Arundel County Public Schools +8.7 pts 27.8% 44.5%

67 HampsteadCarroll County Public Schools +8.6 pts 28.8% 43.2%

68 JarrettsvilleHarford County Public Schools +8.6 pts 37% 35%

69 ScaggsvilleHoward County Public Schools +8.5 pts 29.7% 42.1%

ArnoldAnne Arundel County Public Schools +8.0 pts 26.2% 44.7%

LusbyCalvert County Public Schools +7.7 pts 26.2% 44%

72 LargoPrince George's County Public Schools +7.2 pts 25.6% 43.6%

73 DarnestownMontgomery County Public Schools +6.8 pts 32.5% 35.8%

74 IlchesterHoward County Public Schools +6.5 pts 27.7% 40.1%

75 RedlandMontgomery County Public Schools +6.3 pts 22.9% 44.6%

GlenardenPrince George's County Public Schools +6.0 pts 28.2% 38.7%

Mount AiryCarroll County Public Schools +5.9 pts 27.5% 39.1%

Forest GlenMontgomery County Public Schools +5.6 pts 29% 37%

79 Havre de GraceHarford County Public Schools +5.5 pts 23.7% 42.1%

80 FerndaleAnne Arundel County Public Schools +5.2 pts 23.7% 41.6%

81 FairlandMontgomery County Public Schools +5.0 pts 25.8% 38.9%

MayoAnne Arundel County Public Schools +4.6 pts 27% 37%

83 WildewoodSt. Mary's County Public Schools +4.6 pts 32% 32%

84 LeonardtownSt. Mary's County Public Schools +4.1 pts 31% 32%

85 Silver SpringMontgomery County Public Schools +3.9 pts 23.6% 39%

86 CumberlandAllegany County Public Schools +3.8 pts 23% 39.4%

FrederickFrederick County Public Schools +3.7 pts 25% 37.1%

EastonTalbot County Public Schools +3.7 pts 21.7% 40.4%

89 SalisburyWicomico County Public Schools +3.6 pts 27.5% 34.5%

90 KonterraPrince George's County Public Schools +3.6 pts 20% 42%

91 MonroviaFrederick County Public Schools +3.6 pts 27% 35%

BowiePrince George's County Public Schools +2.8 pts 17.3% 43.1%

93 PikesvilleBaltimore County Public Schools +2.3 pts 17.5% 41.9%

Perry HallBaltimore County Public Schools +2.2 pts 19.8% 39.3%

HagerstownWashington County Public Schools +2.1 pts 19.5% 39.4%

Lexington ParkSt. Mary's County Public Schools +2.1 pts 30% 29%

97 Pocomoke CityWorcester County Public Schools +1.7 pts 23% 35.3%

WheatonMontgomery County Public Schools +1.1 pts 20.7% 36.4%

99 WestminsterCarroll County Public Schools +1.1 pts 20.6% 36.4%

100

EdgemereBaltimore County Public Schools +0.7 pts 16.8% 39.3%

101 SeabrookPrince George's County Public Schools +0.4 pts 18.7% 37%

102 BeltsvillePrince George's County Public Schools +0.2 pts 14.7% 40.5%

103

University ParkPrince George's County Public Schools +0.1 pts 23% 32%

104 GaithersburgMontgomery County Public Schools −0.1 pts 20.4% 34.2%

105 North LaurelHoward County Public Schools −0.3 pts 23.2% 31%

106 Spring RidgeFrederick County Public Schools −0.4 pts 27% 27%

107 Capitol HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools −0.4 pts 17% 37%

108 JeffersonFrederick County Public Schools −0.4 pts 25% 29%

109 Aspen HillMontgomery County Public Schools −0.8 pts 19.3% 33.9%

110 Fort MeadeAnne Arundel County Public Schools −0.8 pts 17.2% 36.1%

111 ReisterstownBaltimore County Public Schools −0.9 pts 16.5% 36.4%

112 GrasonvilleQueen Anne's County Public Schools −0.9 pts 28% 25%

113 AberdeenHarford County Public Schools −1.1 pts 20.5% 32%

114

East RiverdalePrince George's County Public Schools −1.6 pts 15.2% 36.3%

115 Chesapeake BeachCalvert County Public Schools −1.9 pts 20% 31%

116 EssexBaltimore County Public Schools −2.3 pts 13.6% 36.5%

117

PasadenaAnne Arundel County Public Schools −2.3 pts 15.5% 34.7%

118 EdgewoodHarford County Public Schools −2.6 pts 18.9% 30.7%

119 GlenmontMontgomery County Public Schools −2.6 pts 14.1% 35.5%

120 Glen BurnieAnne Arundel County Public Schools −2.9 pts 15.5% 33.6%

121 ElkridgeHoward County Public Schools −3.0 pts 17.5% 31.2%

122 AccokeekPrince George's County Public Schools −3.4 pts 12% 36%

123

Rising SunCecil County Public Schools −3.4 pts 12% 36%

124 TaneytownCarroll County Public Schools −3.6 pts 16.1% 31.5%

125 ColesvilleMontgomery County Public Schools −3.7 pts 22.9% 24.6%

126 Brown StationPrince George's County Public Schools −3.7 pts 14.2% 33.3%

127 MelwoodPrince George's County Public Schools −4.4 pts 11% 35%

128 ThurmontFrederick County Public Schools −4.5 pts 15.3% 30.6%

129 CarneyBaltimore County Public Schools −4.7 pts 14.8% 30.6%

130 BurtonsvilleMontgomery County Public Schools −4.9 pts 16% 29%

131 Burnt MillsMontgomery County Public Schools −4.9 pts 19% 26%

132 ElktonCecil County Public Schools −5.0 pts 15.2% 29.7%

133 CaliforniaSt. Mary's County Public Schools −5.1 pts 16.7% 27.9%

134 DealeAnne Arundel County Public Schools −5.4 pts 17% 27%

135 LinthicumAnne Arundel County Public Schools −5.9 pts 14.4% 28.7%

136

LaurelPrince George's County Public Schools −6.3 pts 11.3% 30.9%

137

ArbutusBaltimore County Public Schools −6.7 pts 12.8% 28.6%

138 BrandywinePrince George's County Public Schools −6.7 pts 9.3% 32.2%

139

SavageHoward County Public Schools −6.7 pts 11.5% 30%

140 La ValeAllegany County Public Schools −6.8 pts 19.3% 22%

141 FriendlyPrince George's County Public Schools −7.1 pts 12.1% 28.5%

142 Brock HallPrince George's County Public Schools −7.4 pts 10% 30%

143 LayhillMontgomery County Public Schools −7.4 pts 8% 32%

144 FruitlandWicomico County Public Schools −7.6 pts 14.6% 25.1%

145 Kemp MillMontgomery County Public Schools −7.8 pts 13.2% 26%

146 ParkvilleBaltimore County Public Schools −7.9 pts 9.5% 29.6%

147 St. JamesWashington County Public Schools −7.9 pts 22% 17%

148

Shady SideAnne Arundel County Public Schools −7.9 pts 12% 27%

149 West LaurelPrince George's County Public Schools −7.9 pts 13% 26%

150 Riviera BeachAnne Arundel County Public Schools −8.0 pts 15.3% 23.6%

151 JoppatowneHarford County Public Schools −8.1 pts 13.3% 25.4%

152

OverleaBaltimore County Public Schools −8.2 pts 16.4% 21.9%

153 Annapolis NeckAnne Arundel County Public Schools −8.5 pts 10.4% 27.4%

154 WaldorfCharles County Public Schools −8.6 pts 11.7% 25.9%

155 EdgewaterAnne Arundel County Public Schools −8.9 pts 16% 21%

156 Bryans RoadCharles County Public Schools −9.1 pts 9.5% 27.2%

157

PerryvilleCecil County Public Schools −9.3 pts 10.4% 25.8%

158 DentonCaroline County Public Schools −9.6 pts 9.4% 26.2%

159

RandallstownBaltimore County Public Schools −9.7 pts 7.6% 27.8%

160 Riverdale ParkPrince George's County Public Schools −10.0 pts 7.2% 27.5%

161 EmmitsburgFrederick County Public Schools −10.4 pts 17% 17%

162 Paramount-Long MeadowWashington County Public Schools −10.4 pts 12% 22%

163

Walker MillPrince George's County Public Schools −10.6 pts 7.5% 26.2%

164 HyattsvillePrince George's County Public Schools −11.0 pts 9% 23.8%

165 HillandaleMontgomery County Public Schools −11.2 pts 7.3% 25%

166 LandoverPrince George's County Public Schools −11.3 pts 7.1% 25.1%

167

RiversideHarford County Public Schools −11.4 pts 11% 21%

168 CresaptownAllegany County Public Schools −11.4 pts 9.6% 22.3%

169 Andrews AFBPrince George's County Public Schools −11.8 pts 8.7% 22.5%

170

ChestertownKent County Public Schools −12.1 pts 7.2% 23.3%

171 SevernAnne Arundel County Public Schools −12.2 pts 13.2% 17.2%

172

BladensburgPrince George's County Public Schools −12.3 pts 8.6% 21.5%

173 Owings MillsBaltimore County Public Schools −12.4 pts 7.4% 22.7%

174

MaugansvilleWashington County Public Schools −12.4 pts 13% 17%

175

WoodlawnBaltimore County Public Schools −12.7 pts 7.1% 22.4%

176 Maryland CityAnne Arundel County Public Schools −12.7 pts 9.6% 19.7%

177 Flower HillMontgomery County Public Schools −12.7 pts 10.5% 19%

178 North EastCecil County Public Schools −12.7 pts 8.4% 20.9%

179 Brooklyn ParkAnne Arundel County Public Schools −12.9 pts 7.4% 21.6%

180 CambridgeDorchester County Public Schools −12.9 pts 9.2% 19.8%

181 LochearnBaltimore County Public Schools −13.0 pts 8% 20.8%

182 RosedaleBaltimore County Public Schools −13.2 pts 5.9% 22.5%

183

Middle RiverBaltimore County Public Schools −13.3 pts 8.3% 19.9%

184 MarltonPrince George's County Public Schools −13.3 pts 7.8% 20.4%

185

WoodmorePrince George's County Public Schools −13.4 pts 8% 20%

186

Berwyn HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools −13.4 pts 10% 18%

187 CalvertonPrince George's County Public Schools −13.7 pts 11.1% 16.2%

188 KetteringPrince George's County Public Schools −13.7 pts 6.1% 21.2%

189

AnnapolisAnne Arundel County Public Schools −13.8 pts 9.6% 17.5%

190 DundalkBaltimore County Public Schools −13.9 pts 6.1% 21%

191 GlassmanorPrince George's County Public Schools −13.9 pts 6.6% 20.3%

192 Fort WashingtonPrince George's County Public Schools −14.0 pts 4.8% 22%

193

Milford MillBaltimore County Public Schools −14.2 pts 6.6% 19.9%

194 ForestvillePrince George's County Public Schools −14.2 pts 7.1% 19.3%

195

BaltimoreBaltimore City Public Schools −14.7 pts 8.3% 17.1%

196

SuitlandPrince George's County Public Schools −14.8 pts 4.3% 20.8%

197 Lake ArborPrince George's County Public Schools −14.9 pts 3.9% 21.1%

198 GarrisonBaltimore County Public Schools −14.9 pts 7% 18%

199

Camp SpringsPrince George's County Public Schools −15.1 pts 6.4% 18.3%

200 Silver HillPrince George's County Public Schools −15.2 pts 7.5% 17%

201

Montgomery VillageMontgomery County Public Schools −15.4 pts 8.3% 15.6%

202

LanhamPrince George's County Public Schools −15.4 pts 6.1% 18%

203 JessupAnne Arundel County Public Schools −15.4 pts 10% 14%

204

RosaryvillePrince George's County Public Schools −15.5 pts 3.9% 19.9%

205 SummerfieldPrince George's County Public Schools −15.9 pts 5.4% 17.5%

206 CheverlyPrince George's County Public Schools −15.9 pts 5% 18%

207

GreensboroCaroline County Public Schools −15.9 pts 9% 14%

208

HalfwayWashington County Public Schools −16.3 pts 10.2% 12%

209 ClintonPrince George's County Public Schools −16.8 pts 2.9% 18.4%

210

College ParkPrince George's County Public Schools −16.9 pts 7.5% 13.5%

211

Glenn DalePrince George's County Public Schools −16.9 pts 5% 16%

212 LansdowneBaltimore County Public Schools −16.9 pts 3.1% 17.8%

213 Oxon HillPrince George's County Public Schools −17.3 pts 4% 16.2%

214

South LaurelPrince George's County Public Schools −17.4 pts 3.8% 16.1%

215

Marlow HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools −17.4 pts 1.8% 18.3%

216 WoodlawnPrince George's County Public Schools −17.6 pts 4.7% 14.9%

217 Bowleys QuartersBaltimore County Public Schools −17.7 pts 7.5% 12%

218 FederalsburgCaroline County Public Schools −17.7 pts 7.5% 12%

219 HurlockDorchester County Public Schools −17.7 pts 7.5% 12%

220

Hillcrest HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools −18.4 pts 4.5% 13.5%

221 Princess AnneSomerset County Public Schools −18.4 pts 7% 11%

222 ChillumPrince George's County Public Schools −18.6 pts 3.4% 14.1%

223

New CarrolltonPrince George's County Public Schools −19.7 pts 3% 12.5%

224

Mount RainierPrince George's County Public Schools −20.0 pts 4.2% 10.5%

225

Baltimore HighlandsBaltimore County Public Schools −20.2 pts 2.5% 12%

226 Peppermill VillagePrince George's County Public Schools −20.2 pts 2.5% 12%

227

Coral HillsPrince George's County Public Schools −20.4 pts 2.1% 11.9%

228

AdelphiPrince George's County Public Schools −20.5 pts 2.7% 11.1%

229 Langley ParkPrince George's County Public Schools −20.8 pts 3.4% 9.7%

230 WestphaliaPrince George's County Public Schools −22.4 pts 2.5% 7.5%

231 Temple HillsPrince George's County Public Schools −22.4 pts 2.5% 7.5%

232 Seat PleasantPrince George's County Public Schools −22.4 pts 2.5% 7.5%

233 Indian HeadCharles County Public Schools −22.4 pts 2.5% 7.5%

234 Marlboro MeadowsPrince George's County Public Schools −22.4 pts 2.5% 7.5%

235

District HeightsPrince George's County Public Schools −24.9 pts 2.5% 2.5%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Maryland average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Maryland only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WV WI WY