2023 Best School Districts in Maryland

• Ellicott City, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  256 reviews

Junior: Overall, I've really enjoyed attending Howard county schools for my entire education so far and feel extremely fortunate to live in a district with so many resources! Almost every teacher I've had has been kind and patient, and you can tell that most teachers do truly care about their students and want them to succeed later in life. I strongly feel as though I am prepared to handle college due to the amount of GT and AP level courses I have been given the opportunity to take throughout high school. Both fine arts and athletics are well supported, and there is a strong emphasis on extracurricular involvement. However, I do think that the homework load at times is quite excessive, and it can be very difficult to manage taking multiple GT/AP/Honors courses while also being involved in other activities. Because it is such a wealthy county, there are many pretentious and overachieving students who do create a very competitive and at times stressful learning environment.... Read 256 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 77

• Students 57,293

• Rockville, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  589 reviews

Senior: The academics are great and so are the athletics. To start off the teachers are insanely nice and will do anything to help the student succeed if asked for help. I have received a lot of help before and after school with my teachers. Our football team is outstanding, especially with our new coaching staff we have been better than ever. The track team is also very awesome. We have made states consecutive years! The coach is just amazing and wants to see the athlete do better and get them to their full potential. The academics are great and so are the athletics. To start off the teachers are insanely nice and will do anything to help the student succeed if asked for help. I have received a lot of help before and after school with my teachers. Our football team is outstanding, especially with our new coaching staff we have been better than ever. The track team is also very awesome. We have made states consecutive years! The coach is just amazing and wants to see the athlete do better a... Read 589 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 209

• Students 160,564

• Newark, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  9 reviews

Senior: The quality of education from this county's school system is better than most surrounding counties. It has allowed me to pursue my interests in science and math and has also granted me access to technology that I could not get in other places. The school is usually clean and the attitude of the students is sub-par. The children are constantly fighting and using illicit substances both during and after classes. There is a definite need to change drug use in the school system and have a more efficient way of preventing this from happening.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 14

• Students 6,711

• Westminster, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.01 out of 5  85 reviews

Alum: Loved the music and theater arts! Offered many opportunities to compete in regional, state and national music and theater events! Theater students support each other across schools even though competing against each other.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 24,568

• Prince Frederick, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  43 reviews

Senior: Overall I felt like the school itself was pretty good compared to most others education wise. I felt like the students and faculty were pretty accepting too (speaking from my own experience and the students in my year), I'm trans and I felt like the majority of the lgbt or minority students were respected. I personally never saw any bullying (from my experience) and I'm pretty glad to have spent my high school career here. Northern has also recently been renovated and the new buildings are great! All 3 buildings are connected through a tough glass hallway and it's very visually pleasing. For facilities, they have a weightlifting room, a gym, a running track, a baseball feild, and some others. For arts, Northern has the Mary Harrison building where there is the auditorium, the theatre room, the clay room, and two of the art classrooms (photography/digital arts, painting/drawing, etc.) I myself am an art student and I enjoy the programs they have for it, especially the AP courses.... Read 43 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 25

• Students 15,292

• Frederick, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  131 reviews

Alum: Frederick County Public schools, specifically Middletown High School in Middletown, Maryland, has more than prepared me for my future in college. The academics were diverse and beneficial, offering AP, Honors, and even college classes in high school. The teachers were supportive and positive, always looking out for the students in the best way possible. The sports were a hit in high school and would provide a sense of community to the members. I feel a way Frederick County could improve is the arts section of the schooling, as it is a personal passion of mine. The arts were spectacular but compared to my previous school in Washington County, it lacked much needed unity and a strong peer vibe, creating a sense of rank and discord among classes. The classes and resources provided by the Frederick County Schooling was a must-have for any high schooler, and will provide a huge boost in my college resumes as I continue applying for schools.... Read 131 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 68

• Students 43,221

• Centreville, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.76 out of 5  41 reviews

Alum: Queen Anne's County Public Schools are a great place to learn, especially considering how challenging the administration can be in particular schools. Most of the teachers who are employed through this system have your child's best interests at heart and the safety of the area in which most schools are located is high.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 14

• Students 7,395

• Bel Air, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  115 reviews

Senior: During my high school experience I had to transfer schools. During that time everyone who I talked to on the phone was kind and patient with me through out the steps. They are a really warm and caring community. But I would really like to see that teachers get more days off and more appreciation for what they do. They have their own family, students, and work to do. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, so they deserve some break here and there.... Read 115 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 54

• Students 37,333

• Leonardtown, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.52 out of 5  21 reviews

Junior: The education offered here is great! It’s clear how much effort the teachers put into their teaching and assistance. There are also tons of extracurricular activities available to join, so there’s always an opportunity for something here.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 28

• Students 17,246

• Hagerstown, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  61 reviews

Senior: Washington County public schools does a good job of encouraging students to go to college and participate in work after graduation. There are many opportunities such as the Maryland apprenticeship Program that I am in that gives high school students the chance to get real life work experience in their field before graduating high school. They also offer both Barbra Ingram School for the Arts and Washington County Technical High School for those interested in pursing arts or going straight into the work force post graduation. These are all great opportunities that prepare students for what is to come.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 44

• Students 21,939

• Annapolis, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  269 reviews

Senior: This is the only place where I have lived for more than three years. When I first arrived there were so many terrible reviews on the county. They had me terrified to attend school here, but I absolutely loved my experience here. I made connections to other students, and teachers who helped me overcome academic challenges through my time here. There is no school in the world that won't have its problems and my high school is no different, but I enjoy going to school everyday, this county is very inclusive, each school has their rivalry in the county and it makes sporting events that much enjoyable because the entire county comes and supports. I wouldn't change anything in the world to attend a different school in another county.... Read 269 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 125

• Students 83,044

• Easton, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.11 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: I'm currently a senior of TCPS. All the schools in the district are very similar in rules, and learning curriculums. My school is one of the smaller schools, lacking certain sports and even funding for certain extracurriculars, especially the arts. I like that we students, do what we need to achieve our goals. In my school there are no cliques, all the kids are involved with mostly everything, music, art, drama, sports, and science/math/literature clubs and AP's. Teachers are very professional, patient, and open minded. Students experience one-on-one help with teachers whenever they are struggling. The relationship between schools should change in TCPS, allowing schools to share students for extracurricular activities, giving the students who go to a small school in TC to participate in productions or athletics of a bigger school that receives more attention and funding. In conclusion, my overall experience with TC is very good.... Read 18 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,524

• La Plata, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: Hello, I am speaking as a parent of an alum and a current student at NPHS. I have also worked as a substitute teacher in several different CCBOE schools. Overall Chuck County Schools have been great for my kids, and has more than met their needs. Like anyplace, it has areas where it could improve (lousy food has been mentioned), however , the school system really tries to do the best it can for its students and does the job well with the resources it has. Parents need to be more involved with their kids education to get the most out of what CCBOE schools have to offer and the resulting success can be as high as the sky. I will say that regarding the CTE program, the way in which slots are granted should be more competitive and more weight should be on academic achievement and teacher recommendations as it was originally done. I believe the program’s competitiveness has been watered down over the years beginning in school year 2019-2020.... Read 111 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 39

• Students 26,768

• Towson, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  256 reviews

Senior: I go to Perry Hall High School, but I've gone to Baltimore County Public Schools my whole life, and from at least what I've seen, they're doing a great job! I have classmates of all religions and ethnicity, there's a multitude of clubs already and if you feel there's one that should be added you're free to make one! There also several different types of classes for each subject so everyone has a place where they need to be instead of making large groups of students who may not be in the same capabilities-it's just a great school district for students. The only thing is that bathrooms could be a little nicer and we could be given more money to help some more departments in our schools that aren't top priority like art programs!... Read 256 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 178

• Students 111,084

• Salisbury, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  34 reviews

Senior: I love everything thing about Wihi. The teachers are great, I’m glad they’re aren’t any stairs, and the work is intriguing. The only thing I would change about Wihi is the bathroom. They flood too often and they smell horrible! Other than that Wihi is a great school.... Read 34 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 25

• Students 14,354

• Denton, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Junior: North Caroline high school of Caroline county is like any other school, besides that we're a poor school. We make due with what we have as a community. What makes my school different is the students and teachers/ staff. There maybe, some knuckle head students. Out of that are some great students. An some teachers can be a grouch. But the teachers really love and care about their students and fun, and outgoing. Overall the school is great especially in academics and sports. I just wish the school had more funds.... Read 9 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 10

• Students 5,553

• Elkton, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.34 out of 5  56 reviews

Senior: I love Cecil County schools and how teachers are so caring and willing to not only do their best at making classes fun, but creating valuable relationships with students!... Read 56 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 29

• Students 14,718

• Cumberland, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.95 out of 5  22 reviews

Alum: The school was amazing and changed my life for the better. Ms saku was the best! Everyone was super sweet and helpful... Read 22 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 22

• Students 8,075

• Oakland, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: Overall my experience at a Garrett County school has been very good. The teachers are very friendly and They teach well. The reason that I ranked it four out of five stars is because although the teachers are well rounded, some classes that I would like to take are not offered at my school.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 12

• Students 3,648

• Rock Hall, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: I quite enjoy the teachers who are fully passionate about their students and teaching! We have some amazing administrators as well. I've gone through two elementary schools and now a middle school with my children, but also myself went to these public schools, and I feel they are great! If you have any issues, speak up, BOE (board of education) will hear you out!... Read 8 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,812

• Cambridge, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3 out of 5  6 reviews

Senior: Dorchester county public schools are small but they get the job done. Every year was different and there were new things to learn. I liked some classes better then others but all together none of them were terrible.... Read 6 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 13

• Students 4,662

• Upper Marlboro, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  591 reviews

Senior: During all my time and educational evolution at Prince George's campus I have learn to cop with the adversities and different cultures going from a latin house hold to an caucasian and african american culture I can tell it is beautiful the impressive diversity in culture and opportunities for all students as matter to provide grow in education and professionalism I like Prince George's county public school because of the culinary opportunities it offers, educational programs, college readiness chance and many beneficial school courses to advance into more development in youngs. For a future I will love to see changes such as better educational standards that can be applied to the real work such as tax- work , and basic everyday use intelligence.... Read 591 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 209

• Students 131,646

• Baltimore, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.2 out of 5  135 reviews

Senior: I have been lucky enough to attend some of the best schools in Baltimore City since we don’t have to attend zoned schools, however city schools are drastically underfunded. Funding is made up from local revenue from property tax and money from the state, which has remained flat in regards to inflation since 2008. Due to the levels of concentrated poverty in Baltimore, we get very little local funding compared to wealthier counties. This leaves us at a major deficit and it shows through our lack of properly maintained school buildings. Many lack proper heat, fully functioning bathrooms and technology. Despite all this, there are some truly great schools in the district that you’re able to get into if you maintain good grades that will afford you priceless opportunities to follow your passions, which I am genuinely grateful for.... Read 135 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 159

• Students 77,856

• Westover, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 2.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Junior: Somerset County is a wonderful small county on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I recently transferred to Washington Academy and High School in the middle of my sophomore year from a big county and they made me feel like I belonged here. It seems like a family and I absolutely love it. The one thing I would love to change is the ability to have more resources that are practical and have more opportunities in our Technical School to appeal to the students at the high schools.... Read 6 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 9

• Students 2,818