2024 Best School Districts in Maryland

• Ellicott City, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  264 reviews

Alum: Howard County Public Schools provide a great education experience especially when I was a student. I have been to two schools which were Howard and Long Reach High School. From my experience, the teachers and staff are interactive and will do their best in pathing you for success. I've had plenty of opportunities to grow my individual learning education, whether it'd be during class or after-school tutoring. Both schools showed a tremendous amount of school spirit with their sports and their club activities. The one thing that I would love to change is the school lunches. Although the nutritional value of the meals has been better, the overall quality of meals is not on par as I would have liked. School lunches and breakfast are fundamental tools for us students to regain our energy so we can continue to learn at our best. But for me, I found myself skipping lunch because the food was not appealing,... Read 264 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 77

• Students 57,325

• Rockville, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  610 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 610 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 209

• Students 158,231

• 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 6,803

• Westminster, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.99 out of 5  86 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 86 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 25,054

• Prince Frederick, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  46 reviews

Senior: The school system has both ups and downs. While most of the teachers there are truly great and engage with the students sometimes you have a teacher who does not teach in an accessible way. Another fact to touch on is all the problems with the buildings, between the faulty HVAC and the bathrooms constantly being shut down, it is a hindrance on students and teachers daily. But where there is bad there is also good. I’ve always gotten great help when it comes to my accessibility issues. I also have had some truly amazing teachers and admin. So the school system has both ups and downs just like any other place... Read 46 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 25

• Students 15,407

• Bel Air, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  125 reviews

Alum: My experience with Harford County Public Schools, through the opportunities given to me by my magnet program and advanced educational programs, felt consistently a lot better than what was experienced by others, and I wish these privileges could be provided to more people. In Churchville Elementary and Edgewood High School I was put in advanced programs. These programs had extremely tight communities, with a diversity of people with a passion for learning. The schools did very well to facilitate this community and encourage our learning with dedicated spaces. However, there were a lot of elements outside of that space that needs work. For example, Edgewood High School had a ton of issues with its cleaning and policies that did not facilitate learning, but instead discouraged courage. The schools have shown the ability to tend to students properly, but (especially with recently announced budget cuts) I worry for its ability to give it to all students.... Read 125 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 55

• Students 37,920

• Frederick, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  132 reviews

Senior: I attended 2 different Frederick county schools and had great experiences with both.all around I had great staff in both schools and I was able to enjoy a wonderful learning environment as well as progress as In individual in each aspect of sports,learning and relationships with my peers.One problem id say was very predominant in my high school was the use of drugs and alcohol whether it was in school or around but other than that my school was very diverse and I got to experience great people and great times and was given great opportunities that allowed me to advance in my academics like AP classes,college classes,CTC, and lynx experiences that allowed me to get a hands on feel of any career I was interested in and really pushed me to aim higher in my career.... Read 132 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 69

• Students 45,220

• Centreville, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  42 reviews

Senior: My teachers were all exceptional! They pushed when I needed and recognized my hard work which made me want to work even harder! Always did and asked for extra credit work and it paid off!... Read 42 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 14

• Students 7,440

• Leonardtown, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.55 out of 5  22 reviews

Senior: I have always felt safe at my school. One of the best parts is the community of students and staff there. I would have to say that the worst part is the bathrooms because they are never clean or worling quite right.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 28

• Students 17,480

• 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 B+

• Total schools 44

• Students 22,171

• Annapolis, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  280 reviews

Senior: Teaching staff in AACPS is great, with lots of experience and resources available. School properties are cleaned daily and don't have extreme damages, there is many construction projects throughout the school districts ranging from turf fields to building additions however they are typically done in the summer months. Water quality isn't great in some schools so it would be nice to see one of the upcoming projects be to replace the pipes in the schools. In addition to water quality, quite a few of the schools are over populated, though new schools are currently being built to combat this.... Read 280 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 126

• Students 83,163

• Towson, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  262 reviews

Senior: The district serves a diverse student population, with students from various cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds. Baltimore County Schools offer a range of academic programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. These may include gifted and talented programs, special education services, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and other initiatives aimed at promoting academic excellence.... Read 262 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 177

• Students 111,136

• Salisbury, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  35 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 35 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 25

• Students 14,664

• La Plata, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  116 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed going to Charles County schools. Each school provided me with the necessary tools to learn and maintain focus. I've been able to form close relationships with my peers, teachers, and guidance counselors and have taken part in a variety of activities.... Read 116 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 39

• Students 26,875

• 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 4,533

• Denton, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.7 out of 5  10 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 10 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 10

• Students 5,551

• Elkton, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.37 out of 5  59 reviews

Alum: I’ve gone to school in Cecil County for all of my education and it was great! I made many friends and was surrounded by staff that were always willing to help. It was a very comfortable environment and I felt like I belonged in the schools I attended. No doubt would I feel comfortable putting my future children through Cecil County Public Schools.... Read 59 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 29

• Students 14,780

• Cumberland, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  23 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 23 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 22

• Students 8,132

• 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 3,502

• 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 1,786

• 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 156

• Students 77,807

• 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 2,741

• 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 4,573

• Upper Marlboro, MD•

• School District

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  606 reviews

Alum: My overall experience at PGCPS was enriching and enjoyable. I started in the county as a 4th grader and attended public charter schools in the district. I was part of the first class to attend both public charter schools and was part of the first graduating class of one of the charter schools. My experience was like a private public school. Classrooms sizes were small and the teachers were very knowledgeable. The teachers cared about the students and seemed happy to be start and grow with students in a new school. I graduated in May 2020. In fortunately it was right in the middle of COVID, but the district did its best to make students feel important. While i was looking forward to prom and graduation parties and all those traditional senior year celebrations, i was happy that PGCPS did as much as it could to make the best out of a not so normal situation. Thank you PGCPS for caring and sharing and producing some of the country's best and brightest star leaders of tomorrow.... Read 606 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 206

• Students 128,770