| # | District | City | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Worcester County Public Schools | Worcester | 10/10 Excellent | 98th |
| #2 | Howard County Public School System | Ellicott City | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #3 | Howard County Public Schools | Howard | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #4 | Carroll County Public Schools | Carroll | 10/10 Excellent | 90th |
| #5 | Frederick County Public Schools | Frederick | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #6 | Calvert County Public Schools | Calvert | 9/10 Excellent | 82th |
| #7 | Montgomery County Public Schools | Montgomery | 8/10 Good | 78th |
| #8 | St. Marys County Public Schools | St. Marys | 8/10 Good | 74th |
| #9 | Queen Annes County Public Schools | Queen Annes | 8/10 Good | 70th |
| #10 | Harford County Public Schools | Harford | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #11 | Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Anne Arundel | 7/10 Good | 62th |
| #12 | Washington County Public Schools | Washington | 6/10 Average | 58th |
| #13 | Allegany County Public Schools | Allegany | 6/10 Average | 54th |
| #14 | Garrett County Public Schools | Garrett | 6/10 Average | 50th |
| #15 | Caroline County Public Schools | Caroline | 5/10 Average | 46th |
| #16 | Cecil County Public Schools | North East | 5/10 Average | 42th |
| #17 | Baltimore County Public Schools | Baltimore | 4/10 Below Average | 38th |
| #18 | Talbot County Public Schools | Talbot | 4/10 Below Average | 34th |
| #19 | Wicomico County Public Schools | Wicomico | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
| #20 | Charles County Public Schools | Charles | 3/10 Below Average | 26th |
| #21 | Dorchester County Public Schools | Dorchester | 3/10 Below Average | 22th |
| #22 | Kent County Public Schools | Kent | 2/10 Poor | 18th |
| #23 | Prince George's County Public Schools | Prince George's | 2/10 Poor | 14th |
| #24 | Somerset County Public Schools | Somerset | 2/10 Poor | 10th |
| #25 | Baltimore City Public Schools | Baltimore | 1/10 Poor | 6th |
Best School Districts in Maryland (2026)
This ranking covers 25 rated public school districts in Maryland, scored using Maryland MCAP 2024–25 state assessment data (with older EDFacts data for a few districts). Each district's reading and math proficiency rates are averaged, then ranked against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score.
A district's score reflects how its students perform on state assessments relative to same-state peers — it is not a direct measure of teaching quality, school culture, or individual student outcomes. Always visit schools, talk to local families, and contact districts directly before making decisions. Learn how ratings are calculated →
How to Use This List
Click any district name to see its zip code page and confirm your exact assignment with the district office. Boundaries don't always follow city or neighborhood lines — the zip code search gives you the most accurate result.