Public School Review has released its rankings of Maryland’s top public high schools for the 2026-2027 school year, with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) claiming the top two positions in the state and placing eight schools among the top 25 (top 25 rankings below).
Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda earned the No. 1 ranking, followed by Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville at No. 2. Winston Churchill High School in Potomac tied for third, while Poolesville High School ranked seventh.
Four additional MCPS schools made the top 25, including Walter Johnson High School (No. 14), Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (No. 15), and Richard Montgomery High School (No. 23). Combined with the schools ranked above, Montgomery County accounted for seven of the state’s top 25 public high schools.
According to Public School Review, the rankings are based on schools’ combined math and reading proficiency test scores. The organization analyzes public data from federal and state education agencies to compare schools with one another and with statewide averages.
Public School Review, which has operated since 2003, describes its platform as a resource for families evaluating educational opportunities, particularly those considering relocating or comparing schools.
Whitman, the state’s highest-ranked school, recorded math proficiency of 85% and reading proficiency of 90%. Wootton followed with 83% math proficiency and 89% reading proficiency. Churchill, which tied for third alongside Eastern Technical High School and River Hill High School, recorded 84% math proficiency and 87% reading proficiency.
All seven Montgomery County schools in the top 25 received a 10/10 rating from Public School Review. The complete top 25 rankings, including ties, are listed below:
1. Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
2. Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville)
3. Eastern Technical High School (Essex), tied
3. River Hill High School (Clarksville), tied
3. Winston Churchill High School (Potomac), tied
6. Centennial High School (Ellicott City)
7. Poolesville High School (Poolesville)
8. Western School of Technology (Catonsville)
9. Mount Hebron High School (Ellicott City)
10. Urbana High School (Ijamsville)
11. Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC (Upper Marlboro), tied
11. Marriotts Ridge High School (Marriottsville), tied
13. Severna Park High School (Severna Park)
14. Walter Johnson High School (Bethesda)
15. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Bethesda)
16. Glenelg High School (Glenelg)
17. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore)
18. Hereford High School (Parkton)
19. Broadneck High School (Annapolis)
20. Howard High School (Ellicott City)
21. Towson High School (Towson)
22. Oakdale High School (Ijamsville)
23. Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville)
24. Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt)
25. George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology (Towson)
