Total enrollment
77,202
-3,789 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
Baltimore city
Maryland · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Baltimore city clocks in around 77,341 students across 156 schools (109 elementary, 8 middle, and 35 high).
7-year change in Baltimore city
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
152
-20 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
7%
was 8%
% Hispanic
20%
was 10%
% Black
70%
was 80%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
156
2 districts
Enrollment
77,341
NCES CCD
Median income
$62,177
Below Maryland avg
Free/reduced lunch
73.7%
Above Maryland avg
Elementary
109
50,815 students
Middle
8
2,424 students
High
35
23,935 students
Combined / other
4
167 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Baltimore City Public Schools
76,946 students · 2 districts in Baltimore city
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Baltimore city residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
36.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.5%
civilian labor
Median age
36
20.9% under 18
Test scores in Baltimore city
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 140 schools ranked. Maryland state average: 51.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Baltimore School for the Arts· 93.1%
- Baltimore Polytechnic Institute· 92.3%
- Baltimore City College· 75.6%
- Hampden Elementary/Middle· 73.0%
- Medfield Heights Elementary· 70.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Holabird Academy· 10.0%
- Johnston Square Elementary· 10.0%
- Robert W. Coleman Elementary· 10.0%
- Westport Academy· 10.0%
- Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary· 10.1%
Cities in Baltimore city
About Baltimore city
In Maryland, Baltimore city is a high-population county of about 573,243 residents. 156 public schools across the county hosts about 77,341 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $62,177 a year, 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 15%. That income level is 36% below the Maryland median.
For a sense of the school types, Baltimore city consists of 109 elementary schools (50,815 students), 8 middle schools (2,424), 35 high schools (23,935), and 4 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Baltimore city is Baltimore City Public Schools, which alone enrolls about 76,946 students.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Baltimore city has fell 5% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 80,991 students to 77,202. Over that span, Baltimore city closed 20 schools, going from 172 to 152. On the demographic side, Black enrollment moved from 80% to 70% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Baltimore city discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
Baltimore city school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data