If you're moving to Maryland and researching public schools, the Maryland School Report Card is one of the most useful tools available. Published by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), it provides official information about school ratings, academic performance, test scores, and other measures that can help you compare Maryland public schools.
When my husband and I moved from California to Maryland in 2007, we arrived with two little ones, two dogs, and a whole new state to get to know! I remember how much there was to learn about our new community. And when you have children, understanding the local schools adds another layer to an already big decision.
Now, as a Maryland Realtor, I know how often school questions come up when people are exploring where to live. Which schools serve a particular address? How do different schools compare? And what do those ratings actually tell you?
Fortunately, Maryland's official School Report Card provides a wealth of information. But understanding what all those numbers, percentages, and star ratings mean is just as important as knowing where to find them.
Here's how to use the Maryland School Report Card to make more informed decisions as you research schools and communities throughout Maryland.
What Is the Maryland School Report Card?
The Maryland School Report Card is an official state resource that provides information about public school performance across Maryland's 24 public school districts, including all 23 counties and Baltimore City.
Unlike third-party school ranking websites, Maryland's report cards use information collected through the state's public school accountability system.
Each report card provides a detailed look at a school's performance, including academic achievement, student growth, attendance, access to a well-rounded curriculum, and other measures. High school report cards also include graduation and postsecondary readiness information.
You can explore information at the state, district, and individual school levels.
Start here: Maryland School Report Card — Official MSDE Website
How to Find a Maryland Public School Report Card
Finding a school's report card is straightforward.
- Visit the official Maryland School Report Card website.
- Search for a school by name or explore schools within a particular district.
- Select the school to view its report card.
- Review the school's summary scores and individual performance measures.
- Explore additional details and compare information across schools you're researching.
Not sure which public school serves a particular property? Start by confirming its school assignment with the appropriate school district.
Our Maryland Guide to Schools includes official school locator resources for every Maryland county and Baltimore City.
Understanding Maryland School Star Ratings
One of the most recognizable features of the Maryland School Report Card is its five-star rating system.
Maryland assigns schools a star rating based on their performance across multiple accountability measures. The rating is intended to provide a simplified summary of school performance rather than reflect a single test score.
However, the star rating is only one part of the report card.
According to MSDE's 2025 accountability overview, Maryland provides three important summary measures:
1. Total Earned Points Percent
Schools earn points based on their performance across applicable accountability measures.
The Total Earned Points Percent represents the percentage of available points a school earned.
This provides a more detailed numerical picture of overall accountability performance than the star rating alone.
2. Star Rating
The star rating translates the school's Total Earned Points Percent into a simplified five-star scale.
While the rating makes it easier to see a school's overall accountability results, it doesn't explain which individual measures contributed to that result.
Two schools with the same number of stars may have different academic strengths, student growth patterns, or other performance characteristics.
3. Percentile Rank
A school's percentile rank provides information about its performance relative to other schools within Maryland's accountability system.
This offers another perspective when reviewing school performance, although comparisons should account for differences in school levels and applicable measures.
My advice? Don't stop at the stars! Reviewing all three summary measures, along with the underlying data, provides a more complete understanding of a school's reported performance.
What Does Maryland Measure in Its School Report Cards?
Maryland's accountability system evaluates several aspects of school performance. The measures that apply can differ between elementary, middle, and high schools.
Here's what to look for as you explore individual school report cards.
Academic Achievement
Academic achievement measures how students perform on Maryland's statewide assessments.
These include assessments in English language arts and mathematics, with science achievement also included for applicable elementary and middle school accountability measures.
Test results can help you understand how students are performing against state academic expectations.
However, academic achievement represents only one part of the school's overall performance picture.
Academic Growth
Academic growth focuses on student progress over time.
This is particularly useful because it adds context beyond a single year's assessment results.
For example, achievement data may show where students are performing academically, while growth measures help illustrate how their performance is changing.
Looking at both measures can provide a more meaningful perspective than reviewing test scores alone.
Access to a Well-Rounded Curriculum
Maryland's accountability system also considers student access to a well-rounded education.
Depending on the school level, the relevant indicators examine access to coursework and the earning of credits.
These measures help broaden the picture of school performance beyond standardized testing.
English Language Proficiency
For English learners, Maryland measures progress toward English language proficiency.
This indicator examines how students receiving English language development services are progressing toward established proficiency expectations.
It is another component of the state's broader accountability framework.
Chronic Absenteeism and School Quality
Attendance is another important consideration when reviewing Maryland school performance.
Chronic absenteeism measures the extent to which students miss a significant portion of the school year.
Maryland's school quality measures also include school survey information.
These indicators provide additional context about student experiences and school conditions beyond academic assessment results.
Graduation Rates and Postsecondary Readiness
High school report cards include additional measures related to student outcomes.
Graduation rates provide information about students completing high school, while postsecondary readiness measures examine preparation for opportunities after graduation.
If you're researching Maryland high schools, these indicators are particularly useful to review alongside academic achievement and available course offerings.
How to Compare Maryland Public School Performance
Maryland School Report Cards make it possible to explore performance information using a consistent statewide reporting system.
But comparing schools involves more than looking for the highest star rating.
Here are a few ways to make your research more meaningful.
Look beyond the overall rating. Review individual performance measures to understand what contributes to each school's results.
Consider academic achievement and growth together. These measures provide different perspectives on student performance.
Explore multiple years of information. When historical data is available, reviewing trends can provide additional context. Keep in mind that changes in accountability measures or reporting methods can affect comparisons between years.
Research academic programs. School report cards are valuable, but they don't necessarily tell you everything about available electives, specialty programs, extracurricular activities, or student services.
Contact the school directly. If a particular program, course, or service is important to you, the school or district is the most reliable source for current availability and enrollment requirements.
And remember, a school rating is a summary of specific performance measures—not a complete assessment of every student's educational experience.
What Do Maryland School Report Cards Mean for Homebuyers?
One thing I always encourage homebuyers to understand is the difference between school assignment and school performance.
These are two separate pieces of research, and both are important when you're exploring a new area.
Which Schools Serve the Property?
School attendance boundaries determine which public schools are generally assigned to a particular residential address, subject to district policies and applicable programs.
Boundaries and assignments can change, and some educational programs have separate application or enrollment requirements.
Before purchasing a home, verify the property's current school assignment directly with the appropriate school district.
Don't rely exclusively on school information displayed in real estate listings or third-party websites.
Our Maryland Guide to Schools — Find Schools by Address provides links to official district resources throughout Maryland.
How Are Those Schools Performing?
Once you've confirmed the schools associated with an address, the Maryland School Report Card can help you research their reported academic performance and accountability measures.
You can then explore additional information, including curriculum, specialty programs, school policies, and other educational resources.
Taking these steps separately helps you verify the correct schools before evaluating the information available about them.
Are Maryland School Report Cards Better Than Third-Party School Ratings?
You may have encountered school ratings on websites such as GreatSchools, Niche, or other online school directories.
These resources can offer additional perspectives, but their rating systems, methodologies, and available data may differ.
The Maryland School Report Card is particularly useful because it provides official state-reported information and explains the measures used within Maryland's accountability system.
Rather than treating any single rating as a definitive answer, consider reviewing the underlying information and understanding how each source evaluates schools.
The more you understand about the data, the more useful it becomes.
The Bottom Line: Use School Ratings as a Starting Point
Having made a cross-country move myself, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to research an unfamiliar area. There are so many things to consider, and schools can be an important part of that research.
Maryland School Report Cards are a wonderful resource, but I encourage you to look beyond the overall rating. Explore academic achievement, student growth, attendance, curriculum access, graduation outcomes, and other measures that matter to you.
Combine that information with verified school assignments, district resources, and conversations with individual schools.
The goal isn't simply to find a school with the highest number of stars. It's to have reliable information that helps you understand your options and make informed decisions about your move.
And if you're just beginning to explore Maryland, my Maryland Guide to Schools is a great place to start. I've brought together official school resources, district information, and practical guides to help make your research a little easier.
Helpful Maryland School Resources
- Maryland School Report Card — Official MSDE Website
- 2025 Maryland Report Card: Accountability System Overview (PDF)
- Maryland Guide to Schools — Explore Schools, Districts & Resources
- Find Maryland Public Schools by Address
- 7 Questions to Ask on a School Tour When Moving to Maryland
Thinking About a Move to Maryland?
Researching schools is just one piece of finding the right place to call home. Having made the move to Maryland myself, I know how many questions come up along the way!
Whether you're relocating from out of state or exploring a move within Maryland, I'm happy to help you navigate the local real estate market and find a place that works for you.
Let's connect! Give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to hear what you're planning.
