Best Public Schools in Smithsburg, MD

The city of Smithsburg, Maryland, is served by three public schools—Smithsburg Elementary, Smithsburg Middle, and Smithsburg High—all part of the Washington County Public Schools district, which ranks in the 60th percentile statewide. These schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a community where economic disadvantage is consistent, with about 43-46% of students receiving free or reduced lunch across all three schools.

Smithsburg Middle is the standout performer, achieving exceptional academic results that far exceed district and state averages. In the 2025-2026 school year, 46.1% of its students were proficient in math (vs. 29.3% district and 27.1% state) and 70.8% in English Language Arts (vs. 55% district and 51.7% state). The school has earned a 5-star rating and ranks in the 89th percentile or higher for three consecutive years. In contrast, Smithsburg High shows a stark split: it excels in ELA with 75.3% proficiency but struggles in math at just 20.8%, well below state averages. Smithsburg Elementary performs moderately, with a notable strength in 5th-grade science (43.1% proficient, beating the state's 32.4%).

Chronic absenteeism rises with grade level, from 13.5% at the elementary school to 25% at the high school, though all remain below the district average of 29%. Per-student spending is highest at the high school ($17,963) but does not correlate with top performance, as the middle school achieves better results with lower spending ($16,462). The middle school's success, particularly its 97.8% proficiency rate on the Algebra I exam, suggests effective instructional practices that the district could replicate to improve outcomes across all schools.