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Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Public Grades 9-12

1^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 227 Maryland High Schools

Better than 100% of Maryland high schools

Summary

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is a public high school in Baltimore, MD, serving 1,632 students in grades 9-12, and it stands as a top-performing magnet school within the Baltimore City Public Schools district.

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is an academic powerhouse, ranking #1 out of 227 high schools in Maryland for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a remarkable achievement, especially when compared to nearby schools. For instance, Baltimore City College ranks #8, while schools like Forest Park High and Carver Vocational-Technical High rank near the bottom of the state. The school’s academic performance is exceptional: 95.8% of students are proficient in English Language Arts, nearly three times the state average, and 43% are proficient in math, well above the state average of 27.1%. Chronic absenteeism is also notably low at 18.7%, compared to the district average of 46.4% and rates exceeding 80% at some nearby schools like Renaissance Academy and Carver Vocational-Technical High.

What makes Poly’s success even more impressive is that it serves a diverse student body, with a free/reduced lunch rate of 47.79%, which is lower than many neighboring schools. The school has shown consistent improvement over the past decade, rising from #16 in the state to #1. Interestingly, Poly’s per-student spending ($18,309) is lower than that of many lower-performing schools, such as Renaissance Academy ($38,693), indicating that its success is driven by factors like a strong academic culture and effective teaching rather than just funding. For parents seeking a high-achieving, well-rounded high school in Baltimore, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is a standout choice.

1,632

Students ?

19.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,309

Per pupil spending ?

47.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1400 W Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209-4904

(410) 396-7026

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

58.5%

White:

20.6%

Hispanic:

13.7%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Baltimore Polytechnic Institute to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 93rd percentile in 2016 → 100th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (85% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Maryland high schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school85%

District avg23%

Maryland avg38%

1^st of 227

Maryland public high schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 6 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 31High Schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools

24^th of 25Baltimore City Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	92.5	1 of 227	99.6%	★★★★★
2025	87.8	3 of 220	98.6%	★★★★★
2024	84.5	4 of 146	97.3%	★★★★★
2023	80.9	4 of 127	96.9%	★★★★★
2022	83.6	9 of 225	96.0%	★★★★★
2021	82.0	8 of 32	75.0%	★★★★☆
2019	81.8	12 of 138	91.3%	★★★★★
2018	71.7	28 of 197	85.8%	★★★★☆
2017	83.3	13 of 180	92.8%	★★★★★
2016	79.6	16 of 233	93.1%	★★★★★
2015	78.3	15 of 233	93.6%	★★★★★
2014	79.0	46 of 231	80.1%	★★★★☆
2013	79.7	31 of 185	83.2%	★★★★☆
2012	82.3	16 of 187	91.4%	★★★★★
2011	87.4	4 of 183	97.8%	★★★★★
2010	87.1	4 of 220	98.2%	★★★★★
2009	86.3	2 of 213	99.1%	★★★★★
2008	86.9	2 of 214	99.1%	★★★★★
2007	84.7	5 of 209	97.6%	★★★★★
2006	87.6	2 of 204	99.0%	★★★★★
2005	88.3	1 of 204	99.5%	★★★★★
2004	67.9	3 of 201	98.5%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	86.2	4 of 14	71.4%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	80.2	9 of 31	71.0%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	84.2	2 of 9	77.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	82.6	1 of 11	90.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	82.9	7 of 35	80.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	89.3	2 of 40	95.0%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2021)95th percentile+20 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)91st percentile+16 vs school

Male (2021)80th percentile+5 vs school

Hispanic (2021)78th percentile+3 vs school

African American (2021)71st percentile-4 vs school

Female (2021)71st percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts96%+44 vs state

Mathematics43%+16 vs state

Algebra I43%+22 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 24, 2017

Poly affords its students a very rigorous learning experience that prepares them well for college. There are a number of clubs, sports and other activities to hone their gifts and talents or explore new interests all together. I'm grateful my three children were selected to attend such a great school at their dad's alma mater.
Husband c/o '85
Son 1 c/o '14 (Honors)
Son 2 c/o '18 (Ingenuity program)
Daughter c/o '21 (Wait list for Ingenuity) Close Quote

by a student on FaceBook
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I am a student at the great Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and in the graduating class of 2009. I take great pleasure in my school. We're taught by some of the best teachers Maryland has to offer and I'm so glad my parents told me about it. Even though my mother went to City, also known as the dump on the hump school. Even though we're not number one we're in the top 5 and we're the first public school on the list so in my eyes that is number one. Since public school are underfunded and we less resources than most county schools. So HEY POLY!!! :) Close Quote

Schools Near Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)				MCAP English Language Arts (2026)					MCAP Algebra I (2026)	MCAP Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute	Public	9-12	1400 W Cold Spring Lane	Baltimore	21209	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-7026	1,632	85	19.2	47.8%	336 (20.6%)	954 (58.5%)	224 (13.7%)	81 (5.0%)	4 (0.2%)	4 (0.2%)	25 (1.5%)	92.5	1^st of 227 public high schools	99.6%		87.8	3^rd of 220 public high schools	98.6%	2				43.0				95.8	95.8	43.0		$18,309	$4,276	$14,033
Western High	Public	9-12	4600 Falls Road	Baltimore	21209	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-7040	1,290	77	16.7	72.8%	29 (2.2%)	1,100 (85.3%)	143 (11.1%)	6 (0.5%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	7 (0.5%)	63.8	32^nd of 227 public high schools	85.9%		58.4	44^th of 220 public high schools	80.0%	12				27.4				71.4	71.4	27.4		$18,950	$4,418	$14,532
Academy for College and Career Exploration	Public	6-12	1300 W 36th Street	Baltimore	21211	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-7607	967	67	14.4	79.1%	85 (8.8%)	674 (69.7%)	171 (17.7%)	20 (2.1%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	12 (1.2%)	16.6	187^th of 227 public high schools	17.6%		21.9	162^nd of 220 public high schools	26.4%	25	0.0	4.7	2.2	4.8	11.6	21.4	41.7	31.2	28.9	6.6	11.8	$23,129	$4,571	$18,558
ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School	Public, Charter	6-12	2801 N Dukeland Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-1418	523	32	16.6	88.7%	5 (1.0%)	496 (94.8%)	18 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	16.3	190^th of 227 public high schools	16.3%		13.2	206^th of 220 public high schools	6.4%	16	2.6	0.0	2.5	1.4	13.2	18.6	7.5	36.1	20.9	1.0	0.0	$30,555	$7,626	$22,929
Bard High School Early College	Public	9-12	2801 N Dukeland Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-5040	459	31	15.0	65.4%	47 (10.2%)	387 (84.3%)	17 (3.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.1%)	59.2	47^th of 227 public high schools	79.3%		49.3	75^th of 220 public high schools	65.9%	28				17.2				70.6	70.6	17.2		$23,408	$5,220	$18,188
Coppin Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	2500 W North Avenue	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-5060	450	27	16.6	83.8%	0 (0.0%)	438 (97.3%)	8 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	32.4	133^rd of 227 public high schools	41.4%		23.5	156^th of 220 public high schools	29.1%	23				13.4				49.5	49.5	13.4		$23,883	$4,371	$19,512
Forest Park High	Public	9-12	3701 Eldorado Avenue	Baltimore	21207	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0753	1,024	63	16.2	75.1%	13 (1.3%)	803 (78.4%)	192 (18.8%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	9 (0.9%)	14.8	198^th of 227 public high schools	12.8%		15.2	195^th of 220 public high schools	11.4%	3				9.9				20.4	20.4	9.9		$22,667	$4,355	$18,312
Baltimore City College	Public	9-12	3220 The Alameda	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6557	1,470	79	18.6	52.1%	207 (14.1%)	986 (67.1%)	207 (14.1%)	23 (1.6%)	3 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	36 (2.4%)	83.9	8^th of 227 public high schools	96.5%		65.1	30^th of 220 public high schools	86.4%	22				46.7				85.0	85.0	46.7		$18,604	$4,067	$14,537
Carver Vocational-Technical High	Public	9-12	2201 Presstman Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0553	1,041	61	17.2	86.4%	23 (2.2%)	955 (91.7%)	59 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	13.5	205^th of 227 public high schools	9.7%		13.9	199^th of 220 public high schools	9.5%	6				2.4				28.2	28.2	2.4		$22,485	$5,615	$16,870
Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High	Public	9-12	3500 Hillen Road	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-6496	1,714	116	14.7	79.2%	22 (1.3%)	1,498 (87.4%)	159 (9.3%)	22 (1.3%)	5 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	5 (0.3%)	14.5	200^th of 227 public high schools	11.9%		14.9	196^th of 220 public high schools	10.9%	4				5.1				27.8	27.8	5.1		$20,324	$3,835	$16,489

Frequently Asked Questions about Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

What schools feed into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

What district is Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

Is Baltimore Polytechnic Institute a good school?

Yes! Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 1^st of 227 Maryland high schools.

How many students attend Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,632 students attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

What is the racial makeup of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

Students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute are 58% African American, 21% White, 14% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.