Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High

Public Grades 9-12

196^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 220 Maryland High Schools

Better than 11% of Maryland high schools

Summary

Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, serving 1,757 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, which is ranked 24th out of 25 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Maryland high schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's performance is concerning, with low graduation rates ranging from 68.6% to 82.9% in recent years, significantly higher dropout rates between 3.1% and 19.0%, and extremely high chronic absenteeism rates between 48.7% and 81.3%. Academically, Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High consistently performs well below the state and district averages in proficiency rates for MCAP/Mathematics, MCAP/English Language Arts, and MCAP/Algebra I. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 3.9% of students were proficient or better in MCAP/Mathematics, compared to 12.6% for the district and 26.5% for the state.

While Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High is a vocational-technical high school, the data suggests that the school is struggling to provide a quality education and prepare students for success, regardless of its vocational emphasis. Nearby schools, such as Reginald F. Lewis High and Baltimore City College, perform significantly better, with higher proficiency rates and graduation rates. Addressing the school's high chronic absenteeism, dropout rates, and poor academic performance should be a top priority for the Baltimore City Public Schools district.

1,714

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,324

Per pupil spending ?

79.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3500 Hillen Road
Baltimore, MD 21218-2227

(410) 396-6496

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

87.4%

Hispanic:

9.3%

White:

1.3%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 38th percentile in 2009 → 11th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (12% vs 37% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (11th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 27 percentile points since 2009

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school12%

District avg21%

Maryland avg37%

196^th of 220

Maryland public high schools ?

Bottom 11%▼ down 8 pts since 2015

From bottom 19% (2015) to bottom 11% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 29High 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
2025	14.9	196 of 220	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.3	168 of 225	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	8.6	137 of 138	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	17.0	163 of 197	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	10.8	166 of 180	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	16.4	192 of 233	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	19.4	189 of 233	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	9.8	201 of 231	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	43.4	155 of 220	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	54.3	133 of 213	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2008	43.5	146 of 214	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.8	134 of 209	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	21.0	156 of 204	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	34.4	141 of 204	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2004	42.3	118 of 201	41.3%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Maryland (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts30%-21 vs state

Mathematics4%-23 vs state

Algebra I4%-17 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, December 22, 2022

Beware of Mervo. School not safe inside and outside. Principal has not control over school, don't care, too nice. My 11th grade daughter jumped by 3 12th graders and situation was poorly handled by Principal's female spokesperson, 2 Baltimore City School System ladies, botched and little detail given about fight, 11th grade administrator gave wrong info and lied. Meeting hurried up so 12 graders can return to school in 3 days. Close Quote

Schools Near Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MCAP Mathematics (2025)				MCAP English Language Arts (2025)					MCAP Algebra I (2025)	MCAP Science (2025)	MCAP Social Studies (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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	MCAP Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
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%)	14.9	196^th of 220 public high schools	10.9%					(n/a)				3.9				29.6	29.6	3.9			$20,324	$3,835	$16,489
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%)	65.1	30^th of 220 public high schools	86.4%		60.4	31^st of 146 public high schools	78.8%	1				25.1				75.7	75.7	25.1			$18,604	$4,067	$14,537
The Reach! Partnership School	Public	9-12	2555 Harford Road	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2291	724	46	15.7	84.4%	12 (1.7%)	642 (88.7%)	57 (7.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.6%)	6 (0.8%)	12.8	207^th of 220 public high schools	5.9%					(n/a)				9.0				18.6	18.6	9.0			$24,125	$5,014	$19,111
Baltimore Design School	Public	6-12	1500 Barclay Street	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2311	503	39	13.0	75.9%	26 (5.2%)	435 (86.5%)	25 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.0%)	53.4	60^th of 220 public high schools	72.7%		37.3	94^th of 146 public high schools	35.6%	34	2.7	15.5	10.6	9.8	22.2	35.1	48.6	78.2	47.3	11.2	17.6	21.6	$21,049	$4,384	$16,665
City Neighbors High	Public, Charter	9-12	5609 Sefton Avenue	Baltimore	21214	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-2119	416	31	13.6	70.7%	26 (6.3%)	355 (85.3%)	22 (5.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	9 (2.2%)	27.5	142^nd of 220 public high schools	35.5%					(n/a)				1.1				50.5	50.5	1.1			$27,454	$5,638	$21,816
Eager Street Academy	Public	6-12	926 Greenmount Avenue	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 234-1815	45	10	4.5	57.8%	1 (2.2%)	40 (88.9%)	1 (2.2%)	1 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (4.4%)								(n/a)								3.7	3.7				$45,237	$8,592	$36,645
National Academy Foundation	Public	6-12	540 N Caroline Street	Baltimore	21205	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-1594	801	60	13.3	64.0%	11 (1.4%)	316 (39.5%)	457 (57.1%)	6 (0.7%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.7%)	13.5	203^rd of 220 public high schools	7.7%					(n/a)	0.0	0.0	8.1	5.0	5.6	10.6	10.8	9.9	9.4	7.2	1.6	22.4	$25,006	$4,437	$20,569
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%)	21.9	162^nd of 220 public high schools	26.4%		10	144^th of 146 public high schools	1.4%	18	0.0	4.8	2.5	4.5	13.2	30.2	19.5	40.4	32.4	6.0	2.7	2.6	$23,129	$4,571	$18,558
Reginald F. Lewis High	Public	9-12	6401 Pioneer Drive	Baltimore	21214	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 545-1746	481	30	16.0	79.8%	11 (2.3%)	398 (82.7%)	66 (13.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	19.1	171^st of 220 public high schools	22.3%					(n/a)				2.6				39.0	39.0	2.6			$28,737	$4,607	$24,130
Achievement Academy at Harbor City High	Public	9-12	2201 Pinewood Avenue	Baltimore	21214	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6241	314	18	17.9	89.5%	2 (0.6%)	291 (92.7%)	18 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	11.6	211^th of 220 public high schools	4.1%					(n/a)				0.0				25.8	25.8	0.0			$42,618	$7,080	$35,537

Frequently Asked Questions about Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High

Is Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High a good school?

Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High ranks in the bottom 10.9% of Maryland high schools.

What schools feed into Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High?

How many students attend Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,714 students attended Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High.

What is the racial makeup of Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High?

Students at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High are 87% African American, 9% Hispanic, 1% White, 1% Asian.

What district is Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

Rate Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MDMaryland High School Rankings

MDMaryland District Rankings

Schools in Baltimore, MD

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High!

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.