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Francis Scott Key High

Q: Is Francis Scott Key High a good school?

Francis Scott Key High ranks 63 rd of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

63^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 227 Maryland High Schools

Better than 72% of Maryland high schools

Summary

Francis Scott Key High in Union Bridge, MD, is a public high school serving 906 students in grades 9-12 as part of the highly-rated Carroll County Public Schools district, which ranks 2nd out of 25 districts in Maryland. The school has shown a positive trajectory in state rankings, climbing from the 38th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 72nd percentile in 2025-2026, earning it a 4-star rating, though it faces significant challenges that set it apart from nearby schools.

The most critical issue at Francis Scott Key High is its exceptionally high chronic absenteeism rate of 31.2%, which is far above the district average of 19.5% and exceeds every comparable high school in the area, such as Century High (19.1%) and Linganore High (14.8%). This absenteeism crisis is likely a root cause of other challenges, including a higher dropout rate of 5.5% (compared to the district average of 3.2%) and a severe math proficiency gap. While the school's English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency is strong at 67%—nearly matching the district average of 67.5%—its math proficiency is only 15.5%, creating a 51.5 percentage point gap that is the largest among its peers. For context, Winters Mill High, the most similar school demographically, has a smaller math gap and a slightly lower dropout rate.

Francis Scott Key High also has the highest rate of economic disadvantage among comparable schools, with 41.28% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, compared to just 20.07% at Century High. Despite spending $17,520 per student—higher than the district average and more than schools like Manchester Valley High ($15,000)—outcomes in math and student retention have not yet matched the investment. However, the school's upward trend in state rankings suggests that recent initiatives may be gradually improving overall performance, making it a school to watch for families seeking a community-focused environment with strong ELA instruction but needing targeted support in math and attendance.

906

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,520

Per pupil spending ?

41.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3825 Bark Hill Road
Union Bridge, MD 21791-9225

(410) 751-3320

District: Carroll County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Francis Scott Key High:

Elementary:	Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary
	Runnymede Elementary
	Taneytown Elementary
Middle:	Northwest Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.4%

Hispanic:

6.8%

African American:

6.0%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Francis Scott Key High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 68th percentile in 2015 → 72nd in 2026

Strengths

✓93% graduate within 4 years

✓Above the Maryland median (72nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Mathematics scores 12 pts below the Maryland average

!Near the bottom of Carroll County Public Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school38%

District avg54%

Maryland avg38%

63^rd of 227

Maryland public high schools ?

Top 28%▲ up 16 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to top 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 8High Schools in the Carroll County Public Schools

2^nd of 25Carroll County 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	52.9	63 of 227	72.2%	★★★★☆
2025	45.9	84 of 220	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.1	62 of 146	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	40.9	79 of 127	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.6	104 of 225	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.4	65 of 138	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.0	68 of 197	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	54.3	68 of 180	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	54.5	101 of 233	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	60.6	74 of 233	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	73.6	74 of 231	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	57.5	97 of 185	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	63.2	85 of 187	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	55.5	98 of 183	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	74.6	62 of 220	71.8%	★★★★☆
2009	69.2	85 of 213	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	70.0	82 of 214	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	74.9	33 of 209	84.2%	★★★★☆
2006	70.5	43 of 204	78.9%	★★★★☆
2005	59.7	68 of 204	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2004	58.5	28 of 201	86.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts67%+15 vs state

Mathematics16%-12 vs state

Algebra I16%-6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Francis Scott Key High

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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 Algebra II (2026)	MCAP Geometry (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 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	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 Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Francis Scott Key High	Public	9-12	3825 Bark Hill Road	Union Bridge	21791	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3320	906	56	16.1	41.3%	719 (79.4%)	54 (6.0%)	62 (6.8%)	13 (1.4%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (6.0%)	52.9	63^rd of 227 public high schools	72.2%		45.9	84^th of 220 public high schools	61.8%	21		15.5		67.0	67.0	15.5				$17,520	$1,439	$16,081
Post Secondary Program	Public	12	495 South Center Street	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3620	36	4	9.0	25.0%	26 (72.2%)	3 (8.3%)	1 (2.8%)	4 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.6%)								(n/a)										$32,306	$2,986	$29,320
Westminster High	Public	9-12	1225 Washington Road	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3630	1,477	90	16.5	25.0%	1,104 (74.7%)	91 (6.2%)	157 (10.6%)	59 (4.0%)	2 (0.1%)	7 (0.5%)	53 (3.6%)	57.5	54^th of 227 public high schools	76.2%		52.1	67^th of 220 public high schools	69.5%	13		22.1		78.3	78.3	12.6		36.4		$17,466	$1,643	$15,824
Carroll County Career & Technology Center	Public	11-12	1229 Washington Road	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3669	0	40	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Winters Mill High	Public	9-12	560 Gorsuch Road	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 386-1500	1,156	64	18.1	37.1%	765 (66.2%)	92 (8.0%)	209 (18.1%)	35 (3.0%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	46 (4.0%)	47.1	83^rd of 227 public high schools	63.4%		50.1	72^nd of 220 public high schools	67.3%	11		7.7		65.9	65.9	7.7				$17,160	$1,385	$15,775
Flexible Student Support	Public	9-12	45 Kate Wagner Road	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3691	44			36.4%	30 (68.2%)	4 (9.1%)	7 (15.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (6.8%)								(n/a)										$13,020	$827	$12,193
Gateway School	Public	9-12	45 Kate Wagner Road	Westminster	21157	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3691	80	18	4.5	67.5%	54 (67.5%)	5 (6.3%)	9 (11.3%)	1 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (8.8%)	13.7	203^rd of 227 public high schools	10.6%		22.1	160^th of 220 public high schools	27.3%	43	0.0	2.3	0.0	28.1	20.4	4.4			7.1	$52,874	$1,647	$51,227
South Carroll High	Public	9-12	1300 West Old Liberty Road	Sykesville	21784	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 751-3575	933	53	17.6	20.8%	726 (77.8%)	32 (3.4%)	113 (12.1%)	27 (2.9%)	5 (0.5%)	3 (0.3%)	26 (2.8%)	63.2	36^th of 227 public high schools	84.1%		51.6	69^th of 220 public high schools	68.6%	33		7.0		78.4	78.4	7.0				$17,444	$1,627	$15,817
Linganore High	Public	9-12	12013 Old Annapolis Rd	Frederick	21701	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-3500	1,647	85	19.4	16.7%	1,167 (70.9%)	94 (5.7%)	209 (12.7%)	91 (5.5%)	5 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	78 (4.7%)	59.3	46^th of 227 public high schools	79.7%		59.1	41^st of 220 public high schools	81.4%	5		25.4		76.1	76.1	10.0	76.7	51.2		$15,217	$730	$14,487
Century High	Public	9-12	355 Ronsdale Road	Sykesville	21784	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 386-4400	1,101	59	18.6	20.1%	817 (74.2%)	65 (5.9%)	74 (6.7%)	90 (8.2%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	48 (4.4%)	74.6	16^th of 227 public high schools	93.0%		61.7	34^th of 220 public high schools	84.5%	18		13.5		84.1	84.1	13.6				$15,851	$1,408	$14,443

Frequently Asked Questions about Francis Scott Key High

What schools feed into Francis Scott Key High?

Francis Scott Key High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary
Elementary : Runnymede Elementary
Elementary : Taneytown Elementary
Middle : Northwest Middle

How many students attend Francis Scott Key High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 906 students attended Francis Scott Key High.

What is the racial makeup of Francis Scott Key High?

Students at Francis Scott Key High are 79% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% African American, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Francis Scott Key High a good school?

Francis Scott Key High ranks 63^rd of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Francis Scott Key High in?

Carroll County Public Schools

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresNewJul 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.