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Paint Branch High

Q: Is Paint Branch High a good school?

Paint Branch High ranks 114 th of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Paint Branch High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,038 students attended Paint Branch High.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Paint Branch High?

Students at Paint Branch High are 58% African American, 27% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 3% White, 2% Two or more races.

Public Grades 9-12

114^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 227 Maryland High Schools

Better than 50% of Maryland high schools

Summary

Paint Branch High in Burtonsville, MD, is a large high school serving 2,038 students in grades 9-12 within the highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools district, where over half of its students qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Paint Branch presents a striking contrast in academic performance. Its English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rate of 55.4% is a clear strength, nearly matching the district average and outperforming nearby schools like John F. Kennedy High (42.4%) and James Hubert Blake High (47.9%). However, mathematics proficiency is a critical weakness at just 7.1%, dramatically below the district average of 36.9% and the second-lowest among its comparison group. This 48-percentage-point gap between ELA and math is the largest in the area, suggesting a specific challenge with math instruction rather than a general lack of student ability. The school also faces a chronic absenteeism rate of 25.9%, which is higher than the district average but notably lower than many peers, such as Montgomery Blair High (33.7%) and Springbrook High (37.2%).

Despite these academic hurdles, Paint Branch maintains a stable graduation rate of 85.8%, close to the district average of 88.7% and significantly better than John F. Kennedy High (72.9%). The school spends $19,446 per student, higher than the district average, yet this investment has not fully translated into top-tier outcomes. Compared to top-performing MCPS schools like Sherwood High and Reservoir High, Paint Branch underperforms, but it significantly outperforms nearby Prince George's County Public Schools like Laurel High and High Point High in test scores, graduation rates, and attendance. This positions Paint Branch as a middle-ground school with notable strengths in ELA and graduation, but with substantial room for improvement in math.

2,038

Students ?

15.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,446

Per pupil spending ?

52.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

14121 Old Columbia Pike
Burtonsville, MD 20866-1799

(301) 388-9900

District: Montgomery County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Paint Branch High:

Elementary:	Burnt Mills Elementary
	Burtonsville Elementary
	Cannon Road Elementary
	Cloverly Elementary
	More...
	Cresthaven Elementary
	Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary
	Fairland Elementary
	Galway Elementary
	Greencastle Elementary
	Jackson Road Elementary
	JoAnn Leleck at Broad Acres Elementary
	Roscoe R Nix Elementary
	Stonegate Elementary
	Westover Elementary
	William Tyler Page Elementary
Middle:	Benjamin Banneker Middle
	Briggs Chaney Middle
	Francis Scott Key Middle
	White Oak Middle

Racial breakdown:

African American:

57.9%

Hispanic:

26.7%

Asian:

9.4%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Paint Branch High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 27th percentile in 2013 → 50th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 23 percentile points since 2013

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (32% vs 38% meeting standards)

!Mathematics scores 20 pts below the Maryland average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school32%

District avg47%

Maryland avg38%

114^th of 227

Maryland public high schools ?

Top 50%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

19^th of 26High Schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools

8^th of 25Montgomery 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	39.3	114 of 227	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	44.1	89 of 220	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.9	88 of 225	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.1	85 of 138	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	56.5	62 of 197	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.2	76 of 180	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	47.4	123 of 233	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	53.6	105 of 233	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.3	125 of 231	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	34.5	135 of 185	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	51.2	112 of 187	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	49.0	110 of 183	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	56.3	129 of 220	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	58.0	123 of 213	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	56.4	130 of 214	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	57.8	94 of 209	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	55.4	92 of 204	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2005	54.9	82 of 204	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2004	52.2	63 of 201	68.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	17.9	31 of 31	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Female (2021)<1st percentile

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts55%+4 vs state

Mathematics7%-20 vs state

Algebra I7%-14 vs state

4.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a student
Tuesday, November 19, 2019

It has a very good medical program and it has the nicest students/staff/peers. The school is very organized, also the school is very clean. Everyone is nice to students no matter what color you are, and the school is very big you will have all of your classes anywhere in the building. There are no boundaries set like Springbrook High School maybe Blake High School, that's why I recommend Paint Branch High School. GO PANTHERS!!!! Close Quote

by a student
Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Paint Branch has some wonderful teachers and students. Some kids are not serious about their education so that may be a factor in low test scores. The AP program is wonderful, it gives students a chance to experience how college classes may be like in the future. There are approximately 25+ students in each class. If students need extra help in each class it can get crowded during lunch in their respective classes. But there are programs such as National Honor Society (NHS) which offers the opportunity for students to tutor other students. Overall a very good school, needs work on the vending machines (junk food) but a good school. But with the completion of the new school, it will be more crowded and teachers may become swamped, as well as crowded hallways and buses. Close Quote

Schools Near Paint Branch 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)	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 (2025)	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 All Grades	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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Paint Branch High	Public	9-12	14121 Old Columbia Pike	Burtonsville	20866	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 388-9900	2,038	131	15.5	52.2%	67 (3.3%)	1,180 (57.9%)	544 (26.7%)	191 (9.4%)	5 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (2.4%)	39.3	114^th of 227 public high schools	49.8%		44.1	89^th of 220 public high schools	59.5%	25	7.1	55.4	55.4	7.1			$19,446	$1,190	$18,256
High Point High	Public	9-12	3601 Powder Mill Rd	Beltsville	20705	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(301) 572-6400	3,012	171	17.6	95.6%	31 (1.0%)	386 (12.8%)	2,492 (82.7%)	87 (2.9%)	7 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (0.3%)	17.1	182^nd of 227 public high schools	19.8%		14.6	197^th of 220 public high schools	10.5%	15	6.2	31.8	31.8	6.2	0.0	9.5	$17,678	$1,383	$16,296
Springbrook High	Public, Magnet	9-12	201 Valley Brook Dr	Silver Spring	20904	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(240) 740-3800	1,838	119	15.3	59.9%	78 (4.2%)	671 (36.5%)	845 (46.0%)	188 (10.2%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (2.7%)	38.3	118^th of 227 public high schools	48.0%		40.5	104^th of 220 public high schools	52.7%	14	12.5	55.0	55.0	12.5			$18,609	$1,111	$17,497
James Hubert Blake High	Public	9-12	300 Norwood Rd	Silver Spring	20905	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-1400	1,960	114	17.1	53.7%	209 (10.7%)	762 (38.9%)	690 (35.2%)	203 (10.4%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	85 (4.3%)	30.1	144^th of 227 public high schools	36.6%		43.7	92^nd of 220 public high schools	58.2%	52	4.0	47.9	47.9	4.0			$18,053	$1,011	$17,042
Laurel High	Public, Magnet	9-12	8000 Cherry Ln	Laurel	20707	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(301) 497-2050	2,129	115	18.5	95.7%	56 (2.6%)	977 (45.9%)	1,002 (47.1%)	55 (2.6%)	6 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	31 (1.5%)	22.9	167^th of 227 public high schools	26.4%		31.5	133^rd of 220 public high schools	39.5%	34	8.8	41.0	41.0	8.8		8.1	$17,553	$1,036	$16,517
Reservoir High	Public	9-12	11550 Scaggsville Rd	Fulton	20759	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 888-8850	1,597	108	14.8	26.2%	362 (22.7%)	522 (32.7%)	306 (19.2%)	295 (18.5%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	103 (6.4%)	52.2	65^th of 227 public high schools	71.4%		47.7	79^th of 220 public high schools	64.1%	14	21.5	73.2	73.2	6.4	28.3		$17,951	$816	$17,135
MCPS Transitions School	Public	12	11721 Kemp Mill Rd	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-5900	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
John F. Kennedy High	Public, Magnet	9-12	1901 Randolph Rd	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(240) 740-0100	1,880	126	14.9	56.0%	80 (4.3%)	405 (21.5%)	1,277 (67.9%)	87 (4.6%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (1.4%)	25.2	162^nd of 227 public high schools	28.6%		17.7	182^nd of 220 public high schools	17.3%	20	8.7	42.4	42.4	8.7			$20,159	$1,338	$18,821
Sherwood High	Public	9-12	300 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd	Sandy Spring	20860	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-8110	1,675	103	16.3	22.4%	752 (44.9%)	306 (18.3%)	324 (19.3%)	188 (11.2%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	98 (5.9%)	67.8	26^th of 227 public high schools	88.5%		70.2	25^th of 220 public high schools	88.6%	1	10.3	79.3	79.3	10.3			$20,093	$1,387	$18,706
Montgomery Blair High	Public, Magnet	9-12	51 University Blvd E	Silver Spring	20901	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(240) 740-7200	3,266	199	16.4	43.6%	706 (21.6%)	806 (24.7%)	1,240 (38.0%)	333 (10.2%)	3 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	149 (4.6%)	62	39^th of 227 public high schools	82.8%		52.6	65^th of 220 public high schools	70.5%	26	7.9	73.0	73.0	7.9			$17,726	$981	$16,745

Frequently Asked Questions about Paint Branch High

Is Paint Branch High a good school?

Paint Branch High ranks 114^th of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Paint Branch High in?

Montgomery County Public Schools

What schools feed into Paint Branch High?

What is the racial makeup of Paint Branch High?

Students at Paint Branch High are 58% African American, 27% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 3% White, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Paint Branch High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,038 students attended Paint Branch High.

Rate Paint Branch High!

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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.