Best Public Schools in Zip Code 20736

The five public schools in zip code 20736 (Owings, MD) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and are part of the highly-rated Calvert County Public Schools district, which ranks 3rd in Maryland. This analysis covers two elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, providing a comprehensive look at educational options in this suburban community.

Mount Harmony Elementary stands out as the top academic performer in the area, ranking in the 92nd percentile of all Maryland elementary schools with exceptional math proficiency (68% vs. 27.1% state average). In contrast, Windy Hill Elementary is the lowest-ranked school in the zip code (78th percentile) despite spending the most per student ($18,122), highlighting that resource allocation alone doesn't guarantee results. The middle schools are both strong, with Northern Middle ranking in the 92nd percentile and excelling in advanced math coursework, while Windy Hill Middle ranks in the 90th percentile. Northern High posts the highest ELA proficiency in the zip code (82.3%), far above the state average, but its math proficiency (28.7%) is only slightly above the state average, creating an uneven academic profile.

Key takeaways for parents include the strong "Northern" feeder system from Northern Middle to Northern High, which shows consistent high performance. Chronic absenteeism is lowest at Northern Middle (10.8%) and highest at Northern High (17.1%). The data reveals a clear performance gap between the two elementary schools, with Mount Harmony outperforming Windy Hill in every subject, correlating with lower economic disadvantage rates. Both middle schools demonstrate exceptional strength in accelerating students into advanced math courses, with Geometry proficiency rates dramatically exceeding state averages.