Best Public Schools in Zip Code 21015

The seven schools in zip code 21015 (Bel Air, MD) are part of the Harford County Public Schools district and serve students from elementary through high school, including an alternative school, with the area generally performing above the district's mid-tier state ranking.

Fountain Green Elementary stands out as the top academic performer, earning a 5-star rating with math proficiency (54.5%) nearly double the district average and strong ELA scores (70.5%). Harford Technical High is a standout for engagement, boasting the highest ELA proficiency (85%) and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (7.5%) in the zip code. Patterson Mill Middle School excels in advanced coursework, with Algebra I proficiency (49.1%) more than double the district average. In contrast, Harford Academy at Campus Hills serves a unique role as an alternative school with a very low student-teacher ratio (3.4:1) and high per-pupil spending ($109,420), reflecting its intensive support model.

A critical finding is the "math gap" in high schools: while elementary schools like Prospect Mill Elementary (44.2% math proficiency) excel, all three high schools—C. Milton Wright High (16.1%), Harford Technical High (21.5%), and Patterson Mill High School (12.1%)—fall below district and state averages. This suggests a systemic issue in secondary math instruction. Additionally, the Patterson Mill campus shows a contrast: the middle school is a math powerhouse, but the high school has the lowest math proficiency, indicating a potential disconnect in curriculum alignment. Overall, the area offers strong elementary options and a specialized technical high school, but families should investigate high school math support carefully.