Best Public Schools in Zip Code 21214

Zip code 21214 in Baltimore, Maryland, is home to seven schools within the Baltimore City Public Schools district, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across a mix of elementary/middle and high schools.

The standout high-performing school in the area is City Neighbors Hamilton, a K-8 school that earned a 3-star rating and leads the zip code in both math (24.3% proficient) and English Language Arts (53.2% proficient) while boasting a low chronic absenteeism rate of 14.3%. In stark contrast, Achievement Academy at Harbor City High struggles significantly, with the lowest graduation rate (8.0%), the highest dropout rate (55.2%), and the highest spending per student ($42,618), illustrating that more money does not guarantee better results. The two "City Neighbors" schools present a paradox: while City Neighbors Hamilton excels academically, City Neighbors High has the lowest math proficiency (1%) yet achieves the highest graduation rate (94.9%) in the zip code, suggesting a strong focus on supporting students to completion. Hamilton Elementary/Middle and Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle are two PK-8 schools with different outcomes; Hamilton has higher ELA proficiency (45.1% vs. 30.8%) and lower poverty rates (61.4% vs. 74.1%).

Overall, the zip code averages 11.2% math proficiency and 37.2% ELA proficiency, both well below state averages, while the average graduation rate for high schools is 60.4%. Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue, averaging 40.7% across the area, with Reginald F. Lewis High reaching an alarming 85.8%. The data clearly shows that schools with lower absenteeism, like City Neighbors Hamilton and Hamilton Elementary/Middle, perform better academically, making attendance a key factor for parents to consider when evaluating schools in this area.