Top 10 Catholic Schools in Maryland in 2027

1. Georgetown Preparatory School

It ranks first as the only Jesuit boarding school in the United States and the oldest Catholic prep school in continuous existence, founded in 1789 in North Bethesda. Its all-boys college-prep model, resident faculty, and direct lineage to Georgetown University give it a national academic reputation few Maryland Catholic schools can match. Small class sizes and a live-in formation model reinforce rigor beyond a typical day school.

It suits families wanting boarding-school structure and Jesuit tradition, not a commuter day-school experience. Tuition and the all-boys, partly residential format trade away affordability and coeducation that lower-ranked schools offer. Compared to Loyola Blakefield below, it leans more elite and national in draw, while Loyola stays a Baltimore-area day school.

2. Loyola Blakefield

It ranks second as Maryland's oldest Jesuit day school, founded in 1852 in Towson, with a long record of sending graduates to selective colleges. Its all-boys Jesuit curriculum emphasizes classical humanities alongside STEM, and its Towson campus anchors it firmly in the Baltimore Catholic school hierarchy. The Jesuit order's direct oversight distinguishes it from diocesan-run schools further down this list.

It fits families in the Baltimore area seeking Jesuit rigor without a boarding commitment. Being all-boys and day-only means it trades away coeducation and residential formation that Georgetown Prep above offers. Compared to Archbishop Spalding below, it carries deeper Jesuit-specific tradition, while Spalding serves a broader, coed Archdiocese of Baltimore population.

3. Archbishop Spalding High School

It ranks third as one of the largest and most academically comprehensive coed Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, located in Severn. Its size supports a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, arts programs, and athletics uncommon at smaller single-sex schools. Being coeducational broadens its draw beyond the all-boys or all-girls institutions ranked above and below it.

It suits families wanting a full comprehensive high school experience rather than a boutique single-sex academy. Its size trades away the tight-knit, order-specific identity that Loyola Blakefield above carries. Compared to Calvert Hall below, Spalding offers coeducation and broader program breadth, while Calvert Hall keeps a narrower all-boys Christian Brothers focus.

4. Calvert Hall College High School

It ranks fourth as one of the largest all-boys Catholic high schools in the country, founded in 1845 in Towson under the Christian Brothers tradition. Its scale supports deep athletic and extracurricular programs, and its Christian Brothers lineage gives it a distinct pedagogical identity separate from the Jesuit schools ranked above. Long-standing alumni networks in the Baltimore area reinforce its regional standing.

It fits families wanting an all-boys Christian Brothers education with strong athletics. The single-sex, brother-led model trades away the coeducational breadth of Archbishop Spalding above. Compared to Mount St. Joseph below, both share Catholic brotherhood traditions and all-boys structure, but Calvert Hall's larger enrollment gives it broader program depth.

5. Mount St. Joseph High School

It ranks fifth as a Xaverian Brothers all-boys school in Baltimore, founded in 1876, known for a strong technical and vocational-adjacent curriculum alongside traditional college prep. The Xaverian Brothers charism emphasizes practical formation distinct from the Jesuit and Christian Brothers models above it on this list. Its Baltimore city location gives it a different community footprint than the suburban schools ranked higher.

It suits families seeking Xaverian Brothers formation with a blend of trade-adjacent and college-prep tracks. The all-boys, single-order model trades away coeducation and the larger scale of Calvert Hall above. Compared to Our Lady of Good Counsel below, Mount St. Joseph keeps an all-boys identity while Good Counsel serves a coed population in Montgomery County.

6. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

It ranks sixth as a coed Archdiocese of Washington school in Olney known for strong athletics, including a nationally recognized football program, alongside solid college-prep academics. Serving Montgomery County places it in a different Catholic school market than the Baltimore-area schools ranked above. Its coeducational, diocesan-run model gives a broader community draw than single-order boys' schools higher on this list.

It fits families in Montgomery County wanting a coed diocesan option with athletic strength. It trades away the specific religious-order formation of Mount St. Joseph above in favor of straight diocesan administration. Compared to Notre Dame Prep below, Good Counsel is coed while Notre Dame Prep remains all-girls under different sponsorship.

7. Notre Dame Preparatory School

It ranks seventh as an all-girls school in Towson sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, offering a college-prep curriculum built specifically around girls' education. Its single-sex model and religious-sisters sponsorship distinguish it from the coed and all-boys schools ranked above it. Its Towson location places it directly in the same Baltimore-area cluster as Loyola Blakefield and Calvert Hall.

It suits families specifically seeking an all-girls Catholic education in the Baltimore area. The single-sex model trades away the coeducational option that Our Lady of Good Counsel above provides. Compared to John Carroll School below, Notre Dame Prep keeps a single-sex, sisters-led identity while John Carroll serves a coed Harford County population.

8. John Carroll School

It ranks eighth as an independent Catholic coed school in Bel Air serving Harford County, a market distinct from the Baltimore City and Towson cluster of schools ranked above. Its independent (non-diocesan-run day-to-day) governance structure gives it more curricular flexibility than parish- or order-run schools higher on this list. It maintains a full college-prep and athletics program typical of the region's Catholic high schools.

It fits Harford County families wanting a coed Catholic option without a long commute to Baltimore or Towson. It trades away the deep single-order tradition of Notre Dame Prep above for broader independent governance. Compared to St. Mary's Ryken below, both serve county markets outside Baltimore, but John Carroll sits further north in Harford County.

9. St. Mary's Ryken High School

It ranks ninth as a coed school in Leonardtown formed through a merger of Xaverian Brothers and School Sisters of Notre Dame traditions, serving Southern Maryland's St. Mary's County. Its dual-order heritage and rural Southern Maryland location set it apart from the Baltimore-corridor schools ranked above. It remains the primary Catholic college-prep option for families in that part of the state.

It suits Southern Maryland families with no closer Catholic high school option. Its rural service area trades away the dense alumni and program scale that John Carroll above draws from a larger population base. Compared to St. Frances Academy below, Ryken serves a general county population while St. Frances holds a distinct historical mission in Baltimore City.

10. St. Frances Academy

It ranks tenth for its historical significance rather than program scale: founded in 1828, it is the oldest continuously operating Catholic school for Black students in the United States, run by the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore City. Its mission-driven, urban focus differs sharply from the suburban and county schools ranked above it. That distinct historical identity, not size or resources, is its defining feature.

It fits families prioritizing its historic mission and Baltimore City community role over large program breadth. Its smaller scale trades away the extensive athletics and AP course catalogs of St. Mary's Ryken above. As the list's most historically distinct entry, it closes the ranking on mission rather than measurable program size.

How we ranked these

Rankings weighted four measurable factors: average class size and student-teacher ratio, four-year college matriculation rate, tuition-to-financial-aid value, and accreditation standing with the relevant archdiocese (Baltimore or Washington) or the Maryland Association of Independent Schools. Extracurricular depth — campus ministry, service-hour programs, varsity athletics, and AP or IB course counts — served as tiebreakers. Every school needed at least a decade of continuous operation and current diocesan good standing to qualify for inclusion.

Ignored were self-reported "top school" badges, alumni testimonials, and social-media follower counts, none of which are independently audited. Sports championship history was excluded unless tied to actual matriculation outcomes, since a strong athletic program says nothing about classroom rigor. Founding date and legacy prestige were also set aside — a 175-year-old school with falling enrollment ranks below a newer school posting stronger current outcomes.

Related questions

Do Maryland Catholic schools require students to be Catholic?

No. Most Maryland Catholic schools enroll students of any faith, though all require participation in religion classes, theology coursework, and campus liturgies regardless of a student's personal beliefs. Some schools, particularly Jesuit and Xaverian-run ones, market heavily to non-Catholic families seeking values-based education, while a handful of parish-affiliated elementary schools give enrollment priority to registered parishioners of that specific parish.

What's the difference between Archdiocese of Baltimore and Archdiocese of Washington schools?

Geography mostly decides it: Baltimore oversees schools in the city and surrounding counties like Baltimore, Harford, and Anne Arundel, while Washington oversees Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Both archdioceses set curriculum standards and conduct accreditation reviews, but tuition, financial aid formulas, and BOOST voucher eligibility can differ slightly between the two, so families near the boundary should check both.

How much does Catholic high school tuition cost in Maryland?

Tuition at Maryland Catholic high schools generally runs from about $9,000 to $22,000 per year depending on the school, with day schools at the lower end and college-preparatory institutions with small class sizes at the higher end. Most schools publish tiered financial aid based on need, and many participate in Maryland's BOOST voucher program for qualifying lower-income families.

Are Maryland Catholic schools accredited?

Yes, reputable Maryland Catholic schools carry accreditation from either the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools or the Maryland Nonpublic School Approval process, layered on top of archdiocesan review. Accreditation confirms the school meets standards for curriculum, faculty credentials, and facilities, and it's required for a school's diploma to count toward NCAA eligibility and most college admissions processes.

Can financial aid make Catholic school comparable in cost to public school?

For lower-income families, yes — BOOST vouchers plus school-based need aid can cut effective tuition to a few thousand dollars a year. For middle-income families the math is less favorable, since aid formulas often taper quickly above certain income thresholds. The mistake buyers make is assuming sticker-price tuition is fixed rather than calling the admissions office to ask what aid is realistically available.

What's the average class size at these schools?

Most ranked Maryland Catholic high schools run 18-24 students per class, noticeably smaller than the 25-30 typical in Maryland public high schools. Smaller class size is one of the strongest predictors of the college matriculation outcomes these rankings weighted, since it correlates with more individual teacher attention and higher rates of AP or honors-track enrollment.

Do single-sex Catholic schools still exist in Maryland?

Yes, several long-standing single-sex Catholic high schools operate in Maryland, particularly in the Baltimore area, run by orders like the Xaverian Brothers or School Sisters of Notre Dame. Coeducational Catholic schools have become more common in newer suburban parishes, but single-sex options remain popular with families specifically seeking that model, and they often have longer waitlists as a result.

FAQ

What is the most academically rigorous Catholic high school in Maryland?

Rigor varies by measure, but schools with the highest AP course counts and strongest four-year college matriculation rates tend to be the older, established college-preparatory institutions in the Baltimore and Montgomery County corridors. Families should compare a specific school's AP offerings, average class size, and published matriculation list rather than relying on general reputation alone.

How do I apply to a Catholic school in Maryland?

Applications typically open in the fall for the following school year and require a completed application form, prior report cards, a teacher recommendation, and often a placement or entrance exam like the HSPT for high schools. Most schools also request a brief parent and student interview. Deadlines commonly fall between December and February, with rolling admission afterward if seats remain.

Is Catholic school tuition tax deductible in Maryland?

Tuition itself is not federally tax deductible, but Maryland allows use of 529 college savings plan funds for up to $10,000 per year in K-12 tuition at qualifying private schools, including Catholic schools. Some employers also offer dependent care or education assistance benefits that can apply. Families should consult a tax professional since rules shift year to year.

Do Maryland Catholic schools accept BOOST vouchers?

Many do. Maryland's BOOST program provides state-funded vouchers to eligible lower-income families to offset private school tuition, and a large share of participating schools statewide are Catholic. Availability and award amounts depend on annual state budget allocations, so families should confirm current-year eligibility and award size directly with the school's admissions or financial aid office.

What entrance exam do Maryland Catholic high schools require?

Most require the High School Placement Test (HSPT), typically administered on a designated testing Saturday in the fall for the following school year. Some schools also accept or require the Scholastic Testing Service exam instead. Test scores factor into both admission decisions and course-track placement, so students often benefit from basic test-prep familiarity beforehand.

Are these schools mostly day schools or do any board students?

The large majority of Maryland Catholic schools are day schools only. A small number, mostly serving broader regional or out-of-state populations, offer boarding options, though boarding Catholic schools are far more common in nearby Virginia and Pennsylvania than within Maryland itself. Families seeking boarding should confirm directly, since offerings change year to year.

Do Catholic schools in Maryland require uniforms?

Yes, nearly universally at both the elementary and high school level. Specific uniform requirements — colors, vendor, and formal-dress days — vary by school and are usually detailed in a family handbook distributed at enrollment. Some high schools relax the policy for upperclassmen or on designated spirit days.

What's the average acceptance rate at these schools?

Acceptance rates vary widely, from highly selective college-preparatory schools admitting well under half of applicants to parish-affiliated schools that accept nearly all students meeting basic academic and behavioral standards. Selectivity generally correlates with the school's academic reputation and matriculation outcomes, so families should ask directly rather than assume based on tuition alone.

How does financial aid actually get awarded at Maryland Catholic schools?

Most schools use a third-party need-analysis service, commonly FACTS Grant & Aid, where families submit tax documents and the service recommends an award tier. The school's own aid committee then finalizes amounts based on available budget. Awards are renewed annually and can change if family financial circumstances shift, so re-applying each year is required.

What accreditation should I check for before enrolling?

Confirm current Middle States Association or Maryland Nonpublic School Approval status, plus good standing with the relevant archdiocese. Accreditation status is typically listed on the school's website footer or About page, and can also be verified by calling the archdiocesan schools office directly if it isn't clearly published.

Sources

• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/maryland/
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/maryland
• https://www.greatschools.org/maryland/
• https://www.archbalt.org/catholic-schools/
• https://www.adw.org/catholic-schools
• https://www.privateschoolreview.com/maryland/catholic-schools
• https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/

Related on PULSE

• [More catholic schools in maryland rankings and buying guides](/knowledge)
• [PULSE Tools and calculators](/tools)
• [Everything on PULSE RevOps](/)