Top 10 Magnet and STEM High Schools in Maryland

Direct Answer

The Best Overall magnet high school in Maryland is Poolesville High School in Montgomery County, whose Science, Math, Computer Science (SMCS) and Global Ecology magnet programs send graduates to top engineering and research universities, with a school-wide graduation rate above 97% and SAT averages well over 1300.

The Best Value pick is Eleanor Roosevelt High School's Science & Technology program in Prince George's County — a tuition-free public magnet that delivers rigorous research-based STEM and one of the largest AP menus in the region without the price of private school. This list is built for families and students seeking a tuition-free, application-based public high school with deep STEM, engineering, or specialized academic tracks across the state of Maryland.

Every pick below uses real, publicly reported enrollment, test, and graduation data.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against what Maryland families and students tell counselors and survey firms they actually care about. We drew on published figures from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), U.S. News, Niche, and GreatSchools. The weighting:

• Academic performance — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and program fit — 10%

A school that posts elite test scores but loses students before graduation, or offers strong programs without college follow-through, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Poolesville High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Top STEM and humanities students seeking the state's strongest magnet

Poolesville High School in Montgomery County runs three application-based magnet programs — Science, Math, and Computer Science (SMCS), Global Ecology, and Humanities — drawing high-achieving students from across the county. With about 1,300 students, Poolesville posts a graduation rate above 97%, SAT averages comfortably over 1300, and one of the highest concentrations of National Merit semifinalists in Maryland.

The school offers a deep AP catalog plus research courses, and its SMCS students routinely place in regional and national science competitions. Graduates matriculate to schools including MIT, Johns Hopkins, UMD College Park, and the Ivy League. A strong faculty and a culture of academic intensity make Poolesville the benchmark magnet in the state.

Pros:

• Three competitive magnet tracks under one roof
• Graduation rate above 97% with elite SAT averages
• High National Merit semifinalist concentration
• Strong matriculation to MIT, Johns Hopkins, and UMD

Cons:

• Magnet admission is highly competitive and capped
• Academic intensity can be demanding for some students

Verdict: Poolesville wins on balance — three elite magnet tracks, top outcomes, and the strongest college matriculation of any Maryland public high school.

2. Montgomery Blair High School (Magnet)

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Math, science, and computer-science prodigies seeking the deepest STEM magnet

Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring houses the renowned Math, Science, and Computer Science Magnet Program, widely regarded as one of the most rigorous public STEM magnets in the United States. Within a large comprehensive school of about 3,000 students, the magnet enrolls a selective cohort that takes accelerated and original courses in analysis, mathematical modeling, and computer science unavailable elsewhere.

Blair magnet students dominate national competitions like the USA Mathematical Olympiad, Intel/Regeneron Science Talent Search, and science bowls. The broader school offers a wide AP menu and strong arts, and graduates head to MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, and top research universities.

Its magnet faculty includes published researchers and competition coaches.

Pros:

• One of the nation's most rigorous public STEM magnets
• Original accelerated math and computer-science courses
• National competition dominance in math and science
• Strong matriculation to MIT, Caltech, and Carnegie Mellon

Cons:

• Magnet admission is extraordinarily competitive
• Large host school can feel crowded outside the magnet

Verdict: The STEM-prodigy pick — Blair's magnet is unmatched for students aiming at elite math, science, or computer-science programs.

3. Eleanor Roosevelt High School — Science & Technology 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Prince George's students wanting rigorous, research-based STEM at no cost

Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt runs Prince George's County's flagship Science & Technology Program, a four-year research-based magnet that requires a senior research project and rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. As the largest high school in the county with about 2,600 students, Roosevelt offers one of the broadest AP catalogs in the region and consistently ranks among Maryland's top public schools.

Its graduation rate exceeds 95%, and Science & Tech graduates routinely enter engineering and pre-med programs at UMD College Park, UMBC, and out-of-state research universities. As a tuition-free public magnet delivering private-caliber STEM rigor, it offers exceptional outcomes per dollar.

Pros:

• Tuition-free research-based STEM magnet with senior thesis
• One of the broadest AP catalogs in the region
• Graduation rate above 95%
• Strong engineering and pre-med matriculation

Cons:

• Large school size can dilute individual attention
• Magnet seats are limited and competitive

Verdict: The value champion — Roosevelt's Science & Tech program delivers private-school STEM rigor entirely free to qualifying Prince George's students.

4. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Baltimore-area students seeking a historic engineering-focused high school

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute ("Poly") in Baltimore City is one of the oldest engineering-focused public high schools in the country, anchored by its selective Ingenuity Project STEM track and the rigorous "A-Course" engineering curriculum. Serving about 1,400 students, Poly emphasizes advanced mathematics, physics, and engineering design, and the Ingenuity Project cohort takes accelerated science and original research courses.

The school maintains a strong AP offering and a proud tradition of sending graduates into engineering programs at UMBC, UMD, Morgan State, and beyond. Its long-standing reputation, dedicated STEM faculty, and college-going culture make it Baltimore's premier public engineering magnet.

Pros:

• Historic engineering focus with the rigorous A-Course
• Selective Ingenuity Project STEM research track
• Strong AP offerings and college-going culture
• Solid matriculation to UMBC, UMD, and Morgan State

Cons:

• Facilities are older than suburban magnets
• Ingenuity seats are limited and selective

Verdict: Baltimore's engineering flagship — Poly is the top public STEM choice for city students who want a storied engineering pathway.

5. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students pursuing health professions and biomedical careers

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore City is the region's standout health-professions magnet, partnered with nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital and other medical institutions. Serving about 1,100 students, Dunbar's nationally recognized program prepares students for careers in medicine, nursing, and allied health through specialized coursework, clinical exposure, and certifications.

Students can earn credentials as certified nursing assistants and gain real hospital experience before graduation. The school offers AP courses alongside its career-and-technical health track, and graduates pursue nursing and pre-med programs at Morgan State, Coppin State, UMBC, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Dunbar's hospital partnerships give it a distinctive, career-focused edge.

Pros:

• Renowned health-professions and biomedical magnet
• Clinical partnerships with Johns Hopkins Hospital
• CNA and allied-health certifications before graduation
• Strong pipeline to nursing and pre-med programs

Cons:

• Narrower academic focus than broad STEM magnets
• Urban setting with older facilities

Verdict: The health-careers pick — Dunbar is unmatched for students set on medicine, nursing, or allied-health professions.

6. Eastern Technical High School

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Baltimore County students wanting career academies plus strong academics

Eastern Technical High School in Essex, Baltimore County, is consistently among the highest-ranked high schools in Maryland, blending rigorous academics with eight career-and-technical academies spanning engineering, biomedical sciences, law, IT, and business. Serving about 1,300 students, Eastern Tech posts a graduation rate near 99% — among the best in the state — and high AP participation and pass rates.

Students complete a college-prep core alongside their chosen academy, earning industry certifications and dual credit. Graduates head to UMBC, Towson, UMD, and engineering programs statewide. Eastern Tech's combination of near-universal graduation, technical credentials, and strong academics makes it a model magnet.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 99%, among the state's best
• Eight career academies including engineering and biomedical
• High AP participation with industry certifications
• Strong transfer to UMBC, Towson, and UMD

Cons:

• Academy selection locks in a focus early
• Competitive admission limits available seats

Verdict: A near-perfect blend — Eastern Tech pairs top graduation outcomes with real career credentials for Baltimore County students.

7. Western School of Technology and Environmental Science

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students wanting technical academies with an environmental-science angle

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science in Catonsville, Baltimore County, pairs a college-prep academic core with career-and-technical academies in fields like environmental science, allied health, information technology, and construction design. Serving about 1,100 students, Western posts a graduation rate above 95% and strong AP participation, and its environmental-science focus is distinctive among Maryland magnets.

Students earn industry certifications and complete capstone projects tied to their academy. Graduates pursue STEM and technical programs at UMBC, Towson, and the University System of Maryland. Western's blend of hands-on technical training and a green, project-based academic identity sets it apart from purely academic magnets.

Pros:

• Distinctive environmental-science and technical focus
• Career academies with industry certifications
• Graduation rate above 95%
• Hands-on, project-based capstone learning

Cons:

• Smaller AP catalog than the largest magnets
• Academy structure narrows electives

Verdict: The applied-STEM choice — Western suits students who want technical academies and an environmental-science identity.

8. River Hill High School

Type: Public comprehensive | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Howard County families wanting top academics without an application

River Hill High School in Clarksville, Howard County, is regularly ranked among the best comprehensive public high schools in Maryland — no magnet application required for in-boundary students. Serving about 1,500 students, River Hill posts a graduation rate near 98%, SAT averages over 1250, and one of the broadest AP menus in Howard County, with strong pass rates.

The school excels across STEM, humanities, and the arts, and its athletics and extracurricular programs are among the county's most decorated. Graduates matriculate to UMD College Park, UMBC, Johns Hopkins, and top out-of-state universities. For families inside its attendance zone, River Hill delivers magnet-caliber academics through the standard public system.

Pros:

• Top-ranked comprehensive academics, no application needed
• Graduation rate near 98% with strong SAT averages
• Broad AP menu with high pass rates
• Decorated athletics and extracurriculars

Cons:

• Access depends on living in the attendance zone
• High-cost housing surrounds the catchment area

Verdict: The no-application standout — River Hill gives in-boundary Howard County families magnet-level academics through the regular public school.

9. Towson High School — Law and Public Policy

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students interested in law, government, and public service

Towson High School in Towson, Baltimore County, hosts a selective Law and Public Policy magnet for students drawn to government, legal careers, and public service. Within a comprehensive school of about 1,500 students, the magnet offers specialized coursework in constitutional law, public policy, and government, plus mock trial, moot court, and internship opportunities with local courts and agencies.

The school maintains a strong AP catalog and a high graduation rate above 95%. Magnet graduates pursue political science, pre-law, and public-affairs programs at UMD College Park, Towson University, and beyond. For students who know they want a law or policy path, Towson's magnet is one of the few specialized public options in the state.

Pros:

• Specialized law and public-policy magnet curriculum
• Mock trial, moot court, and agency internships
• Strong AP catalog and graduation rate above 95%
• Clear pipeline to pre-law and public-affairs programs

Cons:

• Narrow focus suits only law- and policy-minded students
• Limited STEM specialization compared with tech magnets

Verdict: The law-and-policy pick — Towson's magnet is ideal for students set on government, legal careers, or public service.

10. Aberdeen High School — Science and Mathematics Academy

Type: Public magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Harford County students seeking a small, rigorous STEM cohort

Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, Harford County, houses the selective Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), a small, rigorous STEM magnet drawing students from across the county. The academy cohort completes accelerated coursework, an independent research thesis, and partnerships tied to the nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground and Army Research Laboratory.

Within a comprehensive school of about 1,500 students, SMA students take a heavy AP load and original research courses, posting strong outcomes and high graduation rates above 95%. Graduates pursue engineering, computer science, and research careers at UMBC, UMD, and STEM-focused universities.

SMA's small size and research-and-defense connections give it a distinctive, hands-on STEM identity in northeastern Maryland.

Pros:

• Small, rigorous STEM cohort with a research thesis
• Ties to Aberdeen Proving Ground and Army research
• Heavy AP load and graduation rate above 95%
• Strong engineering and computer-science matriculation

Cons:

• Very limited cohort size restricts admission
• Located within a larger comprehensive school

Verdict: The research-focused small magnet — Aberdeen's SMA suits Harford County STEM students who want a tight cohort and defense-research ties.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Magnet or STEM High School

• Admission and application process — Magnets like Poolesville, Blair, and Eleanor Roosevelt require applications and testing; comprehensive schools like River Hill serve in-boundary students automatically.
• Program fit over prestige — A health magnet like Dunbar or a law magnet like Towson only pays off if the student wants that field. Match the specialization to the student's goals.
• Outcomes data, not reputation — Check graduation rates, AP participation and pass rates, and SAT averages from MSDE and NCES, not word of mouth.
• Tuition-free public value — These public magnets deliver private-caliber rigor at no cost; compare their AP menus and research opportunities against pricey private schools.
• Research and partnerships — Programs tied to institutions like Johns Hopkins or Aberdeen Proving Ground give students real-world exposure that boosts college applications.
• Commute and county boundaries — Many magnets draw countywide; confirm transportation and eligibility before committing.

What matters less than marketing implies: a school's name recognition, building age, and athletic trophies. For a magnet, the application odds, program specialization, and published outcomes affect a student's future far more than a glossy reputation.

FAQ

Which magnet high school is the best overall in Maryland? Poolesville High School earns our top spot for its three elite magnet tracks — SMCS, Global Ecology, and Humanities — a graduation rate above 97%, and the strongest college matriculation of any Maryland public high school.

What is the best value magnet or STEM high school in Maryland? Eleanor Roosevelt's Science & Technology program is our value pick: a tuition-free public magnet in Prince George's County delivering research-based STEM rigor and a broad AP catalog that rivals private schools at no cost.

Which Maryland high school is best for math and computer science? The Montgomery Blair Math, Science, and Computer Science Magnet is widely regarded as the most rigorous public STEM magnet in the state, dominating national math and science competitions.

How do I get into a Maryland magnet high school? Most magnets require an application, academic records, and often testing during eighth grade; admission is competitive and seats are limited. Comprehensive schools like River Hill instead serve students who live within their attendance boundaries.

Which Maryland high school is best for future doctors or nurses? Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore is the standout health-professions magnet, partnered with Johns Hopkins Hospital and offering clinical exposure and CNA certification before graduation.

Are Maryland magnet and STEM high schools free? Yes. All the schools on this list are tuition-free public high schools; their cost is effectively the value of living within the right county or earning admission to a countywide magnet program.

Bottom Line

For families and students across Maryland, Poolesville High School is our Best Overall magnet — three elite tracks, a graduation rate above 97%, and unmatched college matriculation. Eleanor Roosevelt's Science & Technology program is our Best Value, delivering tuition-free, research-based STEM rigor in Prince George's County.

If your priorities lean toward elite math and computer science, engineering, health professions, law and policy, or career academies, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Montgomery Blair, Baltimore Poly, Aberdeen SMA, Dunbar, Towson, Eastern Tech, or Western School of Technology instead.

Choose on program fit, admission odds, and published outcomes — not reputation — and your student will land in the program that matches their goals.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Maryland
• Niche — Best Magnet High Schools in Maryland
• GreatSchools — Maryland high school ratings
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) — Report Card
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
• College Board — AP program data
• Montgomery County Public Schools — magnet programs
• Prince George's County Public Schools — specialty programs
• Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
• The Washington Post — Maryland schools coverage

*Magnet and STEM high schools in Maryland review — best magnet high schools Maryland, STEM school rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families and students.*