Top 10 Catholic High Schools in Maryland

Direct Answer

The Best Overall Catholic high school in Maryland is Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, a Jesuit boarding-and-day school whose average SAT scores land near 1380 and whose graduates routinely matriculate to Georgetown, Notre Dame, and the Ivy League. The Best Value pick is **Mount St.

Joseph High School in Baltimore, where tuition near $18,500/yr buys strong AP results, a respected engineering pathway, and a 99% graduation rate at roughly half the cost of the area's elite boarding schools. This list is built for Maryland families and students weighing faith-based academics, college placement, and total cost across the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington suburbs**.

Every pick below uses real, publicly reported tuition, enrollment, and outcomes data.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against what Catholic-school families tell admissions offices and survey firms they care about most. We drew on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the College Board, and individual school profiles. The weighting:

• Academic performance (AP/honors, test scores) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment, safety, and faith formation — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

A school that posts elite test scores but offers thin college counseling, or charges flagship tuition without flagship placement, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Georgetown Preparatory School 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Private (Jesuit, all-boys, boarding & day) | Tuition: $45,975/yr (day), $72,500/yr (boarding) | Best for: Families seeking elite Jesuit academics and national college placement

Founded in 1789, Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda (Montgomery County) is the oldest Jesuit secondary school in the country and enrolls roughly 500 young men in grades 9–12. The school posts an average SAT around 1380 and offers more than 20 AP courses alongside a rigorous Jesuit core.

Its student-teacher ratio sits near 8:1, and a graduation rate of 100% feeds matriculation into Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston College, the University of Maryland, and the Ivy League. Signature strengths include a championship golf program, robust debate, and an alumni network that includes two U.S.

Supreme Court justices.

Pros:

• Average SAT near 1380 with 20+ AP offerings
• 8:1 student-teacher ratio and deep faculty credentials
• Powerful national alumni and college-placement network
• Boarding option draws students nationwide

Cons:

• Boarding tuition near $72,500 is the highest in the state
• All-boys, single-sex format will not fit every family

Verdict: Georgetown Prep wins on balance — elite academics, faith formation, and national placement with no real weak spot.

2. Mount St. Joseph High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Private (Xaverian Brothers, all-boys, day) | Tuition: $18,500/yr | Best for: Families wanting strong AP and engineering outcomes at a sensible price

Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore (Irvington) enrolls about 1,000 young men and delivers outsized results for its tuition. The school offers 18+ AP courses, a respected Project Lead The Way engineering pathway, and posts a graduation rate near 99%.

Its student-teacher ratio runs about 13:1, and graduates earn admission to the University of Maryland, Loyola Maryland, Towson, Johns Hopkins, and the U.S. Service academies. Athletics are a point of pride, with MIAA championships in football, basketball, and lacrosse, and the campus sits on a sprawling 30-plus-acre site rare for a city school.

Pros:

• Tuition near $18,500 — roughly half the elite boarding rate
• Project Lead The Way engineering and 18+ AP courses
• Graduation rate near 99% with strong in-state placement
• Large 30+ acre campus and championship athletics

Cons:

• Larger 13:1 ratio than the boutique privates
• All-boys format limits the applicant pool

Verdict: The Joe is the value champion — most of the academic and athletic upside of pricier schools for a fraction of the tuition.

3. Gilman School

Type: Private (nonsectarian-Episcopal heritage, all-boys, day) | Tuition: $39,000/yr | Best for: Families seeking a historic all-boys school with deep college counseling

While not Catholic by charter, Gilman in Baltimore (Roland Park) is frequently grouped with the city's faith-rooted privates and is included here for comparison families request. It enrolls about 1,000 boys K–12 with roughly 450 in the upper school, posts an average SAT near 1360, and offers 20+ advanced and AP-equivalent courses.

The student-teacher ratio is about 7:1, and graduates head to Princeton, Johns Hopkins, the University of Virginia, and Williams. Its lacrosse and football programs are nationally known.

Pros:

• Average SAT near 1360 with 20+ advanced courses
• 7:1 ratio and individualized college counseling
• Nationally ranked lacrosse and football
• Strong financial-aid endowment broadens access

Cons:

• Episcopal heritage, not Catholic, may not match faith preferences
• Tuition near $39,000 is steep for many families

Verdict: A historic all-boys powerhouse — ideal for families prioritizing counseling and athletics over a specifically Catholic identity.

4. The John Carroll School

Type: Private (Catholic, co-ed, day) | Tuition: $19,900/yr | Best for: Co-ed families in Harford County wanting balanced academics and faith life

The John Carroll School in Bel Air (Harford County) enrolls about 650 students and is a leading co-ed Catholic option north of Baltimore. It offers 15+ AP courses, a STEM and biomedical track, and posts a graduation rate of 99% with 99% of graduates pursuing higher education.

The student-teacher ratio runs about 11:1, and recent classes have earned admission to Notre Dame, Penn State, the University of Maryland, and Loyola Maryland. A one-to-one device program and strong arts offerings round out the experience.

Pros:

• Co-ed Catholic formation with 15+ AP courses
• 99% graduation rate and college-going rate
• STEM and biomedical pathway plus one-to-one devices
• Tuition under $20,000 keeps costs reasonable

Cons:

• Smaller AP catalog than the Baltimore flagships
• Harford County location is a commute for some families

Verdict: A well-rounded co-ed choice — strong for Harford-area families who want faith, STEM, and value together.

5. Calvert Hall College High School

Type: Private (Christian Brothers, all-boys, day) | Tuition: $19,900/yr | Best for: Families wanting a large all-boys school with broad AP and athletics

Calvert Hall in Towson (Baltimore County) is one of the largest Catholic high schools in the state, enrolling roughly 1,200 young men. It offers 25+ AP and honors courses, a respected business and entrepreneurship program, and posts a graduation rate near 99%.

The student-teacher ratio is about 12:1, and graduates routinely enroll at the University of Maryland, Loyola Maryland, Towson, and Villanova. Its rivalry with Loyola Blakefield anchors a deep athletic tradition, and the school awards millions annually in financial aid.

Pros:

• 25+ AP and honors courses, among the most in class
• Graduation rate near 99% with strong aid budget
• Business and entrepreneurship program stands out
• Large school with broad clubs and athletics

Cons:

• 1,200-student size feels big to some families
• All-boys format limits the applicant pool

Verdict: A broad, deep all-boys option — best when a wide course catalog and big-school resources matter most.

6. Loyola Blakefield

Type: Private (Jesuit, all-boys, day) | Tuition: $24,500/yr | Best for: Families seeking Jesuit formation close to Baltimore

Loyola Blakefield in Towson enrolls about 1,000 young men in grades 6–12 and brings the Jesuit "men for others" ethos to the Baltimore suburbs. It offers 18+ AP courses, a strong theology and service-learning core, and posts a graduation rate near 99%. The student-teacher ratio runs about 10:1, and graduates head to Boston College, Georgetown, the University of Maryland, and Loyola Maryland.

The school's debate, robotics, and lacrosse programs are perennial standouts in the MIAA.

Pros:

• Jesuit service-learning core with 18+ AP courses
• 10:1 ratio and strong faith formation
• Powerhouse debate, robotics, and lacrosse
• Grades 6–12 allow an early continuous pathway

Cons:

• Tuition near $24,500 sits above the value picks
• All-boys format will not fit every family

Verdict: A strong Jesuit alternative to Georgetown Prep — ideal for Baltimore-area families who want the ethos closer to home.

7. Notre Dame Preparatory School

Type: Private (Catholic, all-girls, day) | Tuition: $25,500/yr | Best for: Families seeking a leading all-girls Catholic school

Notre Dame Prep in Towson enrolls about 750 young women in grades 6–12 and is the region's premier all-girls Catholic school. It offers 20+ AP courses, a respected STEM and engineering program for girls, and posts a graduation rate of 100% with nearly all graduates entering four-year colleges.

The student-teacher ratio is about 9:1, and recent classes have matriculated to Notre Dame, Georgetown, the University of Maryland, and Loyola Maryland. Leadership development and service are woven through every grade.

Pros:

• All-girls STEM focus with 20+ AP courses
• 100% graduation rate and near-universal college enrollment
• 9:1 ratio supports strong mentorship
• Leadership and service emphasis throughout

Cons:

• Tuition near $25,500 is above the value picks
• All-girls format limits the applicant pool

Verdict: The top all-girls Catholic pick — best for families prioritizing female leadership and STEM access.

8. Archbishop Spalding High School

Type: Private (Catholic, co-ed, day) | Tuition: $21,950/yr | Best for: Co-ed families in Anne Arundel County wanting balanced strength

Archbishop Spalding in Severn (Anne Arundel County) enrolls about 1,250 students and is one of the largest co-ed Catholic schools between Baltimore and Annapolis. It offers 20+ AP courses, a fine and performing arts conservatory, and posts a graduation rate near 99%.

The student-teacher ratio runs about 13:1, and graduates enroll at the University of Maryland, the U.S. Naval Academy, Towson, and Salisbury. Its athletic facilities and arts spaces are among the strongest in the diocese.

Pros:

• Co-ed with 20+ AP courses and an arts conservatory
• Graduation rate near 99% with broad placement
• Excellent athletic and performing-arts facilities
• Central Anne Arundel location serves a wide area

Cons:

• 13:1 ratio reflects its larger size
• Tuition near $22,000 tops the co-ed value options

Verdict: A balanced co-ed standout — strong for Anne Arundel families who want academics, arts, and athletics in one place.

9. Mercy High School

Type: Private (Catholic, all-girls, day) | Tuition: $19,500/yr | Best for: Families wanting an affordable all-girls Catholic school in Baltimore

Mercy High School in Baltimore (north city) enrolls about 500 young women and offers a value-minded all-girls alternative to the pricier privates. It posts 15+ AP and honors courses, a respected health-sciences and nursing pathway, and a graduation rate near 99%.

The student-teacher ratio is about 11:1, and graduates head to Loyola Maryland, Towson, the University of Maryland, and Notre Dame of Maryland University. The Mercy charism centers service and social justice across the curriculum.

Pros:

• Affordable all-girls tuition near $19,500
• Health-sciences and nursing pathway
• Graduation rate near 99% with strong in-state placement
• Service and social-justice emphasis

Cons:

• Smaller AP catalog than the flagship privates
• City location is a commute for suburban families

Verdict: A practical all-girls value pick — best for families wanting Mercy formation and health-career pathways affordably.

10. St. Mary's Ryken High School

Type: Private (Catholic, co-ed, day) | Tuition: $18,900/yr | Best for: Southern Maryland families wanting co-ed Catholic value

St. Mary's Ryken in Leonardtown (St. Mary's County) enrolls about 750 students and anchors Catholic secondary education in Southern Maryland.

It offers 15+ AP courses, a cyber and aviation STEM program tied to nearby Patuxent River, and posts a graduation rate near 99%. The student-teacher ratio runs about 12:1, and graduates enroll at **the University of Maryland, St. Mary's College of Maryland, Towson, and the U.S.

Naval Academy**. The school's proximity to the naval air station shapes distinctive engineering opportunities.

Pros:

• Co-ed Catholic value at $18,900/yr
• Cyber and aviation STEM tied to Pax River
• Graduation rate near 99% with strong service-academy placement
• Anchors Southern Maryland Catholic education

Cons:

• Rural Southern Maryland location limits reach
• Fewer AP offerings than Baltimore-area flagships

Verdict: The Southern Maryland pick — best for co-ed families in St. Mary's County wanting STEM-flavored Catholic value.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Catholic High School

• AP and honors depth — Count the actual AP courses offered and how many students sit exams, not just the brochure. Flagships here run 18–25 AP options.
• College counseling ratio — Ask how many students each counselor carries. The boutique privates near a 7:1–9:1 student-teacher ratio tend to offer more individualized guidance.
• Real graduation and college-going rates — Verify MSDE and school-reported figures; the leaders here post 99%–100% graduation and near-universal four-year enrollment.
• Financial aid and net price — Sticker tuition rarely equals what families pay. Ask each school's average aid award and percentage of students on aid.
• Faith formation and charism — Jesuit, Xaverian, Christian Brothers, and Mercy traditions each shape daily life differently; match the charism to your family.
• Single-sex vs co-ed fit — Decide whether an all-boys or all-girls environment suits your student before chasing rankings.

What matters less than marketing implies: glossy facilities tours, championship banners, and headline average SATs. Counseling quality, AP participation rates, and real net price affect outcomes and your budget far more.

FAQ

Which Catholic high school is the best overall in Maryland? Georgetown Preparatory School earns our top spot for its average SAT near 1380, 20+ AP courses, an 8:1 ratio, and national college placement into Georgetown, Notre Dame, and the Ivy League.

What is the best value Catholic high school in Maryland? Mount St. Joseph at about $18,500/yr delivers 18+ AP courses, a Project Lead The Way engineering pathway, and a 99% graduation rate at roughly half the cost of the elite boarding schools.

Which Maryland Catholic schools are co-ed? The John Carroll School, Archbishop Spalding, and St. Mary's Ryken are co-ed; Georgetown Prep, Mount St. Joseph, Calvert Hall, and Loyola Blakefield are all-boys, while Notre Dame Prep and Mercy are all-girls.

How much does Catholic high school cost in Maryland? Day tuition typically runs $18,500 to $46,000/yr; the value picks sit near $18,500–$20,000, while Georgetown Prep's boarding option reaches $72,500/yr. Most schools offer substantial financial aid.

Which Maryland Catholic schools are strongest for STEM? Mount St. Joseph (Project Lead The Way engineering), The John Carroll School (biomedical), Notre Dame Prep (girls' engineering), and St. Mary's Ryken (cyber and aviation) all offer standout STEM pathways.

Do Catholic high schools require students to be Catholic? No. Most Maryland Catholic high schools, including those listed here, admit students of all faiths while requiring participation in religion classes and the school's faith life.

Bottom Line

For Maryland families, Georgetown Preparatory School is our Best Overall Catholic high school — its average SAT near 1380, deep AP catalog, 8:1 ratio, and national placement set the standard. Mount St. Joseph, near $18,500/yr, is our Best Value, delivering strong AP, engineering, and a 99% graduation rate for far less.

If your priorities lean co-ed, all-girls, a specific county, or a particular charism, use the decision tree above to route yourself to John Carroll, Notre Dame Prep, Archbishop Spalding, or another pick. Choose on counseling quality, AP participation, and real net price — not banners or brochures — and your student will thrive.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best Catholic High Schools rankings
• Niche — Best Catholic High Schools in Maryland
• GreatSchools — Maryland school ratings
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) report card
• College Board — AP and SAT program data
• Georgetown Preparatory School — admissions and profile
• Mount St. Joseph High School — academics and tuition
• Archdiocese of Baltimore — Catholic schools directory
• The Washington Post — Maryland school guides
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

*Catholic high schools in Maryland review — best Catholic high schools Maryland, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top private faith-based picks for families.*