Research / Best ZIP codes for schools
Best ZIP codes for schools in Maryland
Ranked by the School Quality Index: district math and reading proficiency and graduation rates, weighted by how much of each district falls in the ZIP.
How we rank school quality
The School Quality Index summarizes district math and reading proficiency and four-year graduation outcomes. Results based on very small student samples are excluded, and missing measures do not count as zero.
A ZIP's score reflects the districts serving the area, with greater influence from districts covering more of the ZIP. It measures outcomes, not school ratings, spending, or individual schools.
Each state sets its own tests and proficiency cut scores, so the index compares ZIPs well within a state but not across states. That is why we rank ZIPs only within each state.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 349 Maryland ZIPs qualify.
Maryland ZIP codes ranked by school quality
1ZIP 20723Laurel
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~37k
- Avg. temperature
- 56°F
- Avg. commute
- 28 min
2ZIP 20759Fulton
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~7k
- Avg. temperature
- 56°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
3ZIP 20763Savage
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 55°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
4ZIP 21029Clarksville
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~14k
- Avg. temperature
- 56°F
- Avg. commute
- 32 min
5ZIP 21036Clarksville
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 56°F
- Avg. commute
- 33 min
6ZIP 21042Ellicott City
Maryland
- School quality index
- 52.0
- ZIP population
- ~43k
- Avg. temperature
- 56°F
- Avg. commute
- 29 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | School quality index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 21044 | Columbia | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #8 | 21045 | Columbia | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #9 | 21046 | Columbia | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #10 | 21075 | Elkridge | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #11 | 21737 | Glenelg | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #12 | 21738 | Glenwood | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #13 | 21794 | Sykesville | Howard County | 52.0 |
| #14 | 20777 | Highland | Howard County | 51.9 |
| #15 | 21043 | Ellicott City | Howard County | 51.5 |
| #16 | 21797 | Woodbine | Howard County | 51.5 |
| #17 | 21784 | Sykesville | Carroll County | 50.8 |
| #18 | 21048 | Finksburg | Carroll County | 50.6 |
| #19 | 21157 | Westminster | Carroll County | 50.6 |
| #20 | 21158 | Westminster | Carroll County | 50.6 |
| #21 | 21787 | Taneytown | Carroll County | 50.1 |
| #22 | 21776 | New Windsor | Carroll County | 49.8 |
| #23 | 21104 | Randallstown | Howard County | 49.2 |
| #24 | 21757 | Keymar | Frederick County | 48.8 |
| #25 | 21771 | Mount Airy | Carroll County | 48.8 |
Rank Maryland by your own priorities
This list uses one attribute. In SkaldMaps you choose the criteria, weight them, and rank every Maryland ZIP against what matters to you.
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More Maryland research
Most affordable ZIP codes
Ranked by cost of living index
- Maryland median ZIP
- 114.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 91.5 to 147.3
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- Maryland median ZIP
- 31.4 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 23.6 min to 39.5 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Maryland median ZIP
- 94.8
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 87.5 to 98.7
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Maryland median ZIP
- 93.1%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 83.2% to 97.7%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Maryland median ZIP
- 56.4°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 54.4°F to 57.9°F