The Best High Schools in Montgomery County, MD — According to U.S. News & World Report
Montgomery County, Maryland, has long been recognized for its exceptional public school system, and the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings reaffirm that reputation. In the 2025 rankings, eight Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) earned spots among the top 25 high schools in Maryland, with several also ranking among the best in the nation.
Why Montgomery County Schools Stand Out
MCPS schools consistently excel thanks to:
- Rigorous academics with a strong focus on college readiness.
- Diverse extracurricular opportunities in arts, athletics, and STEM.
- Highly qualified educators committed to student success.
- Inclusive programs that support students from all backgrounds.
Top-Ranked MCPS High Schools in 2026
Top-Ranked High Schools in Montgomery County
This year, Whitman School in Bethesda earned the distinction of being the #1 high school in Montgomery County and #2 overall in the state of Maryland — an incredible achievement. (The Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County was number one.)
Several other local top high schools joined the top 25 list statewide, underscoring just how many excellent options families have across the county:
- Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, Montgomery County Public Schools #2
- Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville, Montgomery County Public Schools #3
- Poolesville High School, Poolesville, Montgomery County Public Schools #4
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- Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, Montgomery County Public Schools #8
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- Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Montgomery County Public Schools #11
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- Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, Montgomery County Public Schools #14
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- Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Bethesda, Montgomery County Public Schools #20
- Northwest High School, Germantown, Montgomery County Public Schools #21
What’s especially encouraging is the geographic spread of these top high schools. Whether you’re drawn to Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Poolesville or Chevy Chase, there are outstanding educational opportunities nearby — and that’s reflected in the strength and desirability of those real estate markets.
The only school in the DC Metro area that made the top 10 nationally is the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County.
Top-Ranked MCPS High Schools in 2025
It is helpful to remember that school rankings change each year but the essential quality of the schools remains the same. For instance here is the ranking for 2025- and you can see that the schools have switched rankings but the top schools are still the top schools.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are some of the standout schools:
| School | State Rank | National Rank | Graduation Rate | AP/IB Participation Rate |
|------------|---------------|-------------------|---------------------|------------------------------|
| Walt Whitman High School | #1 in MD | Top 150 | 98% | 85% |
| Thomas S. Wootton High School | #2 in MD | Top 200 | 97% | 83% |
| Winston Churchill High School | #3 in MD | Top 250 | 97% | 82% |
| Poolesville High School | #4 in MD | Top 300 | 99% | 88% |
| Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School | #6 in MD | Top 350 | 95% | 80% |
| Richard Montgomery High School | #7 in MD | Top 400 | 96% | 84% |
| Montgomery Blair High School | #10 in MD | Top 500 | 94% | 78% |
| Quince Orchard High School | #15 in MD | Top 700 | 93% | 72% |
(Note: Rankings and percentages are based on the U.S. News & World Report data for 2025.)
What This Means for Families
For parents and students in Montgomery County, these rankings highlight the wealth of educational opportunities available locally. Whether your child is interested in STEM, the arts, or advanced academic programs, MCPS offers pathways to success that rival the best in the country.
Final Thought:
Montgomery County's strong showing in the U.S> News rankings is no accident. It is the result of decades of investment in quality education, concerned parents, community involvement and a commitment to preparing students for the future.
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