Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Summary:

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is a high-performing public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, serving grades 9-12 and enrolling over 1,200 students. Despite being part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, which is ranked 24th out of 25 districts in the state, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in Maryland, ranking within the top 10 schools in the state for several years.

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute significantly outperforms the surrounding schools in the district, such as Forest Park High, Baltimore City College, and Carver Vocational-Technical High, in academic assessments. In the 2023-2024 school year, 89.7% of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to just 27.7% for the district and 48.4% for the state. In mathematics, 30.2% of the school's students were proficient or better, compared to 10.2% for the district and 24.1% for the state. Additionally, the school has a more diverse student body, with 18.78% White, 60.32% African American, 13.7% Hispanic, and 5.14% Asian students, in contrast to the predominantly African American populations of the surrounding schools.

Another notable factor is the school's socioeconomic status, with a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (43.15%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 60.09% to 85.95% free or reduced-price lunch recipients. This suggests that Baltimore Polytechnic Institute serves a more economically advantaged population, which may contribute to its exceptional academic performance and consistent ranking among the top high schools in Maryland.

Detail:

Public 9-12

1400 W Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209-4904

(410) 396-7026

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
4^th of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,010

Student/teacher ratio: 20.0

Number of students: 1,555

Racial breakdown:

African American:

60.3%

White:

18.8%

Hispanic:

13.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 43.2%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Baltimore Polytechnic Institute to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Baltimore Polytechnic Institute ranks better than 97.3% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks first among 10 ranked high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.45. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (60.3%), White (18.8%), Hispanic (13.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 43.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is 20. 30 high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Baltimore Polytechnic Institute employs 77.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is $17,010. 29 high schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Baltimore Polytechnic Institute 4^th of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in the ranking list.)

Baltimore City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Baltimore City Public Schools 24^th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

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Rank History for all students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile
2004	67.94	3^rd	201	98.5%
2005	88.26	1^st	204	99.5%
2006	87.61	2^nd	204	99.0%
2007	84.69	5^th	209	97.6%
2008	86.94	2^nd	214	99.1%
2009	86.26	2^nd	213	99.1%
2010	87.09	4^th	220	98.2%
2011	87.41	4^th	183	97.8%
2012	82.31	16^th	187	91.4%
2013	79.71	31^st	185	83.2%
2014	78.99	46^th	231	80.1%
2015	78.33	15^th	233	93.6%
2016	79.58	16^th	233	93.1%
2017	83.29	13^th	180	92.8%
2018	71.66	28^th	197	85.8%
2019	81.82	12^th	138	91.3%
2021	82.00	8^th	32	75.0%
2022	83.58	9^th	225	96.0%
2023	80.88	4^th	127	96.9%
2024	84.45	4^th	146	97.3%

See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	82.61	1^st	11	90.9%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	80.17	9^th	31	71.0%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	82.92	7^th	35	80.0%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	86.19	4^th	14	71.4%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	84.18	2^nd	9	77.8%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	89.26	2^nd	40	95.0%

See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, August 24, 2017

Poly affords its students a very rigorous learning experience that prepares them well for college. There are a number of clubs, sports and other activities to hone their gifts and talents or explore new interests all together. I'm grateful my three children were selected to attend such a great school at their dad's alma mater.
Husband c/o '85
Son 1 c/o '14 (Honors)
Son 2 c/o '18 (Ingenuity program)
Daughter c/o '21 (Wait list for Ingenuity) Close Quote

by a student on FaceBook
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I am a student at the great Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and in the graduating class of 2009. I take great pleasure in my school. We're taught by some of the best teachers Maryland has to offer and I'm so glad my parents told me about it. Even though my mother went to City, also known as the dump on the hump school. Even though we're not number one we're in the top 5 and we're the first public school on the list so in my eyes that is number one. Since public school are underfunded and we less resources than most county schools. So HEY POLY!!! :) Close Quote

Enrollment information for Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	542	1025	92	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	1670
1990	511	1074	73	12	1	n/a	n/a	3	1674
1991	523	1091	67	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	1693
1992	468	1013	62	13	6	n/a	n/a	0	1562
1993	378	777	59	13	4	n/a	n/a	0	1231
1994	357	695	57	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	1117
1995	276	674	48	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	1003
1996	276	674	48	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	1003
1997	286	719	39	5	5	n/a	n/a	0	1054
1998	298	742	41	7	5	n/a	n/a	0	1093
1999	299	802	41	10	7	n/a	n/a	0	1159
2000	302	797	41	14	6	n/a	n/a	0	1160
2001	284	814	34	10	6	n/a	n/a	0	1148
2002	296	833	37	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1180
2003	296	833	37	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1180
2004	289	822	33	8	4	n/a	n/a	0	1156
2005	279	837	38	12	3	n/a	n/a	0	1169
2006	305	825	40	12	5	n/a	n/a	0	1187
2007	278	899	38	16	5	n/a	n/a	0	1236
2008	269	1002	44	23	6	n/a	n/a	0	1344
2009	245	1109	45	31	5	n/a	n/a	0	1435
2010	214	1251	58	38	54	n/a	n/a	0	1615
2011	213	1256	54	53	105	0	2	0	1683
2012	201	1222	54	55	100	0	2	0	1634
2013	231	1147	61	59	96	2	1	0	1597
2014	243	1070	53	75	37	1	2	0	1481
2015	248	1092	59	79	6	2	9	0	1495
2016	270	1061	71	97	6	4	13	0	1522
2017	257	1081	74	117	4	8	12	0	1553
2018	259	1036	101	127	6	8	15	0	1552
2019	262	1044	107	150	4	6	20	0	1593
2020	258	1030	104	162	3	6	21	0	1584
2021	279	993	109	200	4	4	30	0	1619
2022	290	978	83	214	2	5	26	3	1601
2023	292	938	80	213	1	6	23	2	1555

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1670	70.0	23.8	n/a
1990	1674	71.0	23.5	11.1
1991	1693	69.3	24.4	10.3
1992	1562	70.3	22.2	16.6
1993	1231	66.8	18.4	21.1
1994	1117	60.5	18.5	19.3
1995	1003	55.1	18.2	25.2
1996	1003	55.1	18.2	25.2
1997	1054	57.6	18.3	25.3
1998	1093	56.5	19.3	23.4
1999	1159	56.5	20.5	27.5
2000	1160	65.0	17.8	26.2
2001	1148	67.0	17.1	34.2
2002	1180	73.0	16.2	34.2
2003	1180	73.0	16.2	34.2
2004	1156	62.0	18.6	33.5
2005	1169	59.0	19.8	34.9
2006	1187	58.0	20.5	35.2
2007	1236	68.0	18.2	38.8
2008	1344	67.0	20.1	39.4
2009	1435	77.0	18.6	40.3
2010	1615	85.0	19.0	55
2011	1683	94.0	17.9	53.1
2012	1634	87.5	18.6	56.6
2013	1597	85.5	18.6	56.7
2014	1481	82.5	17.9	56.4
2015	1495	78.0	19.1	57.3
2016	1522	78.0	19.5	44.2
2017	1553	78.5	19.7	100
2018	1552	79.0	19.6	100
2019	1593	79.0	20.1	100
2020	1584	80.0	19.8	25.2
2021	1619	77.5	20.8	34.6
2022	1601	79.5	20.1	36
2023	1555	77.5	20.0	43.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1670	70.0	23.8	n/a
1990	1674	71.0	23.5	11.1
1991	1693	69.3	24.4	10.3
1992	1562	70.3	22.2	16.6
1993	1231	66.8	18.4	21.1
1994	1117	60.5	18.5	19.3
1995	1003	55.1	18.2	25.2
1996	1003	55.1	18.2	25.2
1997	1054	57.6	18.3	25.3
1998	1093	56.5	19.3	23.4
1999	1159	56.5	20.5	27.5
2000	1160	65.0	17.8	26.2
2001	1148	67.0	17.1	34.2
2002	1180	73.0	16.2	34.2
2003	1180	73.0	16.2	34.2
2004	1156	62.0	18.6	33.5
2005	1169	59.0	19.8	34.9
2006	1187	58.0	20.5	35.2
2007	1236	68.0	18.2	38.8
2008	1344	67.0	20.1	39.4
2009	1435	77.0	18.6	40.3
2010	1615	85.0	19.0	55
2011	1683	94.0	17.9	53.1
2012	1634	87.5	18.6	56.6
2013	1597	85.5	18.6	56.7
2014	1481	82.5	17.9	56.4
2015	1495	78.0	19.1	57.3
2016	1522	78.0	19.5	44.2
2017	1553	78.5	19.7	100
2018	1552	79.0	19.6	100
2019	1593	79.0	20.1	100
2020	1584	80.0	19.8	25.2
2021	1619	77.5	20.8	34.6
2022	1601	79.5	20.1	36
2023	1555	77.5	20.0	43.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$845 (7.4%)	$10,596 (92.6%)	$11,441
2020	$1,033 (8.5%)	$11,088 (91.5%)	$12,122
2021	$1,277 (9.8%)	$11,808 (90.2%)	$13,085
2022	$2,080 (14.7%)	$12,111 (85.3%)	$14,191
2023	$294 (1.7%)	$16,716 (98.3%)	$17,010

Data source: Maryland Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 12^th of 138 High schools	Ranks 4^th of 127 High schools	5.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1593	1555	2.4%
African American	1044	938	10.2%
American Indian	4	1	75%
Asian	107	80	25.2%
Hispanic	150	213	42%
Pacific Islander	6	6
White	262	292	11.5%
Two or More Races	20	23	15%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	43.2%	56.8%

Schools Near Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCAP Mathematics (2024)		MCAP English Language Arts (2024)					MCAP Algebra I (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute	Public	9-12	1400 W Cold Spring Lane	Baltimore	21209	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-7026	1,555	78	20.0	43.2%	292 (18.8%)	938 (60.3%)	213 (13.7%)	80 (5.1%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.4%)	23 (1.5%)	84.5	4^th of 146 public high schools	97.3%		80.9	4^th of 127 public high schools	96.9%			30.2				89.7	89.7	30.2	$17,010	$294	$16,716
Western High	Public	9-12	4600 Falls Road	Baltimore	21209	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-7040	1,262	71	17.7	68.3%	31 (2.5%)	1,098 (87.0%)	116 (9.2%)	9 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.3%)	37	95^th of 146 public high schools	34.9%		48.9	59^th of 127 public high schools	53.5%	36		12.9				54.0	54.0	12.9	$18,463	$294	$18,169
Academy for College and Career Exploration	Public	6-12	1300 W 36th Street	Baltimore	21211	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-7607	902	59	15.2	74.7%	62 (6.9%)	659 (73.1%)	153 (17.0%)	16 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	10 (1.1%)	10	144^th of 146 public high schools	1.4%					(n/a)		5.3	22.2	15.8	20.4	20.8	20.3	8.3	$21,758	$1,287	$20,471
ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School	Public, Charter	6-12	2801 N Dukeland Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-1418	548	36	15.2	85.9%	9 (1.6%)	518 (94.5%)	18 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)								(n/a)	5.7			19.4	21.6	28.0	19.5		$29,749	$1,398	$28,350
Frederick Douglass High	Public	9-12	2301 Gwynns Falls Parkway	Baltimore	21217	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-7821	663	43	15.6	81.3%	6 (0.9%)	589 (88.8%)	62 (9.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)								(n/a)						21.0	21.0		$26,649	$1,796	$24,853
Bard High School Early College	Public	9-12	2801 N Dukeland Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-5040	431	25	17.2	60.1%	38 (8.8%)	358 (83.1%)	26 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.9%)	34.8	106^th of 146 public high schools	27.4%		49.6	57^th of 127 public high schools	55.1%	49		9.8				53.1	53.1	9.8	$19,429	$257	$19,172
Coppin Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	2500 W North Avenue	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-5060	337	20	16.8	76.0%	1 (0.3%)	325 (96.4%)	10 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11.3	143^rd of 146 public high schools	2.1%					(n/a)		5.1				27.2	27.2	5.1	$23,101	$808	$22,293
Forest Park High	Public	9-12	3701 Eldorado Avenue	Baltimore	21207	Baltimore County	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0753	826	48	17.2	71.8%	14 (1.7%)	643 (77.8%)	161 (19.5%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	12.1	141^st of 146 public high schools	3.4%		9.6	125^th of 127 public high schools	1.6%	16		11.1				22.3	22.3	11.1	$21,063	$1,008	$20,055
Baltimore City College	Public	9-12	3220 The Alameda	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6557	1,497	83	18.0	46.2%	241 (16.1%)	974 (65.1%)	210 (14.0%)	27 (1.8%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	36 (2.4%)	60.4	31^st of 146 public high schools	78.8%		55.6	41^st of 127 public high schools	67.7%	10		24.4				70.4	70.4	24.4	$16,781	$291	$16,489
Carver Vocational-Technical High	Public	9-12	2201 Presstman Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0553	1,020	56	18.3	80.9%	16 (1.6%)	969 (95.0%)	29 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.4%)								(n/a)						19.7	19.7		$20,641	$1,497	$19,145

Frequently Asked Questions about Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Is Baltimore Polytechnic Institute a good school?

Yes! Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 4^th of 146 Maryland high schools.

How many students attend Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,555 students attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

What district is Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

What schools feed into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

What is the racial makeup of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute?

Students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute are 60% African American, 19% White, 14% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 1% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.