Bel Air High

Q: Is Bel Air High a good school?

Bel Air High ranks 56 th of 146 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Bel Air High is a public high school in Bel Air, Maryland, serving 1,489 students in grades 9-12 and part of the Harford County Public Schools district, which is ranked 9th out of 25 districts in Maryland.

Bel Air High consistently outperforms the district and state averages in English Language Arts proficiency, with 68.7% of 10th-grade students and 68.7% of all grades proficient or better, compared to 53.7% and 56.7% for Harford County, and 55.3% and 48.4% for the state. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with 71.73% of students identifying as White, in contrast to nearby schools like Aberdeen High and Edgewood High, which have more diverse student bodies. Additionally, Bel Air High has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (21.69%) compared to schools like Joppatowne High (72.87%).

While Bel Air High's spending per student ($12,658) is slightly higher than the state average, it is lower than some nearby schools, such as Center for Educational Opportunity ($32,127) and Joppatowne High ($14,663). This suggests that resource allocation may not be entirely equitable across the district, and further analysis would be needed to understand the factors driving these variations and how they impact student outcomes.

Detail:

Public 9-12

100 Heighe St
Bel Air, MD 21014-4196

(410) 638-4600

District: Harford County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
56^th of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,462

Feeder schools for Bel Air High:

Elementary:	Emmorton Elementary
Middle:	Bel Air Middle

Student/teacher ratio: 16.3

Number of students: 1,489

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.7%

African American:

9.3%

Hispanic:

7.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 21.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Bel Air High ranks better than 61.6% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks first among 9 ranked high schools in the Harford County Public Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.46. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Bel Air High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Racial makeup is: White (71.7%), African American (9.3%), Hispanic (7.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 21.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bel Air High is 16.3. 7 high schools in the Harford County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Bel Air High employs 91.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bel Air High is $15,462. 7 high schools in the Harford County Public Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Bel Air High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Bel Air High 56^th of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Bel Air High in the ranking list.)

Harford County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Harford County Public Schools 9^th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Bel Air High

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile
2004	54.65	51^st	201	74.6%
2005	73.46	19^th	204	90.7%
2006	70.24	45^th	204	77.9%
2007	77.27	22^nd	209	89.5%
2008	79.79	31^st	214	85.5%
2009	78.41	37^th	213	82.6%
2010	74.09	64^th	220	70.9%
2011	76.08	40^th	183	78.1%
2012	73.38	55^th	187	70.6%
2013	76.33	37^th	185	80.0%
2014	77.69	53^rd	231	77.1%
2015	69.06	44^th	233	81.1%
2016	72.94	31^st	233	86.7%
2017	55.50	66^th	180	63.3%
2018	60.99	50^th	197	74.6%
2019	60.69	45^th	138	67.4%
2022	42.15	103^rd	225	54.2%
2023	62.19	27^th	127	78.7%
2024	50.46	56^th	146	61.6%

See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

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

Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Bel Air High

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	1006	40	21	13	2	n/a	n/a	0	1082
1990	1011	37	26	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	1087
1991	1062	37	23	10	4	n/a	n/a	-3	1133
1992	1069	36	31	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	1143
1993	1156	39	28	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	1238
1994	1187	46	28	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	1272
1995	1217	48	37	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	1312
1996	1217	48	37	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	1312
1997	1274	50	40	14	5	n/a	n/a	0	1383
1998	1326	48	46	16	4	n/a	n/a	0	1440
1999	1409	48	40	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	1524
2000	1426	62	43	22	2	n/a	n/a	0	1555
2001	1456	58	52	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	1587
2002	1426	70	53	18	6	n/a	n/a	0	1573
2003	1426	70	53	18	6	n/a	n/a	0	1573
2004	1485	71	52	31	8	n/a	n/a	0	1647
2005	1468	73	57	29	9	n/a	n/a	0	1636
2006	1448	92	55	36	8	n/a	n/a	0	1639
2007	1471	104	60	40	8	n/a	n/a	0	1683
2008	1217	93	54	34	5	n/a	n/a	0	1403
2009	1203	84	48	39	6	n/a	n/a	0	1380
2010	1218	95	60	53	5	n/a	n/a	0	1431
2011	1299	85	69	76	4	0	41	0	1574
2012	1326	92	70	83	2	1	59	0	1633
2013	1336	88	72	86	2	2	61	0	1647
2014	1320	104	76	91	3	0	61	0	1655
2015	1313	115	81	92	0	1	66	0	1668
2016	1248	96	83	85	0	2	67	0	1581
2017	1227	100	92	76	0	2	67	0	1564
2018	1193	107	108	75	1	1	70	0	1555
2019	1175	114	111	88	3	0	53	0	1544
2020	1163	123	113	102	2	1	56	0	1560
2021	1146	121	119	102	2	4	63	0	1557
2022	1103	142	111	97	3	4	59	3	1522
2023	1068	139	101	110	2	3	63	3	1489

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 Bel Air High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1082	64.5	16.7	n/a
1990	1087	65.5	16.5	0.5
1991	1133	63.5	17.8	0.6
1992	1143	65.5	17.4	1.2
1993	1238	67.5	18.3	1.1
1994	1272	73.0	17.4	2.7
1995	1312	74.0	17.7	2.1
1996	1312	74.0	17.7	2.1
1997	1383	75.5	18.3	3
1998	1440	82.5	17.5	2.2
1999	1524	82.5	18.5	3.6
2000	1555	87.0	17.9	2.8
2001	1587	90.0	17.6	2.6
2002	1573	91.0	17.3	3.8
2003	1573	91.0	17.3	3.8
2004	1647	80.0	20.6	3.7
2005	1636	85.0	19.2	5.3
2006	1639	89.0	18.4	5.8
2007	1683	105.0	16.0	7.7
2008	1403	91.3	15.4	7.8
2009	1380	90.3	15.3	8.3
2010	1431	89.3	16.0	10.3
2011	1574	92.3	17.0	10.3
2012	1633	97.3	16.7	11
2013	1647	96.4	17.0	11.9
2014	1655	99.3	16.6	12.6
2015	1668	97.0	17.1	12.5
2016	1581	98.0	16.1	12.3
2017	1564	98.3	15.9	11.4
2018	1555	95.3	16.3	11.7
2019	1544	95.3	16.1	13.3
2020	1560	91.2	17.0	10.9
2021	1557	91.3	17.0	14
2022	1522	91.3	16.6	15.6
2023	1489	91.3	16.3	21.7

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 Bel Air High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1082	64.5	16.7	n/a
1990	1087	65.5	16.5	0.5
1991	1133	63.5	17.8	0.6
1992	1143	65.5	17.4	1.2
1993	1238	67.5	18.3	1.1
1994	1272	73.0	17.4	2.7
1995	1312	74.0	17.7	2.1
1996	1312	74.0	17.7	2.1
1997	1383	75.5	18.3	3
1998	1440	82.5	17.5	2.2
1999	1524	82.5	18.5	3.6
2000	1555	87.0	17.9	2.8
2001	1587	90.0	17.6	2.6
2002	1573	91.0	17.3	3.8
2003	1573	91.0	17.3	3.8
2004	1647	80.0	20.6	3.7
2005	1636	85.0	19.2	5.3
2006	1639	89.0	18.4	5.8
2007	1683	105.0	16.0	7.7
2008	1403	91.3	15.4	7.8
2009	1380	90.3	15.3	8.3
2010	1431	89.3	16.0	10.3
2011	1574	92.3	17.0	10.3
2012	1633	97.3	16.7	11
2013	1647	96.4	17.0	11.9
2014	1655	99.3	16.6	12.6
2015	1668	97.0	17.1	12.5
2016	1581	98.0	16.1	12.3
2017	1564	98.3	15.9	11.4
2018	1555	95.3	16.3	11.7
2019	1544	95.3	16.1	13.3
2020	1560	91.2	17.0	10.9
2021	1557	91.3	17.0	14
2022	1522	91.3	16.6	15.6
2023	1489	91.3	16.3	21.7

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 Bel Air High

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$705 (5.9%)	$11,312 (94.1%)	$12,017
2020	$701 (5.9%)	$11,244 (94.1%)	$11,946
2021	$1,330 (10.5%)	$11,328 (89.5%)	$12,658
2022	$1,731 (12.5%)	$12,149 (87.5%)	$13,879
2023	$1,394 (9.0%)	$14,067 (91.0%)	$15,462

Data source: Maryland Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bel Air High

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 45^th of 138 High schools	Ranks 27^th of 127 High schools	11.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1544	1489	3.6%
African American	114	139	21.9%
American Indian	3	2	33.3%
Asian	111	101	9%
Hispanic	88	110	25%
Pacific Islander	0	3
White	1175	1068	9.1%
Two or More Races	53	63	18.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	13.3%	21.7%	8.4%

Schools Near Bel Air High

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)	MCAP Algebra II (2024)	MCAP Geometry (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 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	MCAP Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bel Air High	Public	9-12	100 Heighe St	Bel Air	21014	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 638-4600	1,489	91	16.3	21.7%	1,068 (71.7%)	139 (9.3%)	110 (7.4%)	101 (6.8%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	63 (4.2%)	50.5	56^th of 146 public high schools	61.6%		62.2	27^th of 127 public high schools	78.7%	29	13.1				68.7	68.7	9.4	30.8		$15,462	$1,394	$14,067
Patterson Mill High School	Public	9-12	85 Patterson Mill Rd	Bel Air	21015	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 638-4640	819	53	15.3	24.2%	539 (65.8%)	81 (9.9%)	71 (8.7%)	58 (7.1%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.6%)	64 (7.8%)	39.8	89^th of 146 public high schools	39.0%		62	28^th of 127 public high schools	78.0%	61	14.1				62.6	62.6	12.1	32.1		$17,734	$1,579	$16,154
C. Milton Wright High	Public	9-12	1301 N Fountain Green Rd	Bel Air	21015	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 638-4110	1,266	84	15.0	22.7%	955 (75.4%)	98 (7.7%)	74 (5.8%)	67 (5.3%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (5.2%)	34.7	109^th of 146 public high schools	25.3%		46.2	68^th of 127 public high schools	46.5%	41	18.9				52.9	52.9	15.0	33.6	6.4	$16,117	$1,390	$14,728
Fallston High	Public	9-12	2301 Carrs Mill Rd	Fallston	21047	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 638-4120	1,044	61	17.0	13.6%	876 (83.9%)	41 (3.9%)	50 (4.8%)	27 (2.6%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	42 (4.0%)	44.7	75^th of 146 public high schools	48.6%		65.4	21^st of 127 public high schools	83.5%	54	13.2				68.3	68.3	12.1	38.0		$15,885	$1,351	$14,534
Harford Technical High	Public, Magnet	9-12	200 Thomas Run Rd	Bel Air	21015	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 638-3804	979	63	15.6	22.2%	679 (69.4%)	123 (12.6%)	75 (7.7%)	33 (3.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	60 (6.1%)	45.6	69^th of 146 public high schools	52.7%		50.2	55^th of 127 public high schools	56.7%	14	18.9				74.5	74.5	19.6	25.7		$16,436	$1,334	$15,102
Joppatowne High	Public, Magnet	9-12	555 Joppa Farm Rd	Joppa	21085	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 612-1510	833	55	15.0	72.9%	204 (24.5%)	443 (53.2%)	97 (11.6%)	10 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	74 (8.9%)								(n/a)					34.7	34.7				$17,635	$1,962	$15,672
Edgewood High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2415 Willoughby Beach Rd	Edgewood	21040	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 612-1500	1,415	93	15.2	62.3%	387 (27.3%)	662 (46.8%)	198 (14.0%)	45 (3.2%)	6 (0.4%)	4 (0.3%)	113 (8.0%)	21.9	132^nd of 146 public high schools	9.6%		36.5	96^th of 127 public high schools	24.4%	36	6.6				44.5	44.5	6.2	16.2		$15,657	$1,612	$14,045
Aberdeen High	Public, Magnet	9-12	251 Paradise Rd	Aberdeen	21001	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 273-5500	1,495	101	14.7	53.4%	466 (31.2%)	600 (40.1%)	197 (13.2%)	73 (4.9%)	6 (0.4%)	4 (0.3%)	144 (9.6%)	22.7	130^th of 146 public high schools	11.0%		57.2	37^th of 127 public high schools	70.9%	93	9.2				40.9	40.9	5.2	38.3		$15,295	$1,567	$13,729
Center for Educational Opportunity	Public, Virtual	6-12	253 Paradise Rd	Aberdeen	21001	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(410) 273-5594	39	20	1.9	84.6%	13 (33.3%)	22 (56.4%)	2 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.1%)								(n/a)		20.0	22.0	9.1	19.5	17.8
North Harford High	Public, Magnet	9-12	211 Pylesville Rd	Pylesville	21132	Harford County	Harford County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 638-3650	1,221	74	16.4	23.7%	1,097 (89.8%)	28 (2.3%)	40 (3.3%)	12 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	35 (2.9%)	34.8	107^th of 146 public high schools	26.7%		40.3	82^nd of 127 public high schools	35.4%	25	15.2				60.9	60.9	13.5	27.5	8.4	$15,775	$1,342	$14,433

Frequently Asked Questions about Bel Air High

How many students attend Bel Air High?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,489 students attended Bel Air High.

What schools feed into Bel Air High?

Bel Air High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Emmorton Elementary
Middle : Bel Air Middle

What district is Bel Air High in?

Harford County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Bel Air High?

Students at Bel Air High are 72% White, 9% African American, 7% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

Is Bel Air High a good school?

Bel Air High ranks 56^th of 146 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Bel Air High!

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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.