For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 5,122 students in Washington County, MD.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Washington County, MD are Smithsburg Middle School, Boonsboro Middle School and Clear Spring Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Washington County, MD public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Maryland public middle school average of 19%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 42% statewide average). Middle schools in Washington County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Maryland public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Maryland public middle school average of 72% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Washington County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Smithsburg Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
68 N Main St
Smithsburg, MD 21783
(301) 766-8353
Smithsburg, MD 21783
(301) 766-8353
Gr: 6-8 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Boonsboro Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 J-h Wade Dr
Boonsboro, MD 21713
(301) 766-8038
Boonsboro, MD 21713
(301) 766-8038
Gr: 6-8 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Clear Spring Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
12628 Broadfording Rd
Clear Spring, MD 21722
(301) 766-8094
Clear Spring, MD 21722
(301) 766-8094
Gr: 6-8 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Springfield Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
334 Sunset Ave
Williamsport, MD 21795
(301) 766-8389
Williamsport, MD 21795
(301) 766-8389
Gr: 6-8 | 808 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Marshall Street School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Marshall St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8214
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8214
Gr: PK-12 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #66.
E. Russell Hicks Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1321 S Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8110
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8110
Gr: 6-8 | 841 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #77.
Northern Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
701 Northern Ave
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 766-8258
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 766-8258
Gr: 6-8 | 841 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Hancock Middle Senior High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
289 W Main St
Hancock, MD 21750
(301) 766-8186
Hancock, MD 21750
(301) 766-8186
Gr: 6-12 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Western Heights Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Marshall St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8403
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8403
Gr: 6-8 | 883 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Washington County, MD?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Washington County, MD include Smithsburg Middle School, Boonsboro Middle School and Clear Spring Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Washington County?
9 public middle schools are located in Washington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Washington County?
Washington County public middle schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Maryland public middle schools average of 72% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Washington County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Washington County include: E. Russell Hicks Middle School vs. Boonsboro Middle School, Western Heights Middle School vs. Northern Middle School, Clear Spring Middle School vs. Boonsboro Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.