Top High Schools in Anne Arundel County, MD: How They Compare for College Admissions
November 10, 2025
If you are raising a college-bound student in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, you are operating in one of the most academically accomplished school districts on the East Coast. Anne Arundel County Public Schools serves more than 84,000 students across 19 high schools, spanning communities as different as the waterfront suburbs of Severna Park, the rapidly growing corridors of Crofton and Odenton, and the historic city of Annapolis. That geographic breadth, in turn, means that the college admissions experience varies considerably depending on which school a student attends.
Maryland is one of the strongest public-school states in the country. Approximately 39% of Maryland high schools rank in the top 25% nationally, the fourth-highest ratio in the nation behind only Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Within that already-strong statewide context, Anne Arundel County holds its own. Five AACPS schools consistently rank among Maryland’s top 35 public high schools, and the county’s private school landscape includes two nationally recognized NAIS-member institutions and one of the most prominent Catholic college preparatory schools in the Mid-Atlantic.
Each school in this market, however, differs meaningfully in:
- Academic model and depth of advanced coursework
- How selective colleges interpret and contextualize transcripts from each school
- Counseling bandwidth and individualized application support
- Internal competition and the density of high-achieving peers
- Institutional visibility with admissions offices at selective national universities
The Anne Arundel County Admissions Context
Anne Arundel County is a market that selective college admissions offices know moderately well. In particular, Severna Park High School, Chesapeake Science Point, and the county’s leading independent schools, Key School and Severn School, appear regularly in the application pools of Ivy League institutions and top-20 national universities. Consequently, admissions readers at those institutions have developed clear contextual expectations for applications from the county’s strongest schools.
That familiarity, however, is unevenly distributed. Admissions offices are considerably less familiar with schools like Arundel, South River, or Crofton than they are with Severna Park or the independent schools. As a result, students from those schools face both a lower bar of familiarity and a greater need to contextualize their transcript, course rigor, and extracurricular profile clearly in their applications.
Maryland’s location between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore also shapes the college planning environment in distinctive ways. Students from Anne Arundel County have meaningful access to the University of Maryland’s flagship campus in College Park, one of the strongest public universities in the country, as well as the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Understanding how these in-state and service academy options fit within a broader, strategically balanced college list is a question that most AACPS families will need to address thoughtfully.
Top AACPS Public High Schools
AACPS Public High Schools at a Glance
| School | MD State Rank | National Rank | Enrollment | AP Participation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severna Park High School | #6 | #384 | ~1,817 | 74% | 98% |
| Chesapeake Science Point Charter | #13 | — | ~1,183 | — | — |
| South River High School | #15 | #839 | ~1,634 | 72% | 96% |
| Crofton High School | #27 | — | — | — | 98% |
| Arundel High School | #46 | #1,371 | — | — | — |
| Annapolis High School | #59 | #3,039 | — | 59% | — |
| Broadneck High School | #19 | #913 | ~2,172 | 59% | 97% |
Severna Park High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Severna Park, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #6 |
| National Rank (U.S. News) | #384 |
| Enrollment (Grades 9–12) | ~1,817 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 20:1 |
| AP Courses Offered | 26 |
| Total Courses Offered | 70 |
| AP Participation Rate | 74% |
| Average SAT | 1280 |
| Average ACT | 29 |
| Average GPA | 3.67 |
| Graduation Rate | 98% |
| Notable Designations | National Blue Ribbon School; Green School |
| Notable Programs | AP, Project Lead The Way, Gifted and Talented |
Academic Strength and AP Depth
Severna Park High School is the highest-ranked comprehensive public high school in Anne Arundel County and the sixth-ranked public high school in Maryland by U.S. News. It is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a designated Green School, two recognitions that signal sustained academic and institutional quality. The school’s 74% AP participation rate and catalog of 26 AP courses are among the strongest of any large comprehensive public school in the state. The average SAT of 1280 and average ACT of 29 further reflect consistent academic preparation well above state and national norms.
The school opened a newly constructed building in 2017 and now offers 70 total courses across college preparatory, vocational, and special education tracks, giving students an extensive menu of academic options. Project Lead The Way engineering pathways and a strong Gifted and Talented program, moreover, serve students with specific technical interests. Students and parents consistently describe the school as highly competitive internally, noting that AP course enrollment and grade expectations create a demanding but motivating academic culture.
College Placement and Admissions Context
Approximately 98% of Severna Park graduates plan to attend college. The school’s name carries clear recognition with admissions offices at selective colleges throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Admissions offices that are familiar with AACPS rank Severna Park as the county’s most credible public school for selective college placement.
From a college admissions standpoint: Severna Park is the most consistently recognized public school in Anne Arundel County for selective college outcomes. Nevertheless, the school is large and internally competitive, and standing out within a highly qualified peer group requires deliberate and early strategic planning. Students targeting the most selective universities should, accordingly, begin building differentiated profiles in ninth grade and develop a clear extracurricular focus well before junior year.
Broadneck High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Arnold/Cape St. Claire, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #19 |
| National Rank (U.S. News) | #913 |
| Enrollment (Grades 9–12) | ~2,172 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 19:1 |
| AP Courses Offered | 30 |
| AP Participation Rate | 59% |
| Graduation Rate | 97% |
| Notable Programs | AP Capstone, Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) magnet |
| Notable Alumni | Matthew Centrowitz Jr. (Olympic gold medalist, 1500m, 2016) |
AP Breadth and Special Programs
Broadneck High School ranks #19 in Maryland and offers 30 AP courses, exceeding both the Maryland state average of 18 and the county average of 24. The AP Capstone program is a particular strength, giving motivated students a two-year independent research sequence that produces the kind of sustained intellectual engagement selective admissions offices reward. The Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) magnet program is open to all AACPS students countywide, drawing talented students from across the county specifically to Broadneck’s campus.
Arts, Athletics, and College Placement
Broadneck is consistently ranked in the top 2% of all public high schools nationally by Newsweek, and approximately 98% of its graduates go on to college. The school’s PVA program produces some of the most distinctive application profiles in the county, particularly for students whose artistic identity is central to their academic narrative. Notable alumni include Matthew Centrowitz Jr., an Olympic gold medalist who won the 1500 meters at the 2016 Rio Games.
From a college admissions standpoint: Broadneck is, in many respects, comparable to Severna Park in terms of college placement outcomes. Its AP breadth, PVA magnet distinction, and national recognition make it a genuine platform for selective college admission. Students who leverage the PVA program alongside strong AP performance can, in particular, present unusually specific and compelling application profiles. As at any large school, however, standing out within a highly qualified peer group requires deliberate early strategic planning.
South River High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Edgewater, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #15 |
| National Rank (U.S. News) | #839 |
| Enrollment (Grades 9–12) | ~1,634 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 16:1 |
| AP Participation Rate | 72% |
| Math Proficiency (MCAP) | 60% |
| Reading Proficiency (MCAP) | 66% |
| Graduation Rate | 96% |
| Notable Programs | STEM magnet, AP, Honors, dual enrollment |
South River High School ranks #15 in Maryland, placing it above Broadneck in overall state standing. It is, notably, one of the most underappreciated schools in the AACPS lineup, offering a 72% AP participation rate that is second only to Severna Park among the county’s comprehensive public schools. The STEM magnet program integrates project-based learning, career exploration, internships, and job shadows in ways that produce application profiles with genuine technical depth. Additionally, South River’s 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio is more favorable than both Severna Park’s and Broadneck’s, enabling somewhat more individualized academic attention across the student body.
From a college admissions standpoint: South River is a strong and strategically valuable option for STEM-oriented students in particular. Its state ranking slightly exceeds Broadneck’s, and the STEM focus gives students with technical interests a specific and coherent foundation for college applications. Moreover, students who engage deeply with the STEM program, pursue related extracurriculars, and build a clear academic identity around technology, science, or engineering are particularly well positioned at research-oriented universities.
Crofton High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Crofton, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #27 |
| Graduation Rate | 98% |
| Opened | 2022 |
Crofton High School is the newest comprehensive high school in Anne Arundel County, having opened in 2022 to serve the growing Crofton community north of Annapolis. It ranks #27 in Maryland and already carries a 98% graduation rate. The school offers AP and honors coursework and is growing quickly in both enrollment and academic programming as its first class cohorts mature. For families in the Crofton area, the school is an improving and increasingly strong option for college-bound students. As the school matures and its AP offerings deepen, its college placement track record will become clearer.
Arundel High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Gambrills/Odenton, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #46 |
| National Rank (U.S. News) | #1,371 |
| GreatSchools Rating | 9/10 (College Readiness: 9/10) |
| SchoolDigger Rank | #18 in Maryland (2023); #2 best comprehensive in AACPS |
| National Ranking (U.S. News, 2025) | Top 10% of U.S. public high schools |
Arundel High School is frequently cited as the second-best comprehensive public high school in Anne Arundel County, behind Severna Park. Its GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10, with a college readiness rating of 9 out of 10, reflects genuine institutional strength. In 2025, U.S. News ranked Arundel in the top 10% of all public high schools in the United States. The school serves the rapidly growing communities of Odenton and Gambrills and draws a student body that is notably more socioeconomically varied than those at Severna Park or Broadneck, which gives Arundel the second-highest equity rating of all non-charter public high schools in the county on GreatSchools.
From a college admissions standpoint: Arundel is a strong and underappreciated comprehensive school that reads well to admissions offices familiar with its context. Students who pursue deep AP coursework and build meaningful extracurricular profiles at Arundel can reach competitive four-year colleges. Those targeting highly selective institutions should, additionally, invest in outside college counseling support early and be intentional about narrative development from ninth grade forward.
Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School
Charter (STEM) · Hanover, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #13 |
| Enrollment | ~1,183 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 20:1 |
| Focus | STEM |
| Admission | Open-enrollment lottery |
Chesapeake Science Point ranks #13 in Maryland, making it the second-ranked institution in all of AACPS and the highest-ranked STEM-focused school in the county. It draws students from across Anne Arundel County through an open-enrollment lottery and offers a focused STEM curriculum that creates conditions for the kind of deep technical engagement selective universities reward. For students with a strong STEM identity who want a more specialized environment than a large comprehensive public school provides, Chesapeake Science Point is worth serious consideration.
Annapolis High School (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
Public · Annapolis, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| MD State Rank (U.S. News) | #59 |
| National Rank (U.S. News) | #3,039 |
| AP Participation Rate | 59% |
| IB Programme | IB Middle Years Programme + IB Diploma Programme |
| IB Status | Authorized IB World School (one of three in AACPS) |
Annapolis High School is frequently overlooked in county-wide comparisons, yet it offers one of the most distinctive academic assets in all of AACPS: a full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It is, in fact, one of only three AACPS schools authorized to offer the IB DP, alongside Meade and Old Mill. That designation matters considerably for college-bound students who pursue the IB track. The program requires a 4,000-word Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and 150 Creativity, Activity, and Service hours, producing the kind of independently motivated, globally minded academic profile that selective colleges value.
From a college admissions standpoint: Annapolis High is a more nuanced school than its national ranking suggests. A motivated IB Diploma student from Annapolis High, with strong Higher Level exam scores and a compelling personal narrative rooted in the city’s history or civic life, is genuinely competitive at selective institutions. The school’s 59% AP participation rate and broader extracurricular programs give non-IB students solid college preparatory options as well. For a full treatment of Annapolis High School’s profile, see our companion article Top High Schools in the Annapolis, MD Area.
Independent and Faith-Based Schools
Anne Arundel County Independent Schools at a Glance
| School | Grades | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio | Avg Class Size | HYPSM Rate | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key School | PK–12 | ~650–666 | 5–6:1 | 13–16 | ~5% | NAIS |
| Severn School | PS–12 | ~906 | ~7:1 | 14 | — | NAIS, AIMS |
| Indian Creek School | PK–12 | ~666 | ~7:1 | 13 | — | Independent |
| Archbishop Spalding High School | 9–12 | ~1,304 | 14:1 | 20 | — | Catholic |
Key School
Independent · Annapolis, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Grades | PK–12 |
| Enrollment | ~650–666 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 5:1–6:1 |
| Average Class Size | 13–16 |
| HYPSM Matriculation Rate | ~5% |
| Top-25 University Rate | ~17% |
| Top-50 University Rate | ~6.5% |
| Affiliation | NAIS member; progressive inquiry-based model |
| Campus | 15 acres, 4 miles from downtown Annapolis |
Academic Philosophy and Model
Key School is Anne Arundel County’s highest-ranked private school and one of the most academically distinctive institutions in the region. Founded in 1958 and situated on a 15-acre campus four miles from downtown Annapolis, it serves approximately 650 to 666 students from preschool through grade 12. The school’s 5:1 to 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio is exceptional by any standard and enables the kind of close faculty-student relationships that produce strong teacher recommendation letters. Key is, furthermore, a NAIS member operating on an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary academic model that differs meaningfully from the traditional AP-heavy approach of most area schools.
The school does not emphasize AP volume as its primary academic signal. Instead, deep project-based work, sustained inquiry across disciplines, and the cultivation of intellectual independence define the academic experience. That philosophy, in turn, produces students who are articulate, independently motivated, and capable of sustained intellectual engagement, qualities that resonate powerfully in selective college admissions.
College Outcomes and Admissions Considerations
Key School’s HYPSM matriculation rate of approximately 5% and top-25 university rate of approximately 17% reflect strong and consistent college placement outcomes. The school’s progressive model means that students’ transcripts look different from standard AP-heavy applications. That difference, however, when contextualized well, is not a liability. Admissions offices at selective colleges that know Key understand the rigor of its program. Students, accordingly, should be prepared to articulate their learning experience clearly and compellingly in essays and interviews.
From a college admissions standpoint: Key School is the strongest independent school option in Anne Arundel County for students targeting highly selective colleges. Its NAIS membership, strong placement outcomes, and distinctive academic philosophy place it in the top tier of the region’s independent school landscape. Students who choose Key and are targeting the most selective universities should engage closely with the school’s college counseling program from ninth grade and build external recognition through competitions and community engagement to supplement the school’s rigorous but non-AP curriculum.
Severn School
Independent · Severna Park, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Grades | Preschool–12 |
| Enrollment | ~906 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~7:1 |
| AP Courses Offered | 24 |
| Financial Aid | ~$3 million awarded annually |
| Affiliation | NAIS, AIMS member |
| Founded | 1914 (originally to prepare students for USNA) |
| Notable Alumni | James Monroe (President); Roger B. Taney (Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court) |
History, Programs, and Campus
Severn School is the most established and comprehensive independent school in Anne Arundel County, founded in 1914 originally to prepare students for the United States Naval Academy. Today, it operates as a full college preparatory day school serving approximately 906 students across two campuses: the 4-acre Chesapeake Campus in Arnold for Lower School students and the 19-acre Teel Campus in Severna Park for Middle and Upper School students. The Teel Campus includes the Teel Academic Center, Graw Innovation Center, Stine Environmental Center on the Severn River, and four athletic fields. The school’s signature Fellows project allows seniors to pursue a year-long independent inquiry into a topic of their own choosing, producing the kind of sustained, faculty-mentored intellectual work that resonates deeply with selective admissions offices.
Financial Aid and College Placement
Severn awarded nearly $3 million in need-based financial aid last year, making the school more financially accessible than the sticker price suggests. The school ranks, moreover, in the top 20% of Maryland private schools for highest average SAT, highest average ACT, and most AP courses offered. Admissions offices at Ivy League and top-20 institutions are familiar with the school’s academic profile and consistently see graduates who are well-prepared for college-level academic demands.
From a college admissions standpoint: Severn is the most comprehensive traditional independent school option in the county, well suited to students who want the full breadth of an independent school experience, including strong athletics, extensive AP access, and a supportive college-counseling environment. The Fellows project, in particular, is a distinctive differentiator for students who engage with it seriously. Students who combine strong academics with genuine extracurricular depth and a well-developed personal narrative are well positioned at a wide range of institutions.
Indian Creek School
Independent · Crownsville, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Grades | PK–12 |
| Enrollment | ~666 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~7:1 |
| Average Class Size | 13 |
| Campus | 114 acres, central Anne Arundel County |
| Affiliation | Independent; college preparatory |
Indian Creek School is located on a 114-acre campus in Crownsville, central Anne Arundel County. It serves approximately 666 students in a community-oriented environment that places particular emphasis on kindness, well-being, and academic excellence alongside traditional college preparation. The school’s 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and average class size of 13 enable the close mentorship relationships that produce strong recommendation letters and individualized college counseling. Indian Creek is consistently ranked as one of the top three private schools in Anne Arundel County.
From a college admissions standpoint: Indian Creek is a strong option for families seeking an independent school experience in a somewhat less competitive, more nurturing environment than Key School or Severn. Students who engage fully with the school’s academic offerings and extracurricular life can reach competitive four-year colleges. The school’s college counseling is individualized, and the small class sizes create conditions for genuine mentorship throughout the application process.
Archbishop Spalding High School
Catholic · Severn, MD
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | ~1,304 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 14:1 |
| Average Class Size | 20 |
| Campus | 52 acres, Severn, MD |
| Scholarships Available | Music, sports, academic merit |
| Affiliation | Catholic (Archdiocese of Baltimore) |
Archbishop Spalding High School is the largest private high school in Anne Arundel County, serving approximately 1,304 students on a 52-acre campus in Severn. The school welcomes students from more than 110 Catholic, private, and public elementary and middle schools across the greater Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. areas, giving it one of the broadest geographic draws of any school in the county. The school is co-educational, firmly college preparatory, and offers AP coursework alongside a strong athletics program and a wide range of scholarships in music, sports, and academics. Alumni consistently note that the school prepares them well for college-level academic demands.
From a college admissions standpoint: Archbishop Spalding is a solid and well-regarded Catholic college preparatory option for families across the county. Its broad scholarship availability makes it accessible to a wide range of families, and motivated students with clear AP records and compelling extracurricular profiles regularly reach competitive four-year universities. Students targeting highly selective national institutions should, additionally, pursue outside college counseling support and invest in strong test preparation.
How College Transitions Helps Anne Arundel County Families
College Transitions works with students from across Anne Arundel County, including students from Severna Park, Broadneck, South River, Crofton, Arundel, Annapolis High, Chesapeake Science Point, Key School, Severn School, Indian Creek, Archbishop Spalding, and other public and independent schools throughout the county. We help families understand:
- How selective colleges interpret applicants from specific AACPS schools
- Which academic choices carry the most admissions weight for a given student’s target institutions
- Where internal competition at a given school is most intense
- How to build differentiated extracurricular and personal narratives in a strong Mid-Atlantic market
- How the Naval Academy, University of Maryland, and other in-state options factor into a balanced and strategic college list
Final Thoughts
Anne Arundel County offers a genuinely strong and varied secondary-school landscape across public, charter, independent, and faith-based environments. Students can reach highly selective colleges from several different starting points. In each case, however, success depends on the alignment between a student’s profile, school environment, and admissions strategy.
Severna Park leads the AACPS public schools in AP depth, national recognition, and selective college placement outcomes. South River, meanwhile, is a strong and underappreciated option for STEM-oriented students with a 72% AP participation rate. Broadneck’s PVA magnet, AP Capstone, and national recognition make it a compelling peer school to Severna Park for students whose profiles include arts or research. Arundel is a consistently strong comprehensive school with a 9/10 college readiness rating that belies its mid-county profile. Key School, for its part, offers the strongest independent school pathway in the county for students targeting highly selective institutions. Severn delivers the most traditional and comprehensive independent school experience, while Indian Creek and Archbishop Spalding serve students seeking community-oriented, values-driven environments.
Wherever your student attends, College Transitions helps families in Anne Arundel County turn strong academic options into clear, differentiated admissions plans.
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