The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Perry Hall Middle
Perry Hall Middle is a regular public school in Baltimore County serving grades six through eight, and it is a large middle school by enrollment. It sits within the Baltimore County Public Schools system, a large suburban district that has undertaken several recent district-wide changes. The school draws from the Perry Hall area, a northeastern section of Baltimore County that is part of the broader Baltimore metropolitan region, not the city of Baltimore itself despite the city in the address. Baltimore is a post-industrial city with a service-oriented economy anchored by Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, a major port, and cultural anchors like the Inner Harbor, Oriole Park, and the National Aquarium. The city’s population has seen a modest decline in recent years, and a major infrastructure project is underway to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The school’s housing market shows that homes in the area are priced somewhat below the statewide benchmark, with rents rising modestly, making it a relatively accessible part of the region for families.
Perry Hall Middle has a racially and economically diverse student body. The largest racial group is white students, followed by a substantial share of Black students and a notable Asian student population, with smaller numbers of students identifying as two or more races, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. More than a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a moderate level of economic need. The school is regular and non-charter, and the data did not specify whether it holds magnet or Title I status.
Academically, the picture is mixed. In English language arts, the school performs at a solid level across all three grades, with a majority of students scoring proficient or above in each grade. Sixth grade posts the highest proficiency rate, with seventh and eighth grades close behind. This is a clear strength, and the overall performance in ELA across the school suggests reading and writing instruction are working well for most students. In math, the numbers are much lower. Sixth grade shows roughly a third of students at proficiency, but the rate drops sharply in seventh grade and falls further in eighth grade, where only a very small share of students meet the bar. Science proficiency for eighth graders sits around the middle, with a bit more than two out of every five students scoring proficient. Social studies for eighth graders shows a majority at proficiency. The steep decline in math performance from sixth to eighth grade is a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school, as it suggests a pattern where students are struggling increasingly with math as they move through the middle grades. The school also offers advanced coursework in algebra I and geometry, with proficiency rates for both around the same modest level, meaning that students who take these courses are achieving at a similar rate to the general math population.
The school environment data was limited. The district has implemented several recent changes that affect all schools. Baltimore County Public Schools adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading starting in the 2023-2024 school year, which will reach middle school students who came through that pipeline. The district also approved boundary changes for several high school feeder systems, including Dulaney and Loch Raven, that took effect in the 2025-2026 school year, which may affect which high school Perry Hall Middle students eventually attend. A new district-wide cell phone policy restricts phone use during instructional time for middle school students, who must keep phones stored and silenced all day. The district is also implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a multi-year state plan that expands pre-K, raises teacher salaries, and aims to improve college and career readiness with additional state funding. Voters approved a bond issue for school safety and security improvements, including secure entrances and cameras, which apply across all schools.
The comparison data against other districts in Baltimore County was too limited to position the school, as the county has only one district, so no peer comparison is available here. Civil rights data, discipline data, attendance, and staffing information were not available in the profile. Perry Hall Middle is a large, diverse school where ELA is a clear strength and math is a significant challenge, particularly in the later grades. Families who want a school with solid reading and writing outcomes and are prepared for the math gap, or who want to work with the school on math support, may find this fits their needs. The school sits within a large district that is actively making changes to curriculum, discipline policy, and safety, so families should also factor in those ongoing district-wide shifts.
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