Harford County MD Schools: How to Check Any School

by Josh Tessier

The short answer: Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) runs all 55 public schools in the county, per the Maryland Manual. Your home address sets your school. To judge a school, read its page on the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) School Report Card, which gives every school a star rating from 1 to 5. Then use the HCPS School and Bus Locator to confirm which schools serve a home.

By Josh Tessier, Lee Tessier Team of eXp Realty. 500+ homes sold personally (5,800+ for the Lee Tessier Team)

"Which schools are best?" is the first question many families ask me. As a Realtor, I don't rank schools or steer anyone to a town because of them. What I can do is show you where the official data lives and how to read it. Then you decide.

HCPS by the Numbers

Fact	Number	Source
Public schools	55	Maryland Manual, Harford County Education
High schools	10	Maryland Manual
Middle schools	9	Maryland Manual
Elementary schools	34	Maryland Manual
Students	37,771 in Fiscal 2025	Maryland Manual
Students, Sept. 30, 2025	37,398 (preliminary)	HCPS enrollment report

The Maryland Manual also lists one combined school and Harford Academy, which offers special education.

Step 1: Find the School for an Address

HCPS says families must live in a school's attendance area to enroll there. Use the HCPS School and Bus Locator and type in the home's address. HCPS Transportation can help at 410-638-4092.

Boundaries can change. Check the address again before you make an offer.

Step 2: Read the Official Report Card

The MSDE Maryland School Report Card posts data for every public school in the state. It includes a star rating, test results, attendance and graduation rates. Look up each school by name.

Step 3: Visit and Ask

Call the school. Ask about class sizes, programs and how new students get settled. HCPS offers full-day kindergarten in each elementary school, per its registration page. Children must be 5 on or before September 1 for kindergarten.

What About GreatSchools and Niche?

Sites like GreatSchools and Niche publish their own school ratings. They use their own methods. If you read them, note the source and the date, and compare them with the MSDE Report Card.

Registering Your Child

HCPS lists the steps on its registration page: check age rules, collect the documents in its admission procedure, and register online. Then call the school to finish registration.

After High School

Harford Community College, near Bel Air, opened in 1957, per the Maryland Manual.

My Advice

Look at the actual school, not just the number. Visit, talk to the front office and read the full report card, not only the star rating. And confirm the school for your exact address before you sign a contract, not after.

Harford County Schools FAQ

How many schools are in Harford County, MD?

Harford County Public Schools has 55 schools: 10 high schools, 9 middle schools, 34 elementary schools, one combined school and Harford Academy, per the Maryland Manual.

How many high schools are in Harford County?

10, per the Maryland Manual.

How do I find my school by address?

Use the HCPS School and Bus Locator on hcps.org, or call HCPS Transportation at 410-638-4092.

Where can I see official school ratings?

The MSDE Maryland School Report Card at reportcard.msde.maryland.gov gives every public school a star rating and posts its test, attendance and graduation data.

What age does my child need to be for kindergarten?

Children must be at least 5 on or before September 1, per HCPS.

Questions About a Home's School?

Call or text me at (443) 617-2099 or email Joshua@leetessier.com. I'll help you find the official data for any address. Read my Moving to Harford County guide and best places to live guide, or browse homes for sale. Town pages: Bel Air, Fallston, Forest Hill, Jarrettsville. Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshTalksHarford