| Metric | Washington County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 8 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,400/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Washington County Public Schools
Washington County Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 21740 in Washington, Maryland. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 21740. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Washington County Public Schools spends approximately $17,400 per student per year, placing it near the Maryland state average of approximately $16,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 44 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Washington County Public Schools qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K–12th. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Washington County Public Schools ranks among Maryland’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Washington County Public Schools falls in the middle of the performance spectrum with an average rating. Average districts provide foundational public education with functional academic programs, though they may not match the resource breadth of higher-rated districts in the same region. Many families find that average-rated districts deliver solid day-to-day education, particularly when parents stay engaged and involved. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 21740
Children in zip code 21740 are assigned to Washington County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 21740, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Washington County Public Schools at (251)847-2401 or visit wcbek12.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maryland districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Washington
For families considering a purchase in the Washington area, district assignment matters financially. Because Washington County Public Schools serves zip code 21740, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 21740 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maryland, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Washington County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 21740.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Washington County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 21740 data.