St. Mary's Church · Photo: Eminonuk · CC BY-SA 3.0Bel Air South’s public schools outscore 64% of Maryland districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bel Air South, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bel Air South’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 192 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bel Air South’s, its schools beat 55%, lower than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 27% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,479 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Patterson Mill Middle School, then Patterson Mill High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Emmorton Baptist Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bel Air South’s grade
B: better than 64% of Maryland school districts, #93 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bel Air South, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Bel Air South · depends on your address
Abingdon Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 641 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Abingdon
Fountain Green Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 443 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
6th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
7th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
8th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 716 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
9th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill High School
Grades 9–12 · 839 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
10th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill High School
Grades 9–12 · 839 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
11th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill High School
Grades 9–12 · 839 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
12th grade in Bel Air South
Patterson Mill High School
Grades 9–12 · 839 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bel Air
Bel Air South’s public schools are run by Harford County Public Schools, which also serves Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Bel Air South vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Bel Air South’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bel Air South | B | Harford County |
| Bel Air | B | Harford County |
Every school in Bel Air South
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bel Air South’s schools
Are Bel Air South’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Maryland: the public schools Bel Air South children attend outscore 64% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #93 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 55%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bel Air South in?
Harford County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 37,771 students in 55 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bel Air South kids go to high school?
Patterson Mill High School in Bel Air, with 839 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Bel Air South’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Harford County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Bel Air South spend per student?
$17,479 in Harford County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bel Air South?
Yes: Emmorton Baptist Academy (religious, grades K–12, 44 students).
Parents talk
What Bel Air South families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bel Air South → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.