Parents often ask who runs their child’s school. In Maryland the answer is a local school system, not a single statewide district, with the state setting broad rules and oversight.
How many school systems does Maryland have?
Maryland has 24 local school systems: one for each of its 23 counties, plus one for Baltimore City. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) oversees them.
What does the state department do?
The MSDE was formed in 1900 and is headquartered in Baltimore. It oversees public education across the state’s local systems, while day-to-day decisions about individual schools are made locally.
How big is the system?
Published education statistics for the 2024-25 school year report 891,525 students across 1,408 schools. Those figures cover the 24 local school systems and the statewide SEED School of Maryland, which together are counted as 25 public education agencies. Enrollment and school counts change each year, so these numbers are best read as a recent snapshot.
Key facts
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Local school systems | 24 (23 counties plus Baltimore City) |
| State agency | Maryland State Department of Education |
| State agency formed | 1900 |
| Students reported, 2024-25 | 891,525 |
| Schools reported, 2024-25 | 1,408 |
Why does it matter that systems are local?
Because each county and Baltimore City runs its own school system, calendars, budgets and local policies can differ from one place to another. Statewide rules still apply, such as the school-calendar requirement explained in our article on why Maryland public schools start after Labor Day.
Where to find information for your own school
Each school system publishes its own calendar, school list, enrollment information and board meetings. The MSDE publishes statewide data and policy information. After high school, many students continue to the institutions described in our guide to the University System of Maryland.
This article is general information based on published statistics and descriptions. Figures change each year, so check the Maryland State Department of Education and your local school system.
Sources: Maryland State Department of Education; National Center for Education Statistics; Wikipedia
