Broad Ford Elementary vs Crellin Elementary
Broad Ford Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 8.5/10. Broad Ford Elementary is significantly larger with 547 students, about 3.8× the size of Crellin Elementary (144). In math proficiency, Broad Ford Elementary leads at 27.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Broad Ford Elementary
Oakland, MD
547 students
Crellin Elementary
Oakland, MD
144 students
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| Metric | Broad Ford Elementary | Crellin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 7.7 | 9.1 |
| Growth Score | 9.4 | 8.1 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 67.3% | 68.1% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 8.4 |
| State Rank | #33 of 1,363 | #103 of 1,363 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 93th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Broad Ford Elementary | Crellin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 27.0% | 22.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 32.0% | 32.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Oakland (21550) | Oakland (21550) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,302 | $65,302 |
| Median Home Value | $210,300 | $210,300 |
| Median Rent | $724 | $724 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 25.7% | 25.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.3% |
| Avg Commute | 20 min | 20 min |
The data story: Broad Ford Elementary vs Crellin Elementary
Broad Ford Elementary and Crellin Elementary sit 4.9 miles apart in Oakland, Maryland, but their state rankings tell a striking story. Broad Ford Elementary holds the #27 position out of 1,363 Maryland schools — a strong result by any measure. Crellin Elementary, however, ranks #5 out of 1,363 Maryland schools, placing it among a tiny handful of the state's highest-rated schools. That gap shows up in their overall scores: Broad Ford Elementary rates 9.2/10 while Crellin Elementary rates 9.5/10 — a 0.3-point difference that compresses what is in reality a substantial statewide rank separation.
The academic and growth scores sharpen that picture. Crellin Elementary scores 9.2/10 in academics versus Broad Ford Elementary's 8.2/10 — a full point difference indicating meaningfully higher measured proficiency. On growth, both schools perform exceptionally, with Crellin Elementary at 9.9/10 and Broad Ford Elementary at 9.5/10. That 0.4-point growth gap suggests students at Crellin Elementary are advancing at a slightly faster pace even from a higher academic baseline, which is a rare combination.
The two schools differ considerably in size and classroom feel. Broad Ford Elementary enrolls 547 students compared to Crellin Elementary's 144 — nearly four times the population. That smaller enrollment at Crellin translates to a very different experience in one key way, though not in staffing ratios: Broad Ford Elementary runs a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio versus Crellin Elementary's 16.0:1, meaning Broad Ford actually offers more adult attention per student despite its larger total headcount. The economic profiles are nearly identical — free and reduced lunch eligibility sits at 67% at Broad Ford Elementary and 68% at Crellin Elementary — so neither school serves a meaningfully wealthier population.
One practical distinction for families with younger children: Broad Ford Elementary serves grades PK through 5, offering a pre-kindergarten option that Crellin Elementary does not, as Crellin begins at kindergarten. Families seeking a pre-K placement alongside older siblings have only one option of the two.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Broad Ford Elementary
Broad Ford Elementary suits families who want a pre-kindergarten option under the same roof as elementary grades, lower student-teacher ratios for more individualized attention, and a larger school community with broader peer exposure — while still landing in Maryland's top 2% of schools statewide.
Crellin Elementary
Crellin Elementary suits families who prioritize raw academic performance and are comfortable with a smaller, tighter-knit school. Its #5 statewide rank and 9.9/10 growth score make it one of the hardest schools in Maryland to match on outcomes, and its 144-student enrollment creates an intimate environment.