Broad Ford Elementary vs Crellin Elementary
Broad Ford Elementary and Crellin Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 6.3 out of 10. Broad Ford Elementary is significantly larger with 547 students, about 3.8× the size of Crellin Elementary (144). In math proficiency, Crellin Elementary leads at 95.0%.
Broad Ford Elementary
Oakland, MD
547 students
Crellin Elementary
Oakland, MD
144 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Broad Ford Elementary | Crellin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 6.3 / 10 | 6.3 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 6.9 | 9.0 |
| Growth Score | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 67.3% | 68.1% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 8.4 |
| State Rank | #686 of 1,363 | #687 of 1,363 |
| State Percentile | 50th | 50th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Broad Ford Elementary | Crellin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 84.0% | 95.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 85.0% | 95.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Broad Ford Elementary | Crellin Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 547 | 144 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 12.2:1 | 16.0:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 67.3% | 68.1% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 16.8% | 10.4% |
| District | Garrett County Public Schools | Garrett County Public Schools |
| City | Oakland | Oakland |
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.