Harford Heights Elementary vs Oliver Beach Elementary
Harford Heights Elementary and Oliver Beach Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.1 out of 10. Harford Heights Elementary is significantly larger with 404 students, about 2.7× the size of Oliver Beach Elementary (149). In math proficiency, Oliver Beach Elementary leads at 47.0%.
Harford Heights Elementary
Baltimore, MD
404 students
Oliver Beach Elementary
Baltimore, MD
149 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Harford Heights Elementary | Oliver Beach Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 7.8 | 9.3 |
| Growth Score | 9.9 | 9.5 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 90.8% | 43% |
| Environment Score | 8.8 | 7.1 |
| State Rank | #31 of 1,363 | #42 of 1,363 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 97th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Harford Heights Elementary | Oliver Beach Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 17.0% | 47.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 7.5% | 52.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Harford Heights Elementary | Oliver Beach Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 404 | 149 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 12.6:1 | 13.5:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 90.8% | 43.0% |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Baltimore City Public Schools | Baltimore County Public Schools |
| City | Baltimore | Baltimore |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Baltimore (21213) | Baltimore (21220) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,031 | $79,676 |
| Median Home Value | $134,900 | $279,900 |
| Median Rent | $1,253 | $1,621 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 16.7% | 26.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 24.6% | 14.3% |
| Avg Commute | 29 min | 31 min |
The data story: Harford Heights Elementary vs Oliver Beach Elementary
Oliver Beach Elementary ranks #33 out of 1,363 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the top 3% statewide. Harford Heights Elementary ranks #239 of 1,363 — still in the top 18% — making both schools above the state median, but the gap between them is meaningful: 206 positions separate these two Baltimore elementaries. Oliver Beach Elementary's overall rating of 9.2/10 sits 1.1 points above Harford Heights Elementary's 8.1/10, a difference that reflects real divergence in how each school performs across measured categories.
On academics, Oliver Beach Elementary holds a 1.5-point edge, scoring 9.3/10 compared to Harford Heights Elementary's 7.8/10 — a gap that reflects differences in tested proficiency rates rather than subjective quality judgments. The growth story flips: Harford Heights Elementary earns a 9.9/10 growth score against Oliver Beach Elementary's 9.5/10, meaning students at Harford Heights are progressing at a marginally faster rate year over year relative to peers. A family weighing current proficiency against learning velocity will find different answers at each school.
The demographic profiles of the two schools diverge sharply. Harford Heights Elementary enrolls 404 students — more than 2.5 times the 149 enrolled at Oliver Beach Elementary. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility stands at 91% at Harford Heights Elementary versus 43% at Oliver Beach Elementary, a 48-point difference that signals substantially different socioeconomic contexts. Student-teacher ratios are close but slightly favor Harford Heights at 12.6:1 compared to Oliver Beach Elementary's 13.5:1, giving the larger school a modest structural advantage in average class size.
Both schools serve grades PK through 5 and sit 13.4 miles apart within Baltimore. Neither offers a differentiated grade configuration that would steer a family based on program structure alone. The distinction comes down to the school's population context: Harford Heights Elementary serves a high-need community and produces standout growth numbers despite it; Oliver Beach Elementary operates in a lower-poverty environment and posts the stronger absolute academic scores.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Harford Heights Elementary
Harford Heights Elementary suits families who prioritize learning momentum over starting-point proficiency — its 9.9/10 growth score leads Oliver Beach Elementary by 0.4 points, meaning students are gaining ground fast relative to state peers. It is also the right fit for families seeking a larger school community (404 students) with a slightly lower student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.
Oliver Beach Elementary
Oliver Beach Elementary is the stronger match for families where tested academic proficiency is the primary criterion — its 9.3/10 academic score and #33 statewide rank reflect a school whose students are performing at a high level right now. Its smaller enrollment of 149 students suits families who want an intimate setting, and its lower FRL rate of 43% indicates a less economically stressed school environment.