Harford Heights Elementary vs Oliver Beach Elementary
Oliver Beach Elementary has a higher overall rating of 8.9/10 compared to 6.9/10. 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 92.0%.
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 | 6.9 / 10 | 8.9 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 6.5 | 9.7 |
| Growth Score | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 90.8% | 43% |
| Environment Score | 4.5 | 9.0 |
| State Rank | #530 of 1,363 | #98 of 1,363 |
| State Percentile | 61th | 93th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Harford Heights Elementary | Oliver Beach Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 61.0% | 92.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 57.0% | 92.0% |
| 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 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 90.8% | 43.0% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 65.1% | 18.1% |
| 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.