Excellent
#242 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 18% in state
Atholton Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
6700 Seneca Dr, Columbia, MD 21046
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#242 of 1,363
In Columbia
#2 of 23
public schools
In district
#35 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Atholton Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Atholton Adventist Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Columbia Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Atholton Elementary
Atholton Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Atholton Elementary serves approximately 520 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Atholton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #242 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Atholton Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 8.0
- MD avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Atholton Elementary — Students at Atholton Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How Atholton Elementary Compares
See how Atholton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
6700 Seneca Dr, Columbia, MD 21046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Atholton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, COLUMBIA ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Atholton High Columbia | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.4 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,549
Median Home Value
$469,000
Median Rent
$2,099/mo
Population
15,433
College Educated
62%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
37.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beall Elementary Frostburg, MD | 8.2 |
| Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville, MD | 8.2 |
| East Silver Spring Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 8.2 |
| Federal Hill Preparatory Academy Baltimore, MD | 8.2 |
| Four Seasons Elementary Gambrills, MD | 8.2 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore, MD | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Atholton Elementary
What grades does Atholton Elementary serve?
Atholton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Atholton Elementary?
Atholton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 520 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Atholton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Atholton Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Atholton Elementary rank in MD?
Atholton Elementary ranks #242 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Atholton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Atholton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Atholton Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Atholton Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Atholton Elementary a charter school?
No, Atholton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Atholton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Atholton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Atholton Elementary?
17.3% of students at Atholton Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 520
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6853
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #35 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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