Very Good
#392 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 29% in state
Atholton Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
6700 Seneca Dr, Columbia, MD 21046
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
520
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#7 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#378 of 882
In district
#27 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Atholton Elementary
Atholton Elementary serves 520 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Columbia, Maryland. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #238 out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 59% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance stands at 46% proficient or above, indicating an area where the school continues to focus on student development. Atholton Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational investment, with a median household income of $125,280 and a low poverty rate of 6.8%. Median home values of $436,400 indicate a community that prioritizes quality schools and family resources. Located on Seneca Drive in Columbia's planned community setting, Atholton Elementary benefits from being part of Howard County's well-regarded school system while serving families in this thoughtfully designed mid-size city environment.
Score Breakdown
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Atholton Elementary — Students at Atholton Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
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 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Atholton Elementary Compares
See how Atholton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 54.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 69.3% (2025).
Location
6700 Seneca Dr, Columbia, MD 21046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Atholton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cradlerock Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 7.2 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Atholton High Columbia | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.4 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Atholton Elementary has a median household income of $126,549. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,000, with a median rent of $2,099/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adelphi Elementary Adelphi, MD | 7.4 |
| Beacon Heights Elementary Riverdale, MD | 7.4 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda, MD | 7.4 |
| Brock Bridge Elementary Laurel, MD | 7.4 |
| Bushy Park Elementary Glenwood, MD | 7.4 |
| Chapel District Elementary Cordova, MD | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #392 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Atholton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Atholton Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Atholton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Atholton Elementary has 47.9% math proficiency and 56.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6853
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #27 of 76
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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