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Needs Improvement

#1289 of 1,363 schools in MD

Bear Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools

1601 Melbourne Rd, Baltimore, MD 21222

Enrollment

464

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,289 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#219 of 267

public schools

In district

#137 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Bear Creek Elementary

3.3/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Battle Monument School

2.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Charlesmont Elementary

4.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bear Creek Elementary

Bear Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Bear Creek Elementary serves approximately 464 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Bear Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,289 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Bear Creek Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Bear Creek Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.8% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism46.6%

Bear Creek Elementary — Students at Bear Creek Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 48.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
17.9%
ELA
25.8%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Bear Creek Elementary Compares

See how Bear Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
6th percentile in MD
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1601 Melbourne Rd, Baltimore, MD 21222

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bear Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Battle Grove Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charlesmont Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sandalwood Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Battle Monument School Baltimore 0.4 mi 2.5
Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.8
Battle Grove Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.9
Patapsco High and Center for Arts Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.1
Sandy Plains Elementary Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.0
OUR LADY OF HOPE ST LUKE SCHOOL Baltimore 0.5 mi 4.6
General John Stricker Middle Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.1
Grange Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 3.2
Logan Elementary Baltimore 1.7 mi 4.5
Dundalk Middle Baltimore 1.8 mi 2.7
Dundalk High Baltimore 1.8 mi 3.1
Southeast EDLP at Dundalk High School Towson 1.8 mi
Berkshire Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 2.6
Holabird Middle Baltimore 1.9 mi 4.2
Sandalwood Elementary Baltimore 2.2 mi 4.7
Sussex Elementary Baltimore 2.5 mi 2.7
Norwood Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 2.8
Dundalk Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 2.0
Deep Creek Middle Baltimore 2.3 mi 5.6
Essex Elementary Baltimore 2.8 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21222 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,934

Median Home Value

$200,800

Median Rent

$1,390/mo

Population

58,935

College Educated

13.5%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Colgate Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.3
Elmwood Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.3
Oakleigh Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.3
Reisterstown Elementary Reisterstown, MD 3.3
Grange Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.2
John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights, MD 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bear Creek Elementary

What grades does Bear Creek Elementary serve?

Bear Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bear Creek Elementary?

Bear Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 464 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bear Creek Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bear Creek Elementary rank in MD?

Bear Creek Elementary ranks #1,289 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bear Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Bear Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bear Creek Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bear Creek Elementary a charter school?

No, Bear Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bear Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bear Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear Creek Elementary?

73.7% of students at Bear Creek 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Baltimore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.6%

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#137 of 169

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