Skip to main content

Excellent

#227 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 17% in state

Bel Air Elementary

Elementary School · Allegany County Public Schools

14401 Barton Blvd, Cumberland, MD 21502

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cumberland

#2 of 9

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#221 of 882

In district

#4 of 22

Allegany County Public Schools

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Bel Air Elementary

Bel Air Elementary serves 229 students in grades PreK through 5th in Cumberland, Maryland, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #181 out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. Academically, Bel Air Elementary shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 57% of students performing proficient or above across all grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 42% of students achieve proficiency or above. The school's overall academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning and development. The school serves families in the 21502 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $56,958 and median home value is $147,300.

About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 15%. This working-class community of over 41,000 residents provides a stable foundation for the school. Located on Barton Boulevard in Cumberland, Bel Air Elementary sits in a remote town setting within Allegany County, offering students a close-knit educational environment away from urban distractions.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.8%
Math vs. State Avg+19.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,465

Bel Air Elementary — Students at Bel Air Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 48.2%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
50%
ELA
61.8%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Bel Air Elementary Compares

See how Bel Air Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in MD
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

14401 Barton Blvd, Cumberland, MD 21502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bel Air Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George's Creek Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Lonaconing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkside Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Lavale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John Humbird Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cumberland, see our Cumberland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown 1.4 mi 6.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cresaptown 1.8 mi 3.9
Center for Career & Technical Education Cresaptown 2.2 mi 4.0
Frankfort High School Ridgeley 3.4 mi 7.1
Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley 3.7 mi 4.9
Parkside Elementary Lavale 4.7 mi 9.0
Wiley Ford Primary School Wiley Ford 4.8 mi 7.3
Mountain Ridge High School Frostburg 5.9 mi 3.8
Allegany High Cumberland 6.2 mi 4.9
Cash Valley Elementary Lavale 6.6 mi 6.4
John Humbird Elementary Cumberland 5.7 mi 7.4
BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL,K-12/DIOCESE Cumberland 6.6 mi 4.5
West Side Elementary Cumberland 6.5 mi 7.3
Beall Elementary Frostburg 6.7 mi 5.9
George's Creek Elementary Lonaconing 5.9 mi 9.2
South Penn Elementary Cumberland 6.5 mi 7.4
BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cumberland 6.8 mi
Fort Ashby Primary School Fort Ashby 7.0 mi 4.8
Frankfort Intermediate School Fort Ashby 7.1 mi 6.4
Frost Elementary Frostburg 7.6 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,721

Median Home Value

$151,400

Median Rent

$771/mo

Population

41,810

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

43.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bel Air Elementary has a median household income of $58,721. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,400, with a median rent of $771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Fifth District Elementary Upperco, MD 8.0
MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL Gaithersburg, MD 8.0
FRIENDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL College Park, MD 8.1
Galena Elementary School Galena, MD 7.9
Lake Shore Elementary Pasadena, MD 7.9
Liberty Elementary Frederick, MD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bel Air Elementary

What grades does Bel Air Elementary serve?

Bel Air Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bel Air Elementary?

Bel Air Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bel Air Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bel Air Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bel Air Elementary rank in MD?

Bel Air Elementary is ranked #227 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bel Air Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bel Air Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Bel Air Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bel Air Elementary has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bel Air Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bel Air Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bel Air Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bel Air Elementary?

55.0% of students at Bel Air 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,426/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cumberland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Allegany County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Allegany County Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,205
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,290
District Rank
#4 of 22

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.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.