Skip to main content

Very Good

#367 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 27% in state

Bellows Spring Elementary

Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools

8125 Old Stockbridge Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Enrollment

825

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ellicott City

#8 of 21

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#354 of 882

In district

#26 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Bellows Spring Elementary

Bellows Spring Elementary stands out as one of Maryland's top-performing elementary schools, serving 825 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Ellicott City. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking 46th out of 1,364 schools statewide, this Howard County school places in the 97th percentile for academic achievement. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1 with 68 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.

Academically, Bellows Spring demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 67% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 45% of students meeting proficiency standards, though the school's overall academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects strong educational outcomes. Located at 8125 Old Stockbridge Drive, Bellows Spring serves families in the 21043 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $145,000 and 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community's low poverty rate of 4.6% and median home values of $579,600 reflect the area's economic stability. The school sits in the heart of Ellicott City's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both excellent educational resources and a thriving community environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8%
Math vs. State Avg+27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

Bellows Spring Elementary — Students at Bellows Spring Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.4%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
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
59%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
57.7%
ELA
64.8%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Bellows Spring Elementary Compares

See how Bellows Spring Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in MD
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

8125 Old Stockbridge Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bellows Spring Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TARBIYAH ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is Worthington Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rockburn Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge 0.4 mi 6.1
Waterloo Elementary Columbia 0.6 mi 8.3
AAMI BIBLE INSTITUTE Elkridge 1.0 mi
Deep Run Elementary Elkridge 1.4 mi 8.1
Rockburn Elementary Elkridge 1.2 mi 8.9
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City 1.3 mi 7.6
Long Reach High Columbia 1.3 mi 6.1
TARBIYAH ACADEMY Elkridge 1.8 mi 9.0
Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City 2.0 mi 7.4
Bonnie Branch Middle Ellicott City 2.1 mi 6.1
Howard High Ellicott City 2.1 mi 5.7
Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 8.7
GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City 2.6 mi
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Ellicott City 2.6 mi 6.7
Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 6.5
Ducketts Lane Elementary Elkridge 2.2 mi 8.4
Worthington Elementary Ellicott City 2.9 mi 9.0
CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City 3.3 mi
Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City 3.4 mi 8.2
Hanover Hills Elementary Hanover 2.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,846

Median Home Value

$607,300

Median Rent

$1,964/mo

Population

47,134

College Educated

64.3%

Homeownership

67.3%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bellows Spring Elementary has a median household income of $141,846. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,300, with a median rent of $1,964/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Beltsville Academy Beltsville, MD 7.5
Calverton Elementary Beltsville, MD 7.5
Deerfield Elementary Edgewood, MD 7.5
Hammond Elementary Laurel, MD 7.5
Honeygo Elementary Perry Hall, MD 7.5
Lake Arbor Elementary Mitchellville, MD 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bellows Spring Elementary

What grades does Bellows Spring Elementary serve?

Bellows Spring Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bellows Spring Elementary?

Bellows Spring Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 825 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellows Spring Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bellows Spring Elementary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bellows Spring Elementary rank in MD?

Bellows Spring Elementary is ranked #367 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bellows Spring Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bellows Spring Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Bellows Spring Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellows Spring Elementary has 48.4% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bellows Spring Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bellows Spring Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bellows Spring Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellows Spring Elementary?

25.8% of students at Bellows Spring 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
825
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Howard County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Howard County Public Schools
District Enrollment
57,633
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,256
District Rank
#26 of 76

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.