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
Enrollment
825
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Bellows Spring Elementary — Students at Bellows Spring Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.8%
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: 6.5/10.
How Bellows Spring Elementary Compares
See how Bellows Spring Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 57.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64.8% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-5057
- 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
- #26 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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