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Below Average

#1136 of 1,363 schools in MD

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West

High School · Baltimore City Public Schools

1500 Harlem Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,136 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#160 of 267

public schools

In district

#98 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West

4.5/10

High School in Baltimore · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts

5.9/10

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

Harlem Park Elementary/middle

5.3/10

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

About Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is a public high school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West serves approximately 139 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,136 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 139 students, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)14% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate30%
AP Participation23.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West — Students at Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
67%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West Compares

See how Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in MD
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3.1
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
23.7% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

1500 Harlem Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts (rated 5.9/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy (rated 5.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High (rated 5.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts Baltimore 0.0 mi 5.9
Harlem Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.1 mi 5.3
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.4 mi 3.8
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.8
New Song Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 5.5
Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.5
Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.5
Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.9
James McHenry Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.5
ISLAMIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.4
Matthew A. Henson Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.7
MOUNT CLARE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 6.5
Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore 0.8 mi 3.4
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.5
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 0.8 mi 2.4
MOTHER MARY LANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.1
Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 2.9
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 0.8 mi 6.0
Renaissance Academy Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.2
The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,207

Median Home Value

$175,900

Median Rent

$1,065/mo

Population

31,125

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

32.6%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

30.5%

Median Age

40.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Homewood School Ellicott City, MD 5.2
SS PETER & PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Easton, MD 5.8
MESIVTA KESSER TORAH OF BALTIMORE Pikesville, MD 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West

What grades does Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West serve?

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West?

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West?

The student-teacher ratio at Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West rank in MD?

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West ranks #1,136 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West's MySchoolScout rating?

Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West a charter school?

No, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West a Title I school?

No, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West?

89.2% of students at Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
82 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
4-Year Graduation
30.0%

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