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Average

#753 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

6.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baltimore

#127 of 267

public schools

Maryland high schools

#31 of 226

In district

#76 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West

Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West is a public school located in Baltimore, Maryland. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 139 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West is currently rated as having room for improvement; it ranks in the tenth percentile among Maryland schools, with only 4% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 2% proficient or above in Math.

Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. With a strong emphasis on STEM education, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West offers unique learning opportunities tailored to help its students succeed academically and beyond. The school's setting within a large city provides diverse cultural experiences and access to local resources that can complement the educational programs.

Located at 1500 Harlem Avenue in Baltimore, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West is an integral part of the community it serves.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,272

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: 17%).

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 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 4.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 5.9/10.

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
6.1/10
45th percentile in MD
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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. Renaissance Academy (rated 6.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High (rated 6.0/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts (rated 5.5/10), with a comparable rating. 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 5.5
Harlem Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.1 mi 7.0
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.4 mi 5.6
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy Baltimore 0.5 mi 4.4
New Song Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.6
Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.0
Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.8
Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 6.9
James McHenry Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.8 mi 6.1
ISLAMIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.4
Matthew A. Henson Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 8.5
MOUNT CLARE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 6.4
Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.1
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.5
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.1
MOTHER MARY LANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.1
Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 6.2
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 0.8 mi 7.1
Renaissance Academy Baltimore 0.8 mi 6.1
The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has a median household income of $37,207. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,900, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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
MESIVTA KESSER TORAH OF BALTIMORE Pikesville, MD 6.0
SS PETER & PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Easton, MD 5.8
ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown, MD 6.6
TAKOMA ACADEMY Takoma Park, MD 6.7
YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON BOYS DIVISION Spring Valley, MD 6.7
HIGHLAND VIEW ACADEMY Hagerstown, MD 7.0

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 is ranked #753 out 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 composite rating of 6.1 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 Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bluford Drew Jemison Stem Academy West has 2.5% math proficiency and 4.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (5,784/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Baltimore City Public Schools
District Enrollment
75,811
Schools in District
151
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,977
District Rank
#76 of 149

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

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