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#768 of 1,363 schools in MD

Bonnie Branch Middle

Middle School · Howard County Public Schools

4979 Ilchester Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Enrollment

710

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ellicott City

#15 of 21

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#87 of 224

In district

#54 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Bonnie Branch Middle

Bonnie Branch Middle serves sixth through eighth graders in Ellicott City, a large suburban community in Howard County. The school enrolls 710 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, supported by 49 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Bonnie Branch earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #325 out of 1,364 schools statewide, placing it in the 76th percentile.

The school's academic score of 7.7 reflects mixed performance across subjects. In English language arts and reading, 57% of students achieve proficiency or above, indicating solid performance in this area. Mathematics presents more room for growth, with 37% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards.

This performance pattern suggests the school is working to build stronger skills in quantitative reasoning while building on existing reading and language strengths. Located at 4979 Ilchester Road, Bonnie Branch sits within a thriving suburban area that supports an engaged school community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.1%
Math vs. State Avg+10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

Bonnie Branch Middle — Students at Bonnie Branch Middle score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 57.5%
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
54%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
40.3%
ELA
62.1%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Bonnie Branch Middle Compares

See how Bonnie Branch Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in MD
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

4979 Ilchester Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bonnie Branch Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ellicott Mills Middle (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Catonsville Middle (rated 6.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mayfield Woods Middle (rated 6.1/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City 0.1 mi 7.4
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Ellicott City 0.5 mi 6.7
Rockburn Elementary Elkridge 1.2 mi 8.9
Worthington Elementary Ellicott City 1.5 mi 9.0
GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City 1.6 mi
Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City 2.1 mi 7.5
Waterloo Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 8.3
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City 2.0 mi 7.6
Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge 2.5 mi 6.1
CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City 2.3 mi
Westchester Elementary Baltimore 2.8 mi 5.6
Howard High Ellicott City 2.2 mi 5.7
Ducketts Lane Elementary Elkridge 2.6 mi 8.4
Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City 2.3 mi 8.2
AAMI BIBLE INSTITUTE Elkridge 3.0 mi
Catonsville Middle Catonsville 3.0 mi 6.2
Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore 2.9 mi 6.9
Veterans Elementary Ellicott City 2.6 mi 7.2
Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 8.7
Long Reach High Columbia 2.8 mi 6.1

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 Bonnie Branch Middle 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
Cabin John Middle Potomac, MD 6.1
Francis Scott Key Middle Silver Spring, MD 6.1
Glenwood Middle Glenwood, MD 6.1
Kenmoor Middle Landover, MD 6.1
Lime Kiln Middle Fulton, MD 6.1
Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge, MD 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bonnie Branch Middle

What grades does Bonnie Branch Middle serve?

Bonnie Branch Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bonnie Branch Middle?

Bonnie Branch Middle has an enrollment of approximately 710 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bonnie Branch Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Bonnie Branch Middle is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bonnie Branch Middle rank in MD?

Bonnie Branch Middle is ranked #768 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Bonnie Branch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Bonnie Branch Middle 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 Bonnie Branch Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bonnie Branch Middle has 37.1% math proficiency and 57.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bonnie Branch Middle a charter school?

No, Bonnie Branch Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bonnie Branch Middle a Title I school?

No, Bonnie Branch Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bonnie Branch Middle?

29.0% of students at Bonnie Branch Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
710
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.0%
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
#54 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

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