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Below Average

#1274 of 1,363 schools in MD

Cedar Lane Special Center

School · Howard County Public Schools

11630 Scaggsville Rd, Fulton, MD 20759

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fulton

#4 of 4

public schools

Maryland schools

#28 of 31

In district

#76 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Cedar Lane Special Center

Cedar Lane Special Center is a public school in Fulton, Maryland, serving students from pre-K through grade 12. With an enrollment of 132 students and a student-teacher ratio of 4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' needs.

Cedar Lane Special Center focuses on providing tailored educational programs for its diverse student population. While academic scores show room for improvement — with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and state ranking in the bottom third of Maryland schools — the school is committed to fostering growth and development among its students. The setting of Cedar Lane Special Center is in a large suburban area, offering a blend of community resources and space for educational activities.

The nearby Scaggsville Road location places it in an accessible part of Howard County, making it convenient for families in the region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 132 students, Cedar Lane Special Center 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 4:1, Cedar Lane Special Center 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 Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-36.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.1Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

Cedar Lane Special Center — Students at Cedar Lane Special Center score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
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: 1.1/10.

How Cedar Lane Special Center Compares

See how Cedar Lane Special Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
7th percentile in MD
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

11630 Scaggsville Rd, Fulton, MD 20759

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cedar Lane Special Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Gorman Crossing Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pointers Run Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Clarksville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fulton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fulton, see our Fulton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Lime Kiln Middle Fulton 0.1 mi 6.1
Reservoir High Fulton 0.3 mi 5.6
Fulton Elementary Fulton 0.3 mi 8.2
KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS Laurel 1.3 mi
Clarksville Middle Clarksville 2.4 mi 5.9
Pointers Run Elementary Clarksville 2.5 mi 8.6
Hammond Middle Laurel 2.0 mi 6.3
Hammond Elementary Laurel 2.0 mi 7.5
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 2.8 mi
Atholton High Columbia 2.9 mi 5.3
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 2.8 mi 7.3
Burtonsville Elementary Burtonsville 3.3 mi 5.7
CHILDWAY Burtonsville 3.4 mi
Bond Mill Elementary Laurel 3.4 mi 6.5
ECHELON ACADEMY Burtonsville 3.5 mi
NORTHCREST MONTESSORI Clarksville 3.7 mi
Hammond High Columbia 3.0 mi 6.2
Gorman Crossing Elementary Laurel 3.1 mi 8.9
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 3.5 mi 7.2
ST LOUIS SCHOOL Clarksville 3.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20759 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$888,200

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

6,758

College Educated

84.3%

Homeownership

95.5%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

0.2%

Median Age

39.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cedar Lane Special Center has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $888,200, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 0.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Marley Glen School Glen Burnie, MD 4.3
Ruth Parker Eason School Millersville, MD 4.3
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumberland, MD 4.4
Central Special School Edgewater, MD 4.1
HILLSIDE MENNONITE SCHOOL Hagerstown, MD 4.5
Harford Academy at Campus Hills Bel Air, MD 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cedar Lane Special Center

What grades does Cedar Lane Special Center serve?

Cedar Lane Special Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Cedar Lane Special Center?

Cedar Lane Special Center has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cedar Lane Special Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Cedar Lane Special Center is 4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cedar Lane Special Center rank in MD?

Cedar Lane Special Center is ranked #1274 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Cedar Lane Special Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Cedar Lane Special Center has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Cedar Lane Special Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cedar Lane Special Center has 21.5% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cedar Lane Special Center a charter school?

No, Cedar Lane Special Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cedar Lane Special Center a Title I school?

No, Cedar Lane Special Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cedar Lane Special Center?

43.2% of students at Cedar Lane Special Center 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
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
special_ed
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
#76 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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