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Excellent

#40 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 3% in state

Central Elementary

Elementary School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools

130 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037

Enrollment

580

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Edgewater

#1 of 6

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#39 of 882

In district

#3 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary

Central Elementary serves 580 students across kindergarten through fifth grade in Edgewater, Maryland. It earns a composite score of 9.0/10, rated Exceptional, with a 9.4 in academics and a 9.5 in growth. Those scores place it #40 out of 1,363 public schools across the state — outperforming 97% of Maryland schools — and first among all six public schools in Edgewater.

What stands out is how both key measures align. The 9.4 academic score reflects strong tested-grade outcomes, while the 9.5 growth score shows students are progressing faster than their peers, not just scoring well from a strong starting point. Schools that rank high on both are uncommon across Maryland.

Central does it with 580 students enrolled — a full school operating at a high level. The 13.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio supports that performance by keeping instruction personal across all grade levels. Among Maryland's 882 ranked elementary schools, Central holds the #39 spot.

For families in Edgewater weighing their public school options, no local school scores higher, and few in the state come close.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.1%
Math vs. State Avg+41.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,620

Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 57.3%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
61%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
71.7%
ELA
81.1%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Central Elementary Compares

See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in MD
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

130 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgewater Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Tyler Heights Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), a more accessible option. Additionally, Walter S. Mills - Parole Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), a more accessible option. For more schools in Edgewater, see our Edgewater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Special School Edgewater 0.1 mi 4.1
South River High Edgewater 0.3 mi 5.8
Central Middle Edgewater 0.5 mi 5.7
Edgewater Elementary Edgewater 1.0 mi 7.9
THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater 1.8 mi 8.1
Annapolis High Annapolis 3.5 mi 6.3
Mayo Elementary Edgewater 3.5 mi 5.1
Annapolis Middle Annapolis 3.7 mi 4.7
Walter S. Mills - Parole Elementary Annapolis 4.3 mi 7.7
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL Annapolis 4.0 mi 6.2
Monarch Academy Annapolis ES Annapolis 4.5 mi 6.6
KEY SCHOOL Annapolis 3.7 mi 6.6
Tyler Heights Elementary Annapolis 4.1 mi 7.9
Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville 4.0 mi 7.1
Rolling Knolls Elementary Annapolis 5.1 mi 5.1
Germantown Elementary Annapolis 4.7 mi 4.9
Wiley H. Bates Middle Annapolis 4.6 mi 5.5
Phoenix Academy Annapolis 4.9 mi 5.0
Southern High Harwood 4.8 mi 5.1
PATHWAYS SCHOOL--ANNE ARUNDEL Annapolis 4.4 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,541

Median Home Value

$530,900

Median Rent

$2,276/mo

Population

20,851

College Educated

46.2%

Homeownership

89.3%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $135,541. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $530,900, with a median rent of $2,276/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Catherine T. Reed Elementary Lanham, MD 9.0
Cedar Grove Elementary Germantown, MD 9.0
Denton Elementary School Denton, MD 9.0
Lincoln Elementary Frederick, MD 9.0
Moravia Park Elementary Baltimore, MD 9.0
Worthington Elementary Ellicott City, MD 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary

What grades does Central Elementary serve?

Central Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary?

Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary rank in MD?

Central Elementary is ranked #40 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Central Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 51.2% math proficiency and 57.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary a charter school?

No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?

15.0% of students at Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Anne Arundel County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
District Enrollment
84,346
Schools in District
126
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,624
District Rank
#3 of 123

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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