Needs Improvement
#1340 of 1,363 schools in MD
Central Special School
School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools
140 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#1,340 of 1,363
In Edgewater
#6 of 6
public schools
In district
#121 of 123
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Shortlisting around Central Special School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Special School
School in Edgewater · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South River High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Special School
Central Special School is a public school in Edgewater, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Central Special School serves approximately 127 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Special School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,340 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Central Special School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.3
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 127 students, Central Special School 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 6:1 students to teachers, Central Special School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Central Special School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Special School — Students at Central Special School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.4/10.
How Central Special School Compares
See how Central Special School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
140 Stepney Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Special School may also want to explore other schools in the area. KEY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Phoenix Academy (rated 4.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Edgewater, see our Edgewater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Elementary Edgewater | 0.1 mi | 8.3 |
| South River High Edgewater | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Middle Edgewater | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Edgewater Elementary Edgewater | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Annapolis High Annapolis | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Mayo Elementary Edgewater | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Annapolis Middle Annapolis | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Walter S. Mills - Parole Elementary Annapolis | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| ST MARTINS LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL Annapolis | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Monarch Academy Annapolis ES Annapolis | 4.6 mi | 7.8 |
| KEY SCHOOL Annapolis | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville | 3.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Tyler Heights Elementary Annapolis | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Rolling Knolls Elementary Annapolis | 5.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Germantown Elementary Annapolis | 4.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Southern High Harwood | 4.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Wiley H. Bates Middle Annapolis | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Phoenix Academy Annapolis | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Maiden Choice School Baltimore, MD | 2.5 |
| Ruth Parker Eason School Millersville, MD | 2.5 |
| WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN FAMILY SCHOOL Sabillasville, MD | 2.5 |
| William S. Baer School Baltimore, MD | 2.4 |
| James E. Duckworth Beltsville, MD | 2.3 |
| Harford Academy at Campus Hills Bel Air, MD | 2.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Special School
What grades does Central Special School serve?
Central Special School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Central Special School?
Central Special School has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Special School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Special School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Special School rank in MD?
Central Special School ranks #1,340 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Central Special School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Special School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Central Special School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Special School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Central Special School a charter school?
No, Central Special School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Special School a Title I school?
No, Central Special School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Special School?
59.1% of students at Central Special School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 127
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.1%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Anne Arundel County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.5%
- Phone
- (410) 956-5885
Resources & Links
District
Anne Arundel County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 84,346
- Schools in District
- 126
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,624
- District Rank
- #121 of 123
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.