Very Good
#318 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 23% in state
Cradlerock Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
6700 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#6 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#307 of 882
In district
#23 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Cradlerock Elementary
Cradlerock Elementary in Columbia, Maryland, offers a nurturing environment for students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 465 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, the school ensures individual attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 44 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic and personal growth.
Cradlerock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it in the 64th percentile among Maryland schools, with a state ranking of #490 out of 1364 schools. The school focuses on student development, particularly in math and reading where proficiency rates are currently around 28% for ELA/reading and 18% for math. While Cradlerock Elementary has room to improve academically, the supportive community and engaged teachers make it a welcoming place for young learners.
Located in a mid-size city with easy access to parks and cultural amenities, the school is situated in a vibrant setting that enhances its educational offerings.
Score Breakdown
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Cradlerock Elementary — Students at Cradlerock Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Cradlerock Elementary Compares
See how Cradlerock Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 24.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 38.6% (2025).
Location
6700 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cradlerock Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Atholton Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 0.1 mi | 5.4 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Guilford Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,323
Median Home Value
$438,500
Median Rent
$1,768/mo
Population
40,866
College Educated
57.4%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cradlerock Elementary has a median household income of $117,323. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,500, with a median rent of $1,768/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Belvedere Elementary Arnold, MD | 7.7 |
| Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac, MD | 7.7 |
| Brown Station Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 7.7 |
| Flora M. Singer Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 7.7 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Forest Hill, MD | 7.7 |
| Olney Elementary Olney, MD | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cradlerock Elementary
What grades does Cradlerock Elementary serve?
Cradlerock Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cradlerock Elementary?
Cradlerock Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cradlerock Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cradlerock Elementary is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cradlerock Elementary rank in MD?
Cradlerock Elementary is ranked #318 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Cradlerock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cradlerock Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Cradlerock Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cradlerock Elementary has 19.6% math proficiency and 27.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cradlerock Elementary a charter school?
No, Cradlerock Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cradlerock Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cradlerock Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cradlerock Elementary?
53.3% of students at Cradlerock 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 465
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 319-7601
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #23 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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.
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