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Needs Improvement

#1314 of 1,363 schools in MD

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools

201 E 21st Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

Enrollment

192

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,314 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#237 of 267

public schools

In district

#134 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

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Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary

3.0/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Baltimore Lab School

8.8/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School

4.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools.

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary serves approximately 192 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio.

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,314 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 192 students, Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary 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.

63% of students at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.2 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism62.5%

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary — Students at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 29.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
6%
ELA
10.9%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary Compares

See how Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
4th percentile in MD
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

201 E 21st Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mount Royal Elementary/Middle (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE GREENMOUNT SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle (rated 6.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL Baltimore 0.2 mi 8.8
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore 0.3 mi 4.5
MOTHER SETON ACADEMY Baltimore 0.3 mi 6.3
Baltimore Design School Baltimore 0.4 mi 7.3
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.0
Cecil Elementary Baltimore 0.4 mi 2.4
Midtown Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.7
Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.7 mi 4.6
Mount Royal Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.6 mi 7.4
ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.3
Johnston Square Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 3.2
Eager Street Academy Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.3
THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi
Stadium School Baltimore 0.8 mi 2.7
THE LOYOLA SCHOOL Baltimore 1.0 mi
THE GREENMOUNT SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 6.8
Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore 0.8 mi 6.7
Baltimore School for the Arts Baltimore 1.0 mi 8.0
Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.4
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,378

Median Home Value

$229,800

Median Rent

$1,239/mo

Population

44,903

College Educated

43.7%

Homeownership

49.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.9
Gardenville Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.2
Highland Park Elementary Landover, MD 2.8
Johnston Square Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.2
Concord Elementary District Heights, MD 2.7
Rosemont Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary

What grades does Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary serve?

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary?

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary rank in MD?

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary ranks #1,314 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary a charter school?

No, Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary?

83.3% of students at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. 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
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
87 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.5%

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