Excellent
#6 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 1% in state
Darlington Elementary
Elementary School · Harford County Public Schools
2119 Shuresville Rd, Darlington, MD 21034
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland elementary schools
#6 of 882
In district
#1 of 55
Harford County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Darlington Elementary
Darlington Elementary is a public school in Darlington, Maryland, serving 92 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4 to 1, each child gets consistent, direct attention from educators — a structural advantage that larger schools rarely match. Academically, Darlington earns a composite score of 9.5 out of 10, rated Exceptional.
Its academic score stands at 9.8 and its growth score reaches 9.9, signaling that students here don't just perform well — they improve at an exceptional rate year over year. The school ranks first out of 55 schools in Harford County Public Schools, and sits at sixth out of 1,363 public schools statewide, outperforming 100 percent of Maryland schools. That places Darlington among a very short list of elementary schools delivering results at this level anywhere in the state.
For families evaluating options in Harford County or across Maryland, Darlington Elementary's numbers are difficult to overlook. Small enrollment, low class sizes, and sustained academic growth combine to produce outcomes that rank sixth among all 882 public elementary schools in Maryland. Parents who prioritize measurable achievement and personalized instruction will find this school worth serious consideration.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 92 students, Darlington Elementary 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 8.4:1, Darlington Elementary 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.
Located in a rural area, Darlington 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
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Darlington Elementary — Students at Darlington Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
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: 9.9/10.
How Darlington Elementary Compares
See how Darlington Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 80% (2025).
Location
2119 Shuresville Rd, Darlington, MD 21034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Darlington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dublin Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Street), with a comparable rating. Another option is Bakerfield Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bainbridge Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Port Deposit), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Darlington, see our Darlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Conowingo Elementary Conowingo | 3.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Dublin Elementary Street | 3.5 mi | 9.1 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Havre De Grace | 5.0 mi | 5.3 |
| GREAT COMMISSION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Havre De Grace | 5.1 mi | — |
| HARFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Darlington | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Churchville Elementary Churchville | 5.7 mi | 8.2 |
| THE MONARCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Churchville | 6.7 mi | — |
| Harford Technical High Bel Air | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Harford Academy at Campus Hills Bel Air | 7.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Meadowvale Elementary Havre De Grace | 7.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Prospect Mill Elementary Bel Air | 7.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Center for Educational Opportunity Aberdeen | 8.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Swan Creek School Aberdeen | 8.4 mi | 5.4 |
| BRIDGES MONTESSORI OF TOWSON, INC. Bel Air | 6.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Aberdeen High Aberdeen | 8.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Aberdeen Middle Aberdeen | 8.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bakerfield Elementary Aberdeen | 8.7 mi | 8.7 |
| WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY Colora | 7.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Bainbridge Elementary Port Deposit | 7.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Roye-Williams Elementary Havre De Grace | 8.7 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,063
Median Home Value
$348,400
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
Population
2,802
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
91.2%
Avg Commute
30.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
48.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Darlington Elementary has a median household income of $77,063. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $348,400, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda, MD | 8.9 |
| WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore, MD | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Darlington Elementary
What grades does Darlington Elementary serve?
Darlington Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Darlington Elementary?
Darlington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Darlington Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Darlington Elementary is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Darlington Elementary rank in MD?
Darlington Elementary is ranked #6 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Darlington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Darlington Elementary has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Darlington Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darlington Elementary has 49.0% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Darlington Elementary a charter school?
No, Darlington Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Darlington Elementary a Title I school?
No, Darlington Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darlington Elementary?
43.5% of students at Darlington 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Harford County
- Phone
- (410) 638-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harford County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 38,105
- Schools in District
- 55
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,493
- District Rank
- #1 of 55
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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