Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+44.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+31.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,192

Darlington Elementary — Students at Darlington Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.0%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 57.8%
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
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
75%
ELA
80%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in MD
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (732/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harford County Public Schools
District Enrollment
38,105
Schools in District
55
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,493
District Rank
#1 of 55

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

Get 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.