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Below Average

#1110 of 1,363 schools in MD

Empowerment Academy

Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools

851 Braddish Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216

Charter

Enrollment

305

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,110 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#151 of 267

public schools

In district

#91 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Empowerment Academy

4.6/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Katherine Johnson Global Academy

5.0/10

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

Billie Holiday Elementary

2.9/10

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

About Empowerment Academy

Empowerment Academy is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Empowerment Academy serves approximately 305 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Empowerment Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,110 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Empowerment Academy show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Empowerment Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

44% of students at Empowerment Academy 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism43.6%

Empowerment Academy — Students at Empowerment Academy score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 47.2% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
10.8%
ELA
39.7%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Empowerment Academy Compares

See how Empowerment Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in MD
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

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

851 Braddish Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Empowerment Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Matthew A. Henson Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary E. Rodman Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore 0.2 mi 5.0
Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore 0.2 mi 2.9
Rosemont Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 3.3
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 0.5 mi 2.4
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.5
Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.4
Belmont Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 5.3
Matthew A. Henson Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 5.7
William S. Baer School Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.4
The Seed School of Maryland Baltimore 1.0 mi 6.1
Frederick Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 2.6
Coppin Academy Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.6
Robert W. Coleman Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 3.5
Green Street Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.8
Frederick Douglass High Baltimore 1.2 mi 4.5
Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.5
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.9
Gwynns Falls Elementary Baltimore 1.2 mi 2.3
New Song Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.5
Mary E. Rodman Elementary Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,440

Median Home Value

$148,800

Median Rent

$1,160/mo

Population

27,296

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

46.9%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

24.5%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 4.6
James Ryder Randall Elementary Clinton, MD 4.6
Middleborough Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.6
OUR LADY OF HOPE ST LUKE SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 4.6
Abbottston Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.5
Dickey Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Empowerment Academy

What grades does Empowerment Academy serve?

Empowerment Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Empowerment Academy?

Empowerment Academy has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Empowerment Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Empowerment Academy is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Empowerment Academy rank in MD?

Empowerment Academy ranks #1,110 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Empowerment Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Empowerment Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Empowerment Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Empowerment Academy has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Empowerment Academy a charter school?

Yes, Empowerment Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Empowerment Academy a Title I school?

No, Empowerment Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empowerment Academy?

76.7% of students at Empowerment Academy 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
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
74 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

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