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Needs Improvement

#1266 of 1,363 schools in MD

Essex Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools

100 Mace Ave, Baltimore, MD 21221

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,266 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#208 of 267

public schools

In district

#127 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Essex Elementary

3.6/10

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

Sussex Elementary

2.7/10

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

Eastern Technical High School

8.8/10

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

About Essex Elementary

Essex Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Essex Elementary serves approximately 446 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Essex Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,266 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Essex Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Essex 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 Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.2% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism34.3%

Essex Elementary — Students at Essex Elementary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (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
92%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2025
Math
20.8%
ELA
33.2%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Essex Elementary Compares

See how Essex Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
7th percentile in MD
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.3%

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

100 Mace Ave, Baltimore, MD 21221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Essex Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orems Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mars Estates Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charlesmont Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Sussex Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 2.7
Eastern Technical High School Baltimore 1.1 mi 8.8
Kenwood High Baltimore 1.5 mi 4.8
Deep Creek Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 2.6
Stemmers Run Middle Baltimore 1.5 mi 4.2
Rosedale Center Baltimore 1.8 mi 5.8
Orems Elementary Baltimore 1.8 mi 5.3
Sandalwood Elementary Baltimore 1.6 mi 4.7
Red House Run Elementary Baltimore 1.7 mi 4.0
Mars Estates Elementary Baltimore 1.6 mi 4.8
Deep Creek Middle Baltimore 1.8 mi 5.6
Golden Ring Middle Baltimore 1.9 mi 3.8
Middlesex Elementary Baltimore 1.8 mi 3.2
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Essex 1.8 mi 6.3
Battle Monument School Baltimore 2.5 mi 2.5
Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore 2.5 mi 4.8
General John Stricker Middle Baltimore 2.5 mi 3.1
Berkshire Elementary Baltimore 2.3 mi 2.6
Victory Villa Elementary Baltimore 2.6 mi 3.1
Shady Spring Elementary Baltimore 2.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,368

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

43,536

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Govans Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.6
Hollywood Elementary College Park, MD 3.6
Kettering Elementary Upper Marlboro, MD 3.6
Morrell Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 3.6
Scotchtown Hills Elementary Laurel, MD 3.6
William Beanes Elementary Suitland, MD 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Essex Elementary

What grades does Essex Elementary serve?

Essex Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Essex Elementary?

Essex Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Essex Elementary rank in MD?

Essex Elementary ranks #1,266 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Essex Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Essex Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Essex Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Essex Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Essex Elementary a charter school?

No, Essex Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Essex Elementary a Title I school?

No, Essex Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex Elementary?

67.5% of students at Essex 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Baltimore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.3%

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#127 of 169

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