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Average

#581 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 43% in state

Fort Smallwood Elementary

Elementary School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools

1720 Poplar Ridge Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Enrollment

404

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#581 of 1,363

In Pasadena

#5 of 12

public schools

In district

#51 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Fort Smallwood Elementary

6.7/10

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

Chesapeake High

5.8/10

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

Chesapeake Bay Middle

7.0/10

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

About Fort Smallwood Elementary

Fort Smallwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Pasadena, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Fort Smallwood Elementary serves approximately 404 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Smallwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #581 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Smallwood Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.4% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,624
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

Fort Smallwood Elementary — Students at Fort Smallwood Elementary score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 64.6% (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
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
20%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
37.4%
ELA
54.7%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Fort Smallwood Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MD
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

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

1720 Poplar Ridge Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Smallwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Folger Mckinsey Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Severna Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belvedere Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Arnold), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broadneck Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Arnold), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pasadena, see our Pasadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Chesapeake High Pasadena 1.7 mi 5.8
Chesapeake Bay Middle Pasadena 1.8 mi 7.0
Bodkin Elementary Pasadena 1.9 mi 7.5
Lake Shore Elementary Pasadena 2.1 mi 6.6
Riviera Beach Elementary Pasadena 2.6 mi 7.5
DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pasadena 2.7 mi 6.2
DEVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pasadena 2.7 mi 6.8
Jacobsville Elementary Pasadena 2.7 mi 5.1
Sunset Elementary Pasadena 2.9 mi 5.4
Northeast High Pasadena 2.9 mi 5.6
High Point Elementary Pasadena 3.5 mi 4.2
Northeast Middle Pasadena 3.9 mi 5.2
Belvedere Elementary Arnold 5.3 mi 8.4
Folger Mckinsey Elementary Severna Park 4.8 mi 8.9
Magothy River Middle Arnold 5.5 mi 8.3
Severn River Middle Arnold 5.5 mi 8.5
AACPS Virtual Academy Arnold 5.5 mi 6.0
Broadneck Elementary Arnold 5.9 mi 7.9
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL Severna Park 5.4 mi 5.6
ARNOLD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arnold 5.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,732

Median Home Value

$412,100

Median Rent

$2,077/mo

Population

61,589

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bedford Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.7
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia, MD 6.7
Clear Spring Elementary Clear Spring, MD 6.7
Cloverly Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.7
Edgemere Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.7
John Hanson Montessori Oxon Hill, MD 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Smallwood Elementary

What grades does Fort Smallwood Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Fort Smallwood Elementary?

Fort Smallwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 404 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Smallwood Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Smallwood Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Smallwood Elementary rank in MD?

Fort Smallwood Elementary ranks #581 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Fort Smallwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Smallwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Fort Smallwood Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Smallwood Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fort Smallwood Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Fort Smallwood Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fort Smallwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

23.5% of students at Fort Smallwood 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
404
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Anne Arundel County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
District Enrollment
84,346
Schools in District
126
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,624
District Rank
#51 of 123

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