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Needs Improvement

#1242 of 1,363 schools in MD

Franklin Square Elementary/middle

Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools

1400 W Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Enrollment

460

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,242 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#195 of 267

public schools

In district

#116 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

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Franklin Square Elementary/middle

3.8/10

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

Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy

5.8/10

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

Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts

5.9/10

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

About Franklin Square Elementary/middle

Franklin Square Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Franklin Square Elementary/middle serves approximately 460 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Franklin Square Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,242 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Franklin Square Elementary/middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at Franklin Square Elementary/middle 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 Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.5% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.6 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)13% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism53.5%

Franklin Square Elementary/middle — Students at Franklin Square Elementary/middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 36.0% (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
77%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
6.6%
ELA
17.5%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Franklin Square Elementary/middle Compares

See how Franklin Square Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in MD
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.5%

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

1400 W Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Franklin Square Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is James McHenry Elementary/Middle (rated 5.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southwest Baltimore Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy Baltimore 0.1 mi 5.8
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts Baltimore 0.4 mi 5.9
Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.5
Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Baltimore 0.3 mi 5.5
Harlem Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.3
MOUNT CLARE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.5
James McHenry Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.5
Southwest Baltimore Charter School Baltimore 0.7 mi 5.5
Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.3
MOTHER MARY LANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 0.7 mi 4.1
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 0.7 mi 5.5
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 0.7 mi 2.4
Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.9
New Song Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.5
Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.5
George Washington Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.4
The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.7
Joseph C. Briscoe Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi
Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore 1.0 mi 2.9
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,828

Median Home Value

$93,700

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

19,793

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

33.6%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

29.2%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baltimore Highlands Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.8
Carrollton Elementary New Carrollton, MD 3.8
Gilpin Manor Elementary Elkton, MD 3.8
Hilltop Elementary Glen Burnie, MD 3.8
Johnnycake Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.8
Joppatowne Elementary Joppa, MD 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Franklin Square Elementary/middle

What grades does Franklin Square Elementary/middle serve?

Franklin Square Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Franklin Square Elementary/middle?

Franklin Square Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Franklin Square Elementary/middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin Square Elementary/middle is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Franklin Square Elementary/middle rank in MD?

Franklin Square Elementary/middle ranks #1,242 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Franklin Square Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin Square Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Franklin Square Elementary/middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Franklin Square Elementary/middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Franklin Square Elementary/middle a charter school?

No, Franklin Square Elementary/middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Franklin Square Elementary/middle a Title I school?

No, Franklin Square Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Franklin Square Elementary/middle?

90.7% of students at Franklin Square Elementary/middle 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
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
81 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.5%

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