Very Good
#505 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 37% in state
Guilford Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
7335 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#12 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#467 of 882
In district
#37 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Guilford Elementary
Guilford Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Columbia, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 473 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Guilford Elementary reflects areas for growth, with 35% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and strives to improve its academic offerings. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranking at #441 among Maryland schools, there is clear potential for enhancement. Guilford Elementary is situated in a mid-size city within Howard County, providing students with access to the resources and diversity that such an environment offers.
The school community supports its pupils as they navigate their early years of education, aiming to foster a love of learning and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
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Guilford Elementary — Students at Guilford Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.8/10.
How Guilford Elementary Compares
See how Guilford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 29.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 41.7% (2025).
Location
7335 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Guilford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gorman Crossing Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deep Run Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Patuxent Valley Middle Jessup | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Bollman Bridge Elementary Jessup | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 2.2 mi | — |
| Forest Ridge Elementary Laurel | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Murray Hill Middle Laurel | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Gorman Crossing Elementary Laurel | 2.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 8.9 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.9 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Deep Run Elementary Elkridge | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,549
Median Home Value
$469,000
Median Rent
$2,099/mo
Population
15,433
College Educated
62%
Homeownership
62.7%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Guilford Elementary has a median household income of $126,549. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,000, with a median rent of $2,099/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Arundel Elementary Baltimore, MD | 7.0 |
| Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda, MD | 7.0 |
| Bel Air Elementary Bel Air, MD | 7.0 |
| Carney Elementary Baltimore, MD | 7.0 |
| Columbia Park Elementary Landover, MD | 7.0 |
| Fountain Rock Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Guilford Elementary
What grades does Guilford Elementary serve?
Guilford Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Guilford Elementary?
Guilford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Guilford Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Guilford Elementary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Guilford Elementary rank in MD?
Guilford Elementary is ranked #505 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Guilford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Guilford Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Guilford Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Guilford Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Guilford Elementary a charter school?
No, Guilford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Guilford Elementary a Title I school?
No, Guilford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Guilford Elementary?
54.5% of students at Guilford 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 473
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 880-5930
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #37 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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.
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