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Average

#788 of 1,363 schools in MD

Guilford Elementary

Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools

7335 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#788 of 1,363

In Columbia

#21 of 23

public schools

In district

#70 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Guilford Elementary

5.9/10

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

Patuxent Valley Middle

6.8/10

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

Bollman Bridge Elementary

5.2/10

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

About Guilford Elementary

Guilford Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Guilford Elementary serves approximately 473 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Guilford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #788 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Guilford Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 8.0
  • MD avg 6.3

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
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.8% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,256
Chronic Absenteeism24.1%

Guilford Elementary — Students at Guilford Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 52.7% (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
88%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
34%
2025
Math
25.2%
ELA
45.8%

* 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 Guilford Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in MD
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.1%

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

7335 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Guilford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Atholton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gorman Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), 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 6.8
Bollman Bridge Elementary Jessup 1.6 mi 5.2
Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia 1.7 mi 7.4
Cradlerock Elementary Columbia 1.7 mi 5.8
Hammond High Columbia 1.6 mi 7.5
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 2.2 mi
Forest Ridge Elementary Laurel 2.4 mi 6.8
Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 7.0
Murray Hill Middle Laurel 2.2 mi 7.4
Atholton Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 8.2
Gorman Crossing Elementary Laurel 2.3 mi 8.1
Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 7.8
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 2.5 mi
Oakland Mills High Columbia 2.8 mi 6.6
Oakland Mills Middle Columbia 2.7 mi 7.3
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 6.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
City Springs Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.9
Columbia Park Elementary Landover, MD 5.9
Eastern Elementary Hagerstown, MD 5.9
Federalsburg Elementary School Federalsburg, MD 5.9
Gale-Bailey Elementary School Marbury, MD 5.9
Glen Burnie Park Elementary Glen Burnie, MD 5.9

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 ranks #788 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Guilford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Guilford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Guilford Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Guilford Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.1%

District

Howard County Public Schools
District Enrollment
57,633
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,256
District Rank
#70 of 76

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