Very Good
#395 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 29% in state
Ilchester Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
4981 Ilchester Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
518
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ellicott City
#9 of 21
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#380 of 882
In district
#30 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ilchester Elementary
Ilchester Elementary serves 518 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Ellicott City's thriving suburban community. This exceptional public school has earned recognition as the #3 elementary school in Maryland, ranking in the 100th percentile statewide with an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. The school demonstrates remarkable academic achievement, with 73% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 66% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These strong results reflect both excellent instruction and engaged learning, supported by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12:1 among the school's 43 full-time equivalent teachers. Ilchester Elementary benefits from serving an educated and economically stable community in the 21043 zip code area, where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $145,000. This supportive environment, combined with Howard County's reputation for educational excellence, creates ideal conditions for student success.
The school's location on Ilchester Road places it in the heart of Howard County's desirable suburban landscape, where families have chosen to invest in both their homes and their children's education. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a strong commitment to academic achievement and community engagement.
Score Breakdown
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Ilchester Elementary — Students at Ilchester Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
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: 5.8/10.
How Ilchester Elementary Compares
See how Ilchester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 75.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 70.8% (2025).
Location
4981 Ilchester Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ilchester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Worthington Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rockburn Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Phelps Luck Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnie Branch Middle Ellicott City | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Ellicott City | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Rockburn Elementary Elkridge | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | — |
| Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Waterloo Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Howard High Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 2.3 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Ducketts Lane Elementary Elkridge | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Westchester Elementary Baltimore | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| AAMI BIBLE INSTITUTE Elkridge | 2.9 mi | — |
| Catonsville Middle Catonsville | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,846
Median Home Value
$607,300
Median Rent
$1,964/mo
Population
47,134
College Educated
64.3%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ilchester Elementary has a median household income of $141,846. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,300, with a median rent of $1,964/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelphi Elementary Adelphi, MD | 7.4 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia, MD | 7.4 |
| Beacon Heights Elementary Riverdale, MD | 7.4 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda, MD | 7.4 |
| Brock Bridge Elementary Laurel, MD | 7.4 |
| Bushy Park Elementary Glenwood, MD | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ilchester Elementary
What grades does Ilchester Elementary serve?
Ilchester Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ilchester Elementary?
Ilchester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 518 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ilchester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ilchester Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ilchester Elementary rank in MD?
Ilchester Elementary is ranked #395 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Ilchester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ilchester Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Ilchester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ilchester Elementary has 68.3% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ilchester Elementary a charter school?
No, Ilchester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ilchester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ilchester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ilchester Elementary?
13.9% of students at Ilchester 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 518
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 313-2524
- 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
- #30 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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