Average
#939 of 1,363 schools in MD
John Ruhrah Elementary/middle
Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools
701 Rappolla Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#165 of 267
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#727 of 882
In district
#98 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About John Ruhrah Elementary/middle
John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle serves 1,014 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Baltimore, providing a comprehensive educational experience with a favorable 12.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 83 dedicated full-time teachers. This regular public school operates within Baltimore's urban landscape, offering families an accessible neighborhood option for their children's foundational years. The school currently faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in core subjects.
Reading proficiency stands at 13% across grade levels, while mathematics shows 3% proficiency. These areas present opportunities for focused improvement and additional support to help students reach their full potential. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, ranking in the 13th percentile among Maryland's elementary schools.
John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle sits in the 21224 ZIP code area, a diverse community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood shows economic stability with a median household income of $86,443 and median home values around $260,200, though 15.2% of families experience poverty. This creates a mixed socioeconomic environment that brings both resources and challenges to the school community.
The school serves as an important educational anchor in this densely populated urban area of over 44,000 residents.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John Ruhrah Elementary/middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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John Ruhrah Elementary/middle — Students at John Ruhrah Elementary/middle score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
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: 6.4/10.
How John Ruhrah Elementary/middle Compares
See how John Ruhrah Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 11.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 11% (2019) to 14.2% (2025).
Location
701 Rappolla Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Ruhrah Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clay Hill Public Charter School (rated 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, William Paca Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,209
Median Home Value
$281,400
Median Rent
$1,782/mo
Population
46,949
College Educated
49.9%
Homeownership
59.7%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
33.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has a median household income of $86,209. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $281,400, with a median rent of $1,782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Glenridge Elementary Landover Hills, MD | 5.6 |
| Graceland Park/O'Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.6 |
| Southgate Elementary Glen Burnie, MD | 5.6 |
| Waverly Elementary Ellicott City, MD | 5.6 |
| Westchester Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.6 |
| Hebron - Harman Elementary Hanover, MD | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Ruhrah Elementary/middle
What grades does John Ruhrah Elementary/middle serve?
John Ruhrah Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend John Ruhrah Elementary/middle?
John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,014 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Ruhrah Elementary/middle?
The student-teacher ratio at John Ruhrah Elementary/middle is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Ruhrah Elementary/middle rank in MD?
John Ruhrah Elementary/middle is ranked #939 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is John Ruhrah Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?
John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 John Ruhrah Elementary/middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has 7.5% math proficiency and 11.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John Ruhrah Elementary/middle a charter school?
No, John Ruhrah Elementary/middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Ruhrah Elementary/middle a Title I school?
No, John Ruhrah Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Ruhrah Elementary/middle?
59.5% of students at John Ruhrah 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 89 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 67 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 44 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,014
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 83
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Baltimore city
- Phone
- (410) 396-9125
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 75,811
- Schools in District
- 151
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,977
- District Rank
- #98 of 149
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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