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Below Average

#1201 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

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,201 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#178 of 267

public schools

In district

#109 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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John Ruhrah Elementary/middle

4.1/10

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

Graceland Park/o'donnell Heights Elementary/middle

3.9/10

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

Highlandtown Elementary/middle #237

4.1/10

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

About John Ruhrah Elementary/middle

John Ruhrah Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. John Ruhrah Elementary/middle serves approximately 1,014 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,201 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for John Ruhrah Elementary/middle show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at John Ruhrah 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 Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.4% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.1 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-21.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

John Ruhrah Elementary/middle — Students at John Ruhrah Elementary/middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 31.7% (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
78%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
13%
2025
Math
7.4%
ELA
16%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How John Ruhrah Elementary/middle Compares

See how John Ruhrah Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
12th percentile in MD
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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

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. Hampstead Hill Academy (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clay Hill Public Charter School (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ARCHBISHOP BORDERS SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Graceland Park/O'Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.9
Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #237 Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.1
Clay Hill Public Charter School Baltimore 0.8 mi 8.3
Holabird Academy Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.9
ARCHBISHOP BORDERS SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 7.1
Patterson High Baltimore 1.1 mi 3.8
Claremont School Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.1
Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #215 Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.1
Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.4 mi 5.6
Hampstead Hill Academy Baltimore 1.3 mi 8.6
ST CASIMIR CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 1.3 mi 7.1
Patterson Park Public Charter School Baltimore 1.6 mi 5.8
William Paca Elementary Baltimore 1.7 mi 3.6
ARCHBISHOP CURLEY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore 2.1 mi 5.0
GREATER GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 2.2 mi 7.4
Sinclair Lane Elementary Baltimore 2.2 mi 3.9
Norwood Elementary Baltimore 1.9 mi 2.8
Colgate Elementary Baltimore 1.9 mi 3.3
Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle Baltimore 2.2 mi 4.0
THE H.O.P.E. ACADEMY BALTIMORE, INC. Baltimore 2.3 mi 4.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #237 Baltimore, MD 4.1
The Belair-Edison School Baltimore, MD 4.1
Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 4.0
Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg, MD 4.2
High Point Elementary Pasadena, MD 4.2
Vincent Farm Elementary White Marsh, MD 4.2

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 ranks #1,201 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is John Ruhrah Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?

John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 John Ruhrah Elementary/middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Ruhrah Elementary/middle has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
89 Very Walkable
Transit Score
67 Good Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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