Average
#1104 of 1,363 schools in MD
Johnston Square Elementary
Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools
1101 Valley Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#201 of 267
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#787 of 882
In district
#119 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
About Johnston Square Elementary
Johnston Square Elementary is a public elementary school located in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 244 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Johnston Square Elementary shows there is room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #1321 out of 1364 schools in Maryland.
On average, only 2% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 4% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to supporting its students' development and providing a nurturing environment within the bustling city setting. Johnston Square Elementary aims to offer quality education tailored to the needs of each student, fostering growth and learning opportunities that go beyond standardized test scores.
The school sits in a vibrant part of Baltimore, where community support and engagement play crucial roles in shaping the educational experience for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Johnston Square Elementary 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Johnston Square Elementary — Students at Johnston Square Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 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: 6.5/10.
How Johnston Square Elementary Compares
See how Johnston Square Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 7.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
1101 Valley Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Johnston Square Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harford Heights Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School (rated 7.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, City Springs Elementary/Middle (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eager Street Academy Baltimore | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Baltimore Design School Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Cecil Elementary Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| National Academy Foundation Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar High Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| THE LOYOLA SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.6 mi | — |
| MOTHER SETON ACADEMY Baltimore | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| TONG LE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.9 mi | — |
| Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Baltimore School for the Arts Baltimore | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.9 mi | — |
| City Springs Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,578
Median Home Value
$307,700
Median Rent
$1,497/mo
Population
21,506
College Educated
48.3%
Homeownership
20.8%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
24%
Median Age
33.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Johnston Square Elementary has a median household income of $61,578. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,700, with a median rent of $1,497/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.0 |
| Charlestown Elementary Charlestown, MD | 5.0 |
| Dickey Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.0 |
| Frederick Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.0 |
| Midtown Academy Baltimore, MD | 5.0 |
| Glenmar Elementary Baltimore, MD | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Johnston Square Elementary
What grades does Johnston Square Elementary serve?
Johnston Square Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Johnston Square Elementary?
Johnston Square Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnston Square Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Square Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Johnston Square Elementary rank in MD?
Johnston Square Elementary is ranked #1104 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Johnston Square Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Johnston Square Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Johnston Square Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston Square Elementary has 3.8% math proficiency and 2.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Johnston Square Elementary a charter school?
No, Johnston Square Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Johnston Square Elementary a Title I school?
No, Johnston Square Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnston Square Elementary?
93.0% of students at Johnston Square 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Baltimore city
- Phone
- (410) 396-1477
- 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
- #119 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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