Needs Improvement
#1299 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
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#1,299 of 1,363
In Baltimore
#226 of 267
public schools
In district
#131 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
Shortlisting around Johnston Square Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Johnston Square Elementary
Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eager Street Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Frances Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Johnston Square Elementary
Johnston Square Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Johnston Square Elementary serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Johnston Square Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,299 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Johnston Square Elementary show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
74% of students at Johnston Square Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Johnston Square Elementary — Students at Johnston Square Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).
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 27 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.0/10.
How Johnston Square Elementary Compares
See how Johnston Square Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, City Springs Elementary/Middle (rated 5.9/10, 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 | 5.3 |
| ST FRANCES ACADEMY Baltimore | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Baltimore Design School Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Cecil Elementary Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 2.4 |
| National Academy Foundation Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar High Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| Baltimore School for the Arts Baltimore | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 0.9 mi | — |
| City Springs Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| BALTIMORE LAB SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gardenville Elementary Baltimore, MD | 3.2 |
| John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights, MD | 3.2 |
| Milbrook Elementary Baltimore, MD | 3.2 |
| Seat Pleasant Elementary Capital Heights, MD | 3.2 |
| Rosemont Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 3.3 |
| Annapolis Elementary Annapolis, MD | 3.4 |
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 ranks #1,299 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Johnston Square Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Johnston Square Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Johnston Square Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Johnston Square Elementary has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 74.2%
- Phone
- (410) 396-1477
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 75,811
- Schools in District
- 151
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,977
- District Rank
- #131 of 149
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.