Very Good
#422 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 31% in state
Lake Elkhorn Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#422 of 1,363
In Columbia
#10 of 23
public schools
In district
#54 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Lake Elkhorn Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cradlerock Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Mandala School Inc
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lake Elkhorn Middle
Lake Elkhorn Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Lake Elkhorn Middle serves approximately 622 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Lake Elkhorn Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #422 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Lake Elkhorn Middle show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 8.2
- MD avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lake Elkhorn Middle — Students at Lake Elkhorn Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 24 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: 8.7/10.
How Lake Elkhorn Middle Compares
See how Lake Elkhorn Middle 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
6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Elkhorn Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Atholton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Guilford Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,323
Median Home Value
$438,500
Median Rent
$1,768/mo
Population
40,866
College Educated
57.4%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Murray Hill Middle Laurel, MD | 7.4 |
| Sligo Middle Silver Spring, MD | 7.4 |
| Northern Middle Hagerstown, MD | 7.5 |
| Centreville Middle School Centreville, MD | 7.3 |
| Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle Frederick, MD | 7.3 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia, MD | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Elkhorn Middle
What grades does Lake Elkhorn Middle serve?
Lake Elkhorn Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Lake Elkhorn Middle?
Lake Elkhorn Middle has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Elkhorn Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Elkhorn Middle is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Elkhorn Middle rank in MD?
Lake Elkhorn Middle ranks #422 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Lake Elkhorn Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Elkhorn Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Lake Elkhorn Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lake Elkhorn Middle has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).
Is Lake Elkhorn Middle a charter school?
No, Lake Elkhorn Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Elkhorn Middle a Title I school?
No, Lake Elkhorn Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Elkhorn Middle?
51.0% of students at Lake Elkhorn 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 622
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.9%
- Phone
- (410) 313-7600
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #54 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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