Average
#1012 of 1,363 schools in MD
Lake Elkhorn Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#21 of 23
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#144 of 224
In district
#70 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Lake Elkhorn Middle
Lake Elkhorn Middle, a regular public school in Columbia, Maryland, caters to students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 622 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with 46 full-time equivalent teachers. Lake Elkhorn Middle's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.0 out of 10, placing it in the 58th percentile among Maryland schools.
Academically, students have room for growth, with 38% reaching proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 17% achieving similar levels in Math. The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Howard County, providing students access to various resources and opportunities beyond the classroom. Lake Elkhorn Middle focuses on fostering student development and community engagement, making it a welcoming place for young learners in Columbia.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lake Elkhorn Middle — Students at Lake Elkhorn Middle score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 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: 4.8/10.
How Lake Elkhorn Middle Compares
See how Lake Elkhorn Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 19.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36.9% (2025).
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. Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cradlerock Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 7.7 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Guilford Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Elkhorn Middle has a median household income of $117,323. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,500, with a median rent of $1,768/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Banneker Middle Burtonsville, MD | 5.4 |
| Dundalk Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.4 |
| Easton Middle Easton, MD | 5.4 |
| Kent County Middle School Chestertown, MD | 5.4 |
| Lockerman Middle School Denton, MD | 5.4 |
| Westminster East Middle Westminster, MD | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1012 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Lake Elkhorn Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Elkhorn Middle has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Lake Elkhorn Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Elkhorn Middle has 16.1% math proficiency and 35.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-7600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #70 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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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