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Average

#720 of 1,363 schools in MD

Longfellow Elementary

Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools

5470 Hesperus Dr, Columbia, MD 21044

Enrollment

423

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#720 of 1,363

In Columbia

#19 of 23

public schools

In district

#67 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Longfellow Elementary

6.2/10

Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harpers Choice Middle

6.3/10

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

Columbia Montessori School

Nearby

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

About Longfellow Elementary

Longfellow Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Longfellow Elementary serves approximately 423 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Longfellow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #720 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Longfellow Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 8.0
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.7% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,256
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

Longfellow Elementary — Students at Longfellow Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 55.5% (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
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
31.7%
ELA
38.9%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Longfellow Elementary Compares

See how Longfellow Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in MD
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

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

5470 Hesperus Dr, Columbia, MD 21044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Longfellow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Swansfield Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Talbott Springs Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Harpers Choice Middle Columbia 0.3 mi 6.3
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 0.4 mi
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 0.7 mi 7.8
Swansfield Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 7.4
Wilde Lake High Columbia 0.8 mi 6.3
Homewood School Ellicott City 0.9 mi 5.2
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia 0.9 mi 6.7
BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia 0.9 mi
Running Brook Elementary Columbia 1.3 mi 5.5
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia 1.5 mi 6.9
Centennial High Ellicott City 2.0 mi 8.7
Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City 2.1 mi 9.2
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 8.1
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 2.4 mi 7.0
Atholton High Columbia 2.6 mi 7.5
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 2.4 mi
NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 2.3 mi
Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 7.3
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 2.6 mi
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 2.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,924

Median Home Value

$541,100

Median Rent

$2,096/mo

Population

44,775

College Educated

67.3%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Conowingo Elementary Conowingo, MD 6.2
Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown, MD 6.2
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School Newburg, MD 6.2
Fairland Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.2
Halethorpe Elementary Halethorpe, MD 6.2
Lamont Elementary New Carrollton, MD 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Longfellow Elementary

What grades does Longfellow Elementary serve?

Longfellow Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Longfellow Elementary?

Longfellow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Longfellow Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Longfellow Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Longfellow Elementary rank in MD?

Longfellow Elementary ranks #720 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Longfellow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Longfellow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Longfellow Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Longfellow Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Longfellow Elementary a charter school?

No, Longfellow Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Longfellow Elementary a Title I school?

No, Longfellow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Longfellow Elementary?

44.2% of students at Longfellow 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Howard County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

District

Howard County Public Schools
District Enrollment
57,633
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,256
District Rank
#67 of 76

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