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Below Average

#1139 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

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#23 of 23

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#805 of 882

In district

#73 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Longfellow Elementary

Longfellow Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Columbia, Maryland, serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 423 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Longfellow Elementary has 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing educational environment.

The academic performance at Longfellow is solid but shows room for growth, with 37% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% proficient or above in Math. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 places it around the 52nd percentile among Maryland schools. Longfellow Elementary is situated in a mid-size city setting, offering students access to urban resources while maintaining a close-knit community feel.

The school's commitment to student development and supportive teaching staff helps create an engaging learning environment for its young scholars.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.8%
Math vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

Longfellow Elementary — Students at Longfellow Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 32.0%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 35.2%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
32.9%
ELA
30.8%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Longfellow Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in MD
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

5470 Hesperus Dr, Columbia, MD 21044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Longfellow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Swansfield Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 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 7.1
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 0.4 mi
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 0.7 mi 6.9
Swansfield Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 9.4
Wilde Lake High Columbia 0.8 mi 5.8
Homewood School Ellicott City 0.9 mi 5.0
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia 0.9 mi 8.3
BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia 0.9 mi
Running Brook Elementary Columbia 1.3 mi 6.2
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia 1.5 mi 6.9
Centennial High Ellicott City 2.0 mi 5.8
Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City 2.1 mi 5.9
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 7.2
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 2.4 mi 7.0
Atholton High Columbia 2.6 mi 5.3
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 2.4 mi
NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 2.3 mi
Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 7.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Longfellow Elementary has a median household income of $132,924. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,100, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Carrollton Elementary New Carrollton, MD 4.9
Dorothy I. Height Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.9
Germantown Elementary Annapolis, MD 4.9
Glenmar Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.9
Hollywood Elementary College Park, MD 4.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Towson, MD 4.9

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 is ranked #1139 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Longfellow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Longfellow Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Longfellow Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Longfellow Elementary has 32.0% math proficiency and 35.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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