Average
#828 of 1,363 schools in MD
Matthew A. Henson Elementary
Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools
1600 N Payson Street, Baltimore, MD 21217
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#828 of 1,363
In Baltimore
#77 of 267
public schools
In district
#48 of 149
Baltimore City Public Schools
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Matthew A. Henson Elementary
Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Carver Vocational-technical High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Song Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Matthew A. Henson Elementary
Matthew A. Henson Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Matthew A.
Henson Elementary serves approximately 198 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Matthew A. Henson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #828 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Matthew A. Henson Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 198 students, Matthew A. Henson Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
73% of students at Matthew A. Henson 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
Matthew A. Henson Elementary — Students at Matthew A. Henson Elementary score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 5.9/10.
How Matthew A. Henson Elementary Compares
See how Matthew A. Henson 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
1600 N Payson Street, Baltimore, MD 21217
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Matthew A. Henson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Song Academy (rated 5.5/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harlem Park Elementary/Middle (rated 5.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,207
Median Home Value
$175,900
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Population
31,125
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
32.6%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
30.5%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CARDINAL HICKEY ACADEMY Owings, MD | 5.7 |
| Hancock Elementary Hancock, MD | 5.7 |
| Manor View Elementary Ft. Meade, MD | 5.7 |
| The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.7 |
| GEORGE E PETERS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Hyattsville, MD | 5.8 |
| George's Creek Elementary Lonaconing, MD | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Matthew A. Henson Elementary
What grades does Matthew A. Henson Elementary serve?
Matthew A. Henson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Matthew A. Henson Elementary?
Matthew A. Henson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Matthew A. Henson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Matthew A. Henson Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Matthew A. Henson Elementary rank in MD?
Matthew A. Henson Elementary ranks #828 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Matthew A. Henson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Matthew A. Henson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Matthew A. Henson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Matthew A. Henson Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Matthew A. Henson Elementary a charter school?
No, Matthew A. Henson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Matthew A. Henson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Matthew A. Henson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Matthew A. Henson Elementary?
90.9% of students at Matthew A. Henson 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Baltimore city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 73.2%
- Phone
- (410) 396-0776
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 75,811
- Schools in District
- 151
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,977
- District Rank
- #48 of 149
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