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Average

#569 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 42% in state

Northfield Elementary

Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools

9125 Northfield Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Enrollment

749

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ellicott City

#13 of 21

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#513 of 882

In district

#42 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Northfield Elementary

Northfield Elementary serves 749 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Ellicott City's affluent 21042 zip code area of Howard County. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 96th out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide.

Students show particularly solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 72% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 60% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's 9.4 out of 10 academic score. Northfield Elementary draws families from a highly educated community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $178,207.

The neighborhood's low 4.1% poverty rate and median home values of $650,900 indicate a stable, resource-rich environment that supports student learning. Located on Northfield Road, the school serves families in this large suburban setting where educational achievement and community investment create an environment focused on academic success and student development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.9%
Math vs. State Avg+31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

Northfield Elementary — Students at Northfield Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
51.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
62.1%
ELA
69.9%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Northfield Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in MD
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

9125 Northfield Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Worthington Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phelps Luck Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Centennial Lane Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City 0.1 mi 6.8
Veterans Elementary Ellicott City 0.9 mi 7.2
ST JOHNS PARISH DAY SCHOOL Ellicott City 1.3 mi 7.4
Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City 1.2 mi 8.2
CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City 1.2 mi
RESURRECTION ST PAUL SCHOOL Ellicott City 1.8 mi 5.2
Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 6.0
Centennial Lane Elementary Ellicott City 1.8 mi 8.4
GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City 1.9 mi
Howard High Ellicott City 2.2 mi 5.7
St. Johns Lane Elementary Ellicott City 2.4 mi 6.8
Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 8.7
LINWOOD SCHOOL Ellicott City 2.1 mi 6.8
Worthington Elementary Ellicott City 2.0 mi 9.0
Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City 2.0 mi 5.9
Running Brook Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 6.2
Centennial High Ellicott City 2.1 mi 5.8
Patapsco Middle Ellicott City 3.0 mi 6.9
Mount Hebron High Ellicott City 3.1 mi 5.9
Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia 3.0 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$190,504

Median Home Value

$674,700

Median Rent

$2,253/mo

Population

43,021

College Educated

74.7%

Homeownership

85.4%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northfield Elementary has a median household income of $190,504. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $674,700, with a median rent of $2,253/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% 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
Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville, MD 6.8
Chadwick Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.8
Galway Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.8
Glade Elementary Walkersville, MD 6.8
Huntingtown Elementary Huntingtown, MD 6.8
Leith Walk Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northfield Elementary

What grades does Northfield Elementary serve?

Northfield Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Northfield Elementary?

Northfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 749 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northfield Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northfield Elementary rank in MD?

Northfield Elementary is ranked #569 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northfield Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Northfield Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northfield Elementary has 58.5% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northfield Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Northfield Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

15.2% of students at Northfield 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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
749
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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
#42 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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