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Average

#999 of 1,363 schools in MD

Northwood Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools

5201 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239

Enrollment

586

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#999 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#117 of 267

public schools

In district

#72 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Northwood Elementary

5.0/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cardinal Shehan School

4.2/10

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

Leith Walk Elementary/middle

2.6/10

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

About Northwood Elementary

Northwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Northwood Elementary serves approximately 586 students, and covers grades Pre-K-7th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #999 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Northwood Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at Northwood 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 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.7% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.2% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism42.7%

Northwood Elementary — Students at Northwood Elementary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 42.9% (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
81%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
23%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
23%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
25.7%
ELA
40.2%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Northwood Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
27th percentile in MD
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.7%

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

5201 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tunbridge Public Charter School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CARDINAL SHEHAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.3 mi 4.2
Leith Walk Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.6
Yorkwood Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 5.5
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore 1.0 mi 7.2
Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.3
Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 2.1
Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.7
Govans Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 3.6
Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High Baltimore 1.4 mi 3.1
EDWARDS ACADEMY CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE OF LEARNING Baltimore 1.1 mi
ST ELIZABETH SCHOOL Baltimore 1.3 mi 8.6
Tunbridge Public Charter School Baltimore 1.2 mi 7.6
Reginald F. Lewis High Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.8
Achievement Academy at Harbor City High Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.0
GOVANS PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Baltimore 1.3 mi
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Baltimore 1.6 mi 7.5
Montebello Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.7 mi 4.6
THE CHILDREN'S GUILD Chillum 1.6 mi 7.1
Waverly Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.8 mi 4.8
Baltimore City College Baltimore 1.9 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21239 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,288

Median Home Value

$191,200

Median Rent

$1,337/mo

Population

28,635

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

56.1%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barnaby Manor Elementary Oxon Hill, MD 5.0
Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg, MD 5.0
J. C. Parks Elementary School Indian Head, MD 5.0
Middletown Primary Middletown, MD 5.0
ST PHILIP NERI SCHOOL Linthicum Heights, MD 5.0
Seabrook Elementary Seabrook, MD 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwood Elementary

What grades does Northwood Elementary serve?

Northwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Northwood Elementary?

Northwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwood Elementary rank in MD?

Northwood Elementary ranks #999 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Northwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Northwood Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwood Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northwood Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Northwood Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

76.1% of students at Northwood 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
60 Good Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.7%

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