Average
#538 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 39% in state
Patapsco Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
8885 Old Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ellicott City
#11 of 21
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#31 of 224
In district
#39 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Patapsco Middle
Patapsco Middle serves 638 students in grades 6-8 in Ellicott City, providing a solid educational foundation in Howard County's well-regarded school system. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains manageable class sizes that support individualized attention. Academically, Patapsco Middle earns a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #292 out of 1,364 Maryland schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.
The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 58% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 41% of students meeting proficiency standards, reflecting an area where the school continues to focus its efforts. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 21043 zip code, where the median household income reaches $145,000 and 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
This educated community environment, combined with a low poverty rate of just 4.6%, creates a supportive backdrop for learning. Located on Old Frederick Road in Ellicott City's large suburban setting, Patapsco Middle serves families in one of Howard County's most established and prosperous neighborhoods.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Patapsco Middle — Students at Patapsco Middle score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Patapsco Middle Compares
See how Patapsco Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 49.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 70% (2025).
Location
8885 Old Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Patapsco Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ellicott Mills Middle (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dunloggin Middle (rated 6.8/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Catonsville Middle (rated 6.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hollifield Station Elementary Ellicott City | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| St. Johns Lane Elementary Ellicott City | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| RESURRECTION ST PAUL SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Mount Hebron High Ellicott City | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| LINWOOD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| ST JOHNS PARISH DAY SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 3.4 mi | — |
| Catonsville Middle Catonsville | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Waverly Elementary Ellicott City | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Westchester Elementary Baltimore | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Chadwick Elementary Baltimore | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Centennial Lane Elementary Ellicott City | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 3.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Dogwood Elementary Baltimore | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Woodbridge Elementary Baltimore | 3.1 mi | 8.4 |
| GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City | 4.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,846
Median Home Value
$607,300
Median Rent
$1,964/mo
Population
47,134
College Educated
64.3%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Patapsco Middle has a median household income of $141,846. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,300, with a median rent of $1,964/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Smithsburg Middle Smithsburg, MD | 6.9 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia, MD | 6.9 |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland, MD | 7.0 |
| Calvert Middle Prince Frederick, MD | 7.0 |
| Northern Middle Hagerstown, MD | 7.0 |
| Perryville Middle Perryville, MD | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Patapsco Middle
What grades does Patapsco Middle serve?
Patapsco Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Patapsco Middle?
Patapsco Middle has an enrollment of approximately 638 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Patapsco Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Patapsco Middle is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Patapsco Middle rank in MD?
Patapsco Middle is ranked #538 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Patapsco Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Patapsco Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Patapsco Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Patapsco Middle has 44.1% math proficiency and 60.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Patapsco Middle a charter school?
No, Patapsco Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Patapsco Middle a Title I school?
No, Patapsco Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Patapsco Middle?
17.7% of students at Patapsco Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 638
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 313-2848
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #39 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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.
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