Excellent
#174 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 13% 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
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#174 of 1,363
In Ellicott City
#15 of 21
public schools
In district
#32 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Patapsco Middle
Middle School in Ellicott City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hollifield Station Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St. Johns Lane Elementary
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Patapsco Middle
Patapsco Middle is a public middle school in Ellicott City, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Patapsco Middle serves approximately 638 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Patapsco Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #174 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Patapsco Middle show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 8.2
- MD avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Patapsco Middle — Students at Patapsco Middle score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
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 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: 8.4/10.
How Patapsco Middle Compares
See how Patapsco Middle 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
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 9.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dunloggin Middle (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Catonsville Middle (rated 6.0/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.2 |
| St. Johns Lane Elementary Ellicott City | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| RESURRECTION ST PAUL SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Mount Hebron High Ellicott City | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| LINWOOD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOHNS PARISH DAY SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 3.3 mi | 9.1 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 3.4 mi | — |
| Catonsville Middle Catonsville | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Waverly Elementary Ellicott City | 2.8 mi | 9.5 |
| Westchester Elementary Baltimore | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Chadwick Elementary Baltimore | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Centennial Lane Elementary Ellicott City | 3.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 3.9 mi | 9.8 |
| Dogwood Elementary Baltimore | 3.3 mi | 3.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Severn River Middle Arnold, MD | 8.5 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City, MD | 8.4 |
| John Poole Middle Poolesville, MD | 8.6 |
| Pocomoke Middle Pocomoke City, MD | 8.4 |
| Westland Middle Bethesda, MD | 8.6 |
| Magothy River Middle Arnold, MD | 8.3 |
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 ranks #174 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Patapsco Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Patapsco Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Patapsco Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Patapsco Middle has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-2848
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #32 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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