Average
#897 of 1,363 schools in MD
Running Brook Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
5215 W Running Brook Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#897 of 1,363
In Columbia
#23 of 23
public schools
In district
#73 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Running Brook Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bryant Woods Montessori Childrens House
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fusion Columbia
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Running Brook Elementary
Running Brook Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Running Brook Elementary serves approximately 389 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. Running Brook Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #897 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Running Brook Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 8.0
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 9:1 students to teachers, Running Brook Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Running Brook Elementary — Students at Running Brook Elementary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
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: 4.3/10.
How Running Brook Elementary Compares
See how Running Brook 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
5215 W Running Brook Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Running Brook Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Swansfield Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Talbott Springs Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.0 mi | — |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,924
Median Home Value
$541,100
Median Rent
$2,096/mo
Population
44,775
College Educated
67.3%
Homeownership
61.3%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
39.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ardmore Elementary Springdale, MD | 5.5 |
| Cannon Road Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 5.5 |
| G. Lisby Elementary at Hillsdale Aberdeen, MD | 5.5 |
| Malcolm Elementary School Waldorf, MD | 5.5 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville, MD | 5.5 |
| Riverside Elementary Joppa, MD | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Running Brook Elementary
What grades does Running Brook Elementary serve?
Running Brook Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Running Brook Elementary?
Running Brook Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Running Brook Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Running Brook Elementary is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Running Brook Elementary rank in MD?
Running Brook Elementary ranks #897 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Running Brook Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Running Brook Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Running Brook Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Running Brook Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Running Brook Elementary a charter school?
No, Running Brook Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Running Brook Elementary a Title I school?
No, Running Brook Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Running Brook Elementary?
50.4% of students at Running Brook 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6893
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #73 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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