Average
#897 of 1,363 schools in MD
Running Brook Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools · Columbia, MD
A Howard County Public Schools elementary school where students score 8 points below what's typical for similar communities.
5215 W Running Brook Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
- Math 27% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 35% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Running Brook Elementary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 12 points since 2020, reaching 31% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 53% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
50.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Running Brook Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 14Car-Dependent
- Transit 43Some Transit
- Bike 26Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$132,924
Median home value
$541,100
Median rent
$2,096/mo
College educated
67.3%
Homeownership
61.3%
Poverty rate
7.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 21044; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant Woods ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.7 | PK–5 | 0.7 mi | 359 | Compare → |
| Bryant Woods Montessori Childrens HousePrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–K | 0.7 mi | 2 | Compare → |
| Columbia Montessori SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–K | 1.0 mi | 3 | Compare → |
| Thunder Hill ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.6 | K–5 | 1.2 mi | 454 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Howard County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 78
- Rank in district
- #73 of 76
- District spending per student
- $19,256NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Running Brook Elementary is listed in Howard County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Running Brook Elementary
Running Brook Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools, serving approximately 389 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #897 of 1,363 schools in MD. State assessment records show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6893
- Area population (ZIP 21044)
- 44,775
- Area average commute
- 29.4 min
- Area median age
- 39.9
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 21044; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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