Average
#732 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#16 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#618 of 882
In district
#49 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Running Brook Elementary
Running Brook Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Columbia, Maryland, part of Howard County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 389 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #745 out of 1364 schools in Maryland (which places it around the 46th percentile), Running Brook Elementary focuses on student development, especially in areas where there is room for academic growth like ELA/Reading proficiency at 33% and Math proficiency at 24%.
The school's setting in a mid-size city offers students a variety of community resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Running Brook Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Running Brook Elementary — Students at Running Brook Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 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: 5.4/10.
How Running Brook Elementary Compares
See how Running Brook Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 35% (2019) to 34.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 36.5% (2025).
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. Swansfield Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 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 | 8.3 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.0 mi | — |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 9.4 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Running Brook Elementary has a median household income of $132,924. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,100, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Benfield Elementary Severna Park, MD | 6.2 |
| Billie Holiday Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.2 |
| Carroll Manor Elementary Baldwin, MD | 6.2 |
| Cooper Lane Elementary Landover Hills, MD | 6.2 |
| Dynard Elementary Chaptico, MD | 6.2 |
| Fallstaff Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #732 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Running Brook Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Running Brook Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Running Brook Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Running Brook Elementary has 25.9% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6893
- 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
- #49 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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