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Needs Improvement

#1317 of 1,363 schools in MD

Sandy Plains Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools

8330 Kavanagh Rd, Baltimore, MD 21222

Enrollment

532

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,317 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#240 of 267

public schools

In district

#153 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Sandy Plains Elementary

3.0/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Patapsco High and Center for Arts

4.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bear Creek Elementary

3.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sandy Plains Elementary

Sandy Plains Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Sandy Plains Elementary serves approximately 532 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sandy Plains Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,317 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Sandy Plains Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

50% of students at Sandy Plains Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.8% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.3 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism50.2%

Sandy Plains Elementary — Students at Sandy Plains Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 37.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
11%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
11%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
12.5%
ELA
17.8%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Sandy Plains Elementary Compares

See how Sandy Plains Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in MD
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8330 Kavanagh Rd, Baltimore, MD 21222

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandy Plains Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgemere Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Battle Grove Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charlesmont Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Patapsco High and Center for Arts Baltimore 0.4 mi 4.1
Bear Creek Elementary Baltimore 0.6 mi 3.3
OUR LADY OF HOPE ST LUKE SCHOOL Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.6
Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.8
Battle Monument School Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.5
Battle Grove Elementary Baltimore 0.8 mi 4.9
General John Stricker Middle Baltimore 1.0 mi 3.1
Grange Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 3.2
Logan Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 4.5
Dundalk Middle Baltimore 1.5 mi 2.7
Dundalk High Baltimore 1.7 mi 3.1
Southeast EDLP at Dundalk High School Towson 1.7 mi
Dundalk Elementary Baltimore 1.7 mi 2.0
Holabird Middle Baltimore 2.0 mi 4.2
Norwood Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 2.8
Berkshire Elementary Baltimore 2.3 mi 2.6
Sandalwood Elementary Baltimore 2.8 mi 4.7
Edgemere Elementary Baltimore 2.6 mi 6.7
Sussex Elementary Baltimore 3.1 mi 2.7
Deep Creek Middle Baltimore 2.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21222 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,934

Median Home Value

$200,800

Median Rent

$1,390/mo

Population

58,935

College Educated

13.5%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Halstead Academy Baltimore, MD 3.0
J. P. Ryon Elementary School Waldorf, MD 3.0
Edmondson Heights Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.1
Pleasant Plains Elementary Towson, MD 2.9
Victory Villa Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.1
Woodholme Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sandy Plains Elementary

What grades does Sandy Plains Elementary serve?

Sandy Plains Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sandy Plains Elementary?

Sandy Plains Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 532 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandy Plains Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sandy Plains Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sandy Plains Elementary rank in MD?

Sandy Plains Elementary ranks #1,317 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Sandy Plains Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandy Plains Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Sandy Plains Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sandy Plains Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sandy Plains Elementary a charter school?

No, Sandy Plains Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sandy Plains Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sandy Plains Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandy Plains Elementary?

78.4% of students at Sandy Plains 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Baltimore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.2%

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#153 of 169

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