Average
#553 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 41% in state
Shady Side Elementary
Elementary School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools
4859 Atwell Rd, Shady Side, MD 20764
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland elementary schools
#502 of 882
In district
#55 of 123
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Shady Side Elementary
Shady Side Elementary is a public elementary school located in the rural setting of Shady Side, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 396 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it at number 475 among Maryland’s 1364 schools.
Academically, Shady Side Elementary scores a 6.8/10 on the academic performance scale, with 44% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 27% proficient or above in math. While there is room for academic growth, particularly in math proficiency, Shady Side Elementary focuses on nurturing student development and providing a supportive learning environment. The rural setting near the town offers a peaceful backdrop for young learners to explore and grow.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Shady Side Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Shady Side Elementary — Students at Shady Side Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26%
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: 7.1/10.
How Shady Side Elementary Compares
See how Shady Side Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 40% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 48.4% (2025).
Location
4859 Atwell Rd, Shady Side, MD 20764
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shady Side Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hillsmere Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deale Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Deale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shady Side, see our Shady Side schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Mayo Elementary Edgewater | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater | 5.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Deale Elementary Deale | 5.0 mi | 8.2 |
| KEY SCHOOL Annapolis | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Middle Edgewater | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| South River High Edgewater | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ANNES SCHOOL OF ANNAPOLIS Annapolis | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Elementary Edgewater | 6.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Hillsmere Elementary Annapolis | 7.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Central Special School Edgewater | 6.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Southern Middle Lothian | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing | 6.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lothian Elementary Lothian | 5.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Edgewater Elementary Edgewater | 7.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Georgetown East Elementary Annapolis | 7.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Tyler Heights Elementary Annapolis | 7.9 mi | 7.9 |
| PATHWAYS SCHOOL--ANNE ARUNDEL Annapolis | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Southern High Harwood | 6.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Annapolis Middle Annapolis | 8.1 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20764 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,129
Median Home Value
$376,800
Median Rent
$2,204/mo
Population
3,011
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
82.1%
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
52.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shady Side Elementary has a median household income of $111,129. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,800, with a median rent of $2,204/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville, MD | 6.8 |
| Cecilton Elementary Cecilton, MD | 6.8 |
| Excel Academy Public Charter Fort Washington, MD | 6.8 |
| Glade Elementary Walkersville, MD | 6.8 |
| Huntingtown Elementary Huntingtown, MD | 6.8 |
| Melwood Elementary Upper Marlboro, MD | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shady Side Elementary
What grades does Shady Side Elementary serve?
Shady Side Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Shady Side Elementary?
Shady Side Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shady Side Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Shady Side Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shady Side Elementary rank in MD?
Shady Side Elementary is ranked #553 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Shady Side Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Shady Side Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Shady Side Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shady Side Elementary has 26.8% math proficiency and 43.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shady Side Elementary a charter school?
No, Shady Side Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shady Side Elementary a Title I school?
No, Shady Side Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shady Side Elementary?
26.0% of students at Shady Side 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Anne Arundel County
- Phone
- (410) 222-1621
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Anne Arundel County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 84,346
- Schools in District
- 126
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,624
- District Rank
- #55 of 123
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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