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Average

#824 of 1,363 schools in MD

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

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#824 of 1,363

In district

#73 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Shady Side Elementary

5.7/10

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

Carrie Weedon Early Education Center

5.6/10

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

Mayo Elementary

7.2/10

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

About Shady Side Elementary

Shady Side Elementary is a public elementary school in Shady Side, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Shady Side Elementary serves approximately 396 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Shady Side Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #824 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Shady Side Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Shady Side Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.4% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,624
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Shady Side Elementary — Students at Shady Side Elementary score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 63.3% (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
92%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
39.4%
ELA
50%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Shady Side Elementary Compares

See how Shady Side Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
40th percentile in MD
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

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

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 9.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mayo Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), 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 5.6
Mayo Elementary Edgewater 3.8 mi 7.2
THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater 5.0 mi 8.1
Deale Elementary Deale 5.0 mi 7.1
KEY SCHOOL Annapolis 6.3 mi 6.6
Central Middle Edgewater 6.1 mi 8.4
South River High Edgewater 6.3 mi 7.9
ST ANNES SCHOOL OF ANNAPOLIS Annapolis 6.9 mi 6.6
Central Elementary Edgewater 6.6 mi 8.3
Hillsmere Elementary Annapolis 7.0 mi 9.0
Central Special School Edgewater 6.6 mi 2.5
Southern Middle Lothian 5.7 mi 6.5
Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing 6.3 mi 5.5
Lothian Elementary Lothian 5.8 mi 6.3
Edgewater Elementary Edgewater 7.3 mi 6.9
Georgetown East Elementary Annapolis 7.8 mi 4.5
Tyler Heights Elementary Annapolis 7.9 mi 4.9
PATHWAYS SCHOOL--ANNE ARUNDEL Annapolis 7.9 mi 6.8
Southern High Harwood 6.4 mi 6.5
Annapolis Middle Annapolis 8.1 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beacon Heights Elementary Riverdale, MD 5.7
Deer Park Elementary Owings Mills, MD 5.7
Excel Academy Public Charter Fort Washington, MD 5.7
Francis T. Evans Elementary Clinton, MD 5.7
Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.7
Mary E. Rodman Elementary Baltimore, MD 5.7

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 ranks #824 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Shady Side Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Shady Side Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Shady Side Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shady Side Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
District Enrollment
84,346
Schools in District
126
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,624
District Rank
#73 of 123

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