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Very Good

#288 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 21% in state

Sparks Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools

601 Belfast Rd, Sparks, MD 21152

Enrollment

497

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland elementary schools

#281 of 882

In district

#26 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Sparks Elementary

Sparks Elementary serves 497 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Belfast Road area of Sparks, Maryland. This well-regarded public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive meaningful individual attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #137 out of 1364 Maryland elementary schools.

Students consistently achieve solid results, with 76% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 67% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These outcomes reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential foundational skills across core subjects. Sparks Elementary draws families from a stable, well-educated community where 58% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $113,711.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 2.3%, contributing to a supportive learning environment. Home values averaging $500,500 reflect the community's investment in the neighborhood. The school enjoys a rural setting near the town of Sparks in Baltimore County, offering students a more spacious, peaceful learning environment while remaining accessible to the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sparks 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Math vs. State Avg+55.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.4 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+19.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,538

Sparks Elementary — Students at Sparks Elementary score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 72.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
85.7%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Sparks Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in MD
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

601 Belfast Rd, Sparks, MD 21152

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparks Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pot Spring Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Timonium), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pinewood Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Timonium), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Warren Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Cockeysville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sparks, see our Sparks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
THE TRELLIS SCHOOL Sparks 1.6 mi 7.7
Hereford Middle Monkton 2.2 mi 5.3
OLDFIELDS SCHOOL Sparks Glencoe 2.2 mi 8.0
SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Hunt Valley 3.6 mi 7.7
Hereford High Parkton 4.0 mi 5.3
Cockeysville Middle Cockeysville 5.1 mi 5.0
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL Cockeysville 5.6 mi 5.1
Mays Chapel Elementary Timonium 5.8 mi 5.8
Padonia International Elementary Cockeysville 5.8 mi 5.6
Warren Elementary Cockeysville 5.5 mi 6.6
APPLE TREE CHILDREN'S CENTER Cockeysville 6.0 mi 6.5
ST JAMES ACADEMY Monkton 5.1 mi 5.3
Dulaney High Timonium 6.2 mi 5.5
Pot Spring Elementary Timonium 6.5 mi 8.2
Pinewood Elementary Timonium 6.9 mi 7.3
Jacksonville Elementary Phoenix 5.8 mi 5.4
MONTESSORI MANOR Phoenix 6.1 mi
ST PAUL'S SCHOOL Brooklandville 7.7 mi 7.0
VILLA MARIA SCHOOL Timonium 7.2 mi 7.2
MARYVALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lutherville 7.8 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21152 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,833

Median Home Value

$529,200

Median Rent

$1,639/mo

Population

6,402

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

71%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

1.7%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sparks Elementary has a median household income of $119,833. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $529,200, with a median rent of $1,639/month. The local poverty rate of 1.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Bells Mill Elementary Potomac, MD 7.8
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School Waldorf, MD 7.8
FORCEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Silver Spring, MD 7.8
Featherbed Lane Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.8
Forest Lakes Elementary Forest Hill, MD 7.8
Fort Washington Forest Elem Fort Washington, MD 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparks Elementary

What grades does Sparks Elementary serve?

Sparks Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sparks Elementary?

Sparks Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 497 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparks Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparks Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sparks Elementary rank in MD?

Sparks Elementary is ranked #288 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Sparks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparks Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Sparks Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sparks Elementary has 68.9% math proficiency and 72.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sparks Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sparks Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sparks Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

13.3% of students at Sparks 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Baltimore County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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