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#827 of 1,363 schools in MD

Sunset Elementary

Elementary School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools

8572 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Enrollment

440

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pasadena

#9 of 12

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#675 of 882

In district

#81 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Equity

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Sunset Elementary

Sunset Elementary, located in Pasadena, Maryland, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 440 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of its students.

Sunset Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, placing it in the 40th percentile among Maryland schools. Academically, the school scores a 6.1 out of 10, with 48% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 29% proficient or above in Math. These numbers suggest that while there is room for improvement, Sunset Elementary is focused on student development and growth.

Sunset Elementary sits in a large suburban area where families enjoy a mix of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities. The school serves as an integral part of the community, fostering educational opportunities for young learners within this vibrant setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.4%
Math vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,620

Sunset Elementary — Students at Sunset Elementary score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.6%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 48.9%
School
State
51.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
46%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
36.5%
ELA
55.4%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Sunset Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in MD
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

8572 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riviera Beach Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freetown Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Glen Burnie), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jacobsville Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pasadena, see our Pasadena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northeast High Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.0
Riviera Beach Elementary Pasadena 0.7 mi 9.5
DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.2
DEVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pasadena 0.8 mi 6.8
High Point Elementary Pasadena 1.1 mi 6.9
Jacobsville Elementary Pasadena 2.2 mi 8.5
Northeast Middle Pasadena 2.1 mi 5.2
Solley Elementary Glen Burnie 2.2 mi 6.3
Fort Smallwood Elementary Pasadena 2.9 mi 6.3
Lake Shore Elementary Pasadena 3.7 mi 7.9
Freetown Elementary Glen Burnie 3.3 mi 8.7
Pasadena Elementary Pasadena 3.9 mi 6.2
Point Pleasant Elementary Glen Burnie 3.9 mi 6.1
Marley Middle Glen Burnie 3.9 mi 5.2
Folger Mckinsey Elementary Severna Park 5.0 mi 7.4
Marley Elementary Glen Burnie 4.0 mi 7.2
Marley Glen School Glen Burnie 4.0 mi 4.3
Chesapeake High Pasadena 4.4 mi 4.7
Chesapeake Bay Middle Pasadena 4.5 mi 6.5
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Glen Burnie 4.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,732

Median Home Value

$412,100

Median Rent

$2,077/mo

Population

61,589

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunset Elementary has a median household income of $121,732. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $412,100, with a median rent of $2,077/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Beall Elementary Frostburg, MD 5.9
Bethesda Elementary Bethesda, MD 5.9
Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.9
Georgetown East Elementary Annapolis, MD 5.9
Great Seneca Creek Elementary Germantown, MD 5.9
HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Bowie, MD 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunset Elementary

What grades does Sunset Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Sunset Elementary?

Sunset Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunset Elementary rank in MD?

Sunset Elementary is ranked #827 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Sunset Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Sunset Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset Elementary has 31.6% math proficiency and 48.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sunset Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sunset Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

42.5% of students at Sunset 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Anne Arundel County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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