Skip to main content

Average

#909 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

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#909 of 1,363

In Pasadena

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#85 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Sunset Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Sunset Elementary

5.4/10

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

Northeast High

5.6/10

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

Riviera Beach Elementary

7.5/10

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

About Sunset Elementary

Sunset Elementary is a public elementary school in Pasadena, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Sunset Elementary serves approximately 440 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunset Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #909 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Sunset Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.7% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.6% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,624
Chronic Absenteeism20.9%

Sunset Elementary — Students at Sunset Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 64.9% (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
96%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
99.5%
ELA
97%
2012
Math
97%
ELA
97%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
97.5%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
27.7%
ELA
52.6%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Sunset Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
33th percentile in MD
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

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

8572 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunset Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Folger Mckinsey Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Severna Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pasadena Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riviera Beach Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 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 5.6
Riviera Beach Elementary Pasadena 0.7 mi 7.5
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 4.2
Jacobsville Elementary Pasadena 2.2 mi 5.1
Northeast Middle Pasadena 2.1 mi 5.2
Solley Elementary Glen Burnie 2.2 mi 5.2
Fort Smallwood Elementary Pasadena 2.9 mi 6.7
Lake Shore Elementary Pasadena 3.7 mi 6.6
Freetown Elementary Glen Burnie 3.3 mi 5.1
Pasadena Elementary Pasadena 3.9 mi 7.7
Point Pleasant Elementary Glen Burnie 3.9 mi 5.1
Marley Middle Glen Burnie 3.9 mi 5.8
Folger Mckinsey Elementary Severna Park 5.0 mi 8.9
Marley Elementary Glen Burnie 4.0 mi 3.8
Marley Glen School Glen Burnie 4.0 mi 2.8
Chesapeake High Pasadena 4.4 mi 5.8
Chesapeake Bay Middle Pasadena 4.5 mi 7.0
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Glen Burnie 4.2 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Centreville Elementary School Centreville, MD 5.4
Curtis Bay Elementary Baltimore, MD 5.4
Glendale Elementary Glen Burnie, MD 5.4
Halls Cross Roads Elementary Aberdeen, MD 5.4
Kemp Mill Elementary Silver Spring, MD 5.4
Laurel Elementary Laurel, MD 5.4

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 ranks #909 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Sunset Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunset Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Sunset Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.