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Needs Improvement

#1334 of 1,363 schools in MD

Sussex Elementary

Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools

515 S Woodward Dr, Baltimore, MD 21221

Enrollment

445

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

2.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,334 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#249 of 267

public schools

In district

#161 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Sussex Elementary

2.7/10

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

Essex Elementary

3.6/10

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

Sandalwood Elementary

4.7/10

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

About Sussex Elementary

Sussex Elementary is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Sussex Elementary serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Sussex Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,334 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Sussex Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Sussex Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.2% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.9 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism45.8%

Sussex Elementary — Students at Sussex Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 43.8% (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
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
12.9%
ELA
23.2%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Sussex Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.7/10
2th percentile in MD
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.8%

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

515 S Woodward Dr, Baltimore, MD 21221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sussex Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orems Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Battle Grove Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mars Estates Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Essex Elementary Baltimore 0.7 mi 3.6
Sandalwood Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.7
Deep Creek Elementary Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.6
Deep Creek Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.6
Mars Estates Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 4.8
Eastern Technical High School Baltimore 1.5 mi 8.8
Stemmers Run Middle Baltimore 1.5 mi 4.2
Kenwood High Baltimore 1.6 mi 4.8
Middlesex Elementary Baltimore 1.8 mi 3.2
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Essex 1.7 mi 6.3
Orems Elementary Baltimore 2.0 mi 5.3
Battle Monument School Baltimore 2.2 mi 2.5
Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore 2.2 mi 4.8
Battle Grove Elementary Baltimore 2.4 mi 4.9
Middleborough Elementary Baltimore 1.9 mi 4.6
General John Stricker Middle Baltimore 2.3 mi 3.1
Bear Creek Elementary Baltimore 2.5 mi 3.3
Rosedale Center Baltimore 2.4 mi 5.8
Hawthorne Elementary Baltimore 2.4 mi 2.8
Red House Run Elementary Baltimore 2.4 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,368

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

43,536

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

59.3%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lansdowne Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.7
Dorothy I. Height Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
Hawthorne Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
Norwood Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
Berkshire Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.6
Deep Creek Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sussex Elementary

What grades does Sussex Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Sussex Elementary?

Sussex Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sussex Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sussex Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sussex Elementary rank in MD?

Sussex Elementary ranks #1,334 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Sussex Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sussex Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 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 Sussex Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sussex Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sussex Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sussex Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

73.0% of students at Sussex 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
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Baltimore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.8%

District

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

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