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Very Good

#420 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 31% in state

Swansfield Elementary

Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools

5610 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Enrollment

602

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#420 of 1,363

In Columbia

#9 of 23

public schools

In district

#52 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Swansfield Elementary

7.4/10

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

Stevens Forest Elementary

7.8/10

Columbia, MD. Compare side by side with Swansfield Elementary before ruling this option in or out.

Phelps Luck Elementary

7.6/10

Columbia, MD. Compare side by side with Swansfield Elementary before ruling this option in or out.

About Swansfield Elementary

Swansfield Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Swansfield Elementary serves approximately 602 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Swansfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #420 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Swansfield Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.0
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,256
Chronic Absenteeism25.6%

Swansfield Elementary — Students at Swansfield Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 52.1% (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
81%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
33%
2025
Math
45.3%
ELA
55.7%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Swansfield Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
69th percentile in MD
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

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

5610 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swansfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clarksville Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Clarksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Atholton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Harpers Choice Middle Columbia 0.5 mi 6.3
Longfellow Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 6.2
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 0.6 mi 7.8
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 0.8 mi
Wilde Lake High Columbia 0.8 mi 6.3
Homewood School Ellicott City 1.4 mi 5.2
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia 1.2 mi 6.7
BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia 1.2 mi
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 1.8 mi 8.1
Atholton High Columbia 2.0 mi 7.5
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 2.0 mi 7.0
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia 1.7 mi 6.9
Running Brook Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 5.5
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 2.3 mi
Atholton Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 8.2
River Hill High Clarksville 2.2 mi 8.7
Clarksville Elementary Clarksville 2.2 mi 9.4
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 2.4 mi
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 2.8 mi 7.3
Centennial High Ellicott City 2.7 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,924

Median Home Value

$541,100

Median Rent

$2,096/mo

Population

44,775

College Educated

67.3%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bel Pre Elementary Silver Spring, MD 7.4
Benjamin D. Foulois Academy Morningside, MD 7.4
Calvert Elementary Prince Frederick, MD 7.4
Cranberry Station Elementary Westminster, MD 7.4
Hurlock Elementary School Hurlock, MD 7.4
Hyattsville Elementary Hyattsville, MD 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swansfield Elementary

What grades does Swansfield Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Swansfield Elementary?

Swansfield Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 602 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swansfield Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Swansfield Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swansfield Elementary rank in MD?

Swansfield Elementary ranks #420 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Swansfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Swansfield Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Swansfield Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Swansfield Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Swansfield Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Swansfield Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

39.5% of students at Swansfield 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Swansfield Elementary stack up?

Stevens Forest Elementary
7.8
Phelps Luck Elementary
7.6
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Howard County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

District

Howard County Public Schools
District Enrollment
57,633
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,256
District Rank
#52 of 76

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