Excellent
#12 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 1% in state
Swansfield Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
5610 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#1 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#12 of 882
In district
#1 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Swansfield Elementary
Swansfield Elementary serves 602 students in grades PK through 5 in Columbia, Maryland. With a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 and a growth score of 9.9, the school earns an Exceptional rating — among the strongest outcomes in the state. The numbers back that up.
Swansfield ranks first out of 23 schools in Columbia and 12th out of 1,363 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of Maryland schools overall. Its academic score of 8.7 reflects strong measured achievement, while that near-perfect growth score signals that students are making consistent gains year over year — not just arriving ahead. The student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1 keeps class sizes tight relative to most public elementary programs.
Swansfield operates as a regular public school, meaning these results come without selective admissions or specialized enrollment criteria. For families comparing elementary options in the Howard County area, the school's standing — 12th among 882 elementary schools across Maryland — is a concrete benchmark worth weighing. Parents prioritizing both academic performance and measurable student growth will find Swansfield difficult to overlook at this level.
Score Breakdown
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Swansfield Elementary — Students at Swansfield Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.9/10.
How Swansfield Elementary Compares
See how Swansfield Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 56.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 61.1% (2025).
Location
5610 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swansfield Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Atholton Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, COLUMBIA ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.1 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.3 mi | — |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| River Hill High Clarksville | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Clarksville Elementary Clarksville | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swansfield Elementary has a median household income of $132,924. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,100, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Hillsmere Elementary Annapolis, MD | 9.4 |
| Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus Lusby, MD | 9.4 |
| Wilson Wims Elementary School Clarksburg, MD | 9.4 |
| Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 9.3 |
| Calvert Elementary Prince Frederick, MD | 9.3 |
| Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary Union Bridge, MD | 9.3 |
Compare Swansfield Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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 is ranked #12 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Swansfield Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swansfield Elementary has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Swansfield Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swansfield Elementary has 32.2% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6907
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #1 of 76
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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.
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