Average
#622 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 46% in state
Thunder Hill Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
9357 Mellenbrook Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#622 of 1,363
In Columbia
#16 of 23
public schools
In district
#64 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Thunder Hill Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Phelps Luck Elementary
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Talbott Springs Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thunder Hill Elementary
Thunder Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Thunder Hill Elementary serves approximately 454 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thunder Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #622 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Thunder Hill Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 8.0
- MD avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thunder Hill Elementary — Students at Thunder Hill Elementary score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Thunder Hill Elementary Compares
See how Thunder Hill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
9357 Mellenbrook Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thunder Hill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northfield Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Veterans Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Howard High Ellicott City | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | — |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 1.8 mi | — |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,323
Median Home Value
$438,500
Median Rent
$1,768/mo
Population
40,866
College Educated
57.4%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Academy Forestville, MD | 6.6 |
| Arbutus Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.6 |
| Burtonsville Elementary Burtonsville, MD | 6.6 |
| Carroll Manor Elementary Adamstown, MD | 6.6 |
| Fountain Rock Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 6.6 |
| Fruitland Intermediate Fruitland, MD | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thunder Hill Elementary
What grades does Thunder Hill Elementary serve?
Thunder Hill Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Thunder Hill Elementary?
Thunder Hill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Hill Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Hill Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thunder Hill Elementary rank in MD?
Thunder Hill Elementary ranks #622 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Thunder Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Thunder Hill Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thunder Hill Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Thunder Hill Elementary a charter school?
No, Thunder Hill Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thunder Hill Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thunder Hill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thunder Hill Elementary?
34.1% of students at Thunder Hill 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 454
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6922
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #64 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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