Average
#810 of 1,363 schools in MD
Thunder Hill Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
9357 Mellenbrook Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#19 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#661 of 882
In district
#56 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Thunder Hill Elementary
Thunder Hill Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Columbia, Maryland, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 454 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for its young learners. The dedicated faculty includes 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each child’s educational journey.
Thunder Hill Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks 74th percentile among Maryland schools, placing it at number 360 out of 1364. The school's academic score is 7.4 out of 10, reflecting solid progress with room for growth in areas like ELA/Reading (45% proficiency) and Math (39% proficiency). Located in a mid-size city setting within Howard County, Thunder Hill Elementary benefits from the diverse and supportive community surrounding it.
The school's commitment to fostering academic development alongside personal growth makes it a welcoming place for families seeking a nurturing educational environment.
Score Breakdown
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Thunder Hill Elementary — Students at Thunder Hill Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 8 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: 4.1/10.
How Thunder Hill Elementary Compares
See how Thunder Hill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 44.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 55.7% (2025).
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. Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phelps Luck Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 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 | 8.7 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Howard High Ellicott City | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thunder Hill Elementary has a median household income of $117,323. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,500, with a median rent of $1,768/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Abbottston Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.0 |
| Arrowhead Elementary Upper Marlboro, MD | 6.0 |
| Barclay Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 6.0 |
| Carroll Manor Elementary Adamstown, MD | 6.0 |
| Cecil Manor Elementary Elkton, MD | 6.0 |
| Centerville Elementary Frederick, MD | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #810 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Thunder Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Hill Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Thunder Hill Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunder Hill Elementary has 39.6% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6922
- 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
- #56 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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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