Excellent
#65 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 5% in state
Waterloo Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
5940 Waterloo Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#65 of 1,363
In Columbia
#1 of 23
public schools
In district
#18 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Waterloo Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
The Goddard School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bellows Spring Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waterloo Elementary
Waterloo Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Waterloo Elementary serves approximately 626 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Waterloo Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #65 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Waterloo Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.1 · Excellent
- District avg 8.0
- MD avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waterloo Elementary — Students at Waterloo Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
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: 8.8/10.
How Waterloo Elementary Compares
See how Waterloo 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
5940 Waterloo Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterloo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Worthington Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rockburn Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ilchester Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| AAMI BIBLE INSTITUTE Elkridge | 1.5 mi | — |
| Howard High Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Deep Run Elementary Elkridge | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Rockburn Elementary Elkridge | 1.6 mi | 9.4 |
| GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | — |
| Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Bonnie Branch Middle Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 2.6 mi | 9.8 |
| TARBIYAH ACADEMY Elkridge | 2.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL Ellicott City | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 2.9 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 9.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Bayard Rustin Elementary Rockville, MD | 9.1 |
| Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac, MD | 9.1 |
| Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda, MD | 9.1 |
| Dayton Oaks Elementary Dayton, MD | 9.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary Brookeville, MD | 9.1 |
| Rock Creek Forest Elementary Chevy Chase, MD | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterloo Elementary
What grades does Waterloo Elementary serve?
Waterloo Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waterloo Elementary?
Waterloo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 626 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterloo Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterloo 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 Waterloo Elementary rank in MD?
Waterloo Elementary ranks #65 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Waterloo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterloo Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 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 Waterloo Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waterloo Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Waterloo Elementary a charter school?
No, Waterloo Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterloo Elementary a Title I school?
No, Waterloo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterloo Elementary?
29.7% of students at Waterloo 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 626
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.1%
- Phone
- (410) 313-5014
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #18 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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