Excellent
#177 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 13% in state
Waterloo Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
5940 Waterloo Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#5 of 23
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#173 of 882
In district
#13 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Waterloo Elementary
Waterloo Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, MD, part of the Howard County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 626 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 87.1th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $117,323, where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
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Waterloo Elementary — Students at Waterloo Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
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 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Waterloo Elementary Compares
See how Waterloo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 57.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 69.6% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TARBIYAH ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rockburn Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.5 |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Mayfield Woods Middle Elkridge | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| AAMI BIBLE INSTITUTE Elkridge | 1.5 mi | — |
| Howard High Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Deep Run Elementary Elkridge | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Rockburn Elementary Elkridge | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | — |
| Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Bonnie Branch Middle Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 2.6 mi | 9.0 |
| TARBIYAH ACADEMY Elkridge | 2.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
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 Waterloo 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 |
|---|---|
| Arbutus Elementary Baltimore, MD | 8.3 |
| Benjamin D. Foulois Academy Morningside, MD | 8.3 |
| Calvert Elementary Rising Sun, MD | 8.3 |
| Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet Baltimore, MD | 8.3 |
| Curtis Bay Elementary Baltimore, MD | 8.3 |
| East Silver Spring Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #177 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Waterloo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterloo Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Waterloo Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterloo Elementary has 45.6% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-5014
- 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
- #13 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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