West Friendship Elementary

West Friendship Elementary serves 370 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in West Friendship, Maryland. It operates as a regular public school with a 13.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio — a class load that gives teachers meaningful room to work with individual students. The school earns a composite score of 9.2/10 and carries an "Exceptional" rating, driven by a 9.8 academic score and a 9.5 growth score.

Those numbers place it in rare company: West Friendship ranks #2 out of 76 schools in Howard County Public Schools, and sits at #28 among 1,363 public schools across Maryland — putting it in the top 2% statewide. Academic performance and student growth tell a consistent story here. A 9.8 academic score signals students are testing well above grade-level benchmarks.

The 9.5 growth score indicates those results aren't just a product of advantaged starting points — students are making measurable gains year over year. For parents weighing elementary options in Howard County, West Friendship sits at the top of an already strong district. It outperforms 98% of Maryland public schools, making it one of the most effective elementary programs in the state.

Located in a rural area, West Friendship Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.