Excellent
#8 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 1% in state
West Friendship Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools
12500 Frederick Road, West Friendship, MD 21794
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
370
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#8 of 1,363
In district
#2 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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West Friendship Elementary
Elementary School in West Friendship · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mount View Middle
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Marriotts Ridge High
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Friendship Elementary
West Friendship Elementary is a public elementary school in West Friendship, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. West Friendship Elementary serves approximately 370 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. West Friendship Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #8 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for West Friendship Elementary show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about West Friendship Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 9.6 · Excellent
- District avg 8.0
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
West Friendship Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Friendship Elementary — Students at West Friendship Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.8%
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
→ 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: 9.5/10.
How West Friendship Elementary Compares
See how West Friendship 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
12500 Frederick Road, West Friendship, MD 21794
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Friendship Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Triadelphia Ridge Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bushy Park Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Glenwood), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Waverly Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Friendship, see our West Friendship schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mount View Middle Marriottsville | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Marriotts Ridge High Marriottsville | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Manor Woods Elementary Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 9.3 |
| CHAPELGATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Marriottsville | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Triadelphia Ridge Elementary Ellicott City | 3.0 mi | 9.6 |
| GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL Ellicott City | 3.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Folly Quarter Middle Ellicott City | 3.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Glenelg High Glenelg | 3.5 mi | 8.5 |
| IMMANUEL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sykesville | 4.5 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sykesville | 4.5 mi | — |
| Dayton Oaks Elementary Dayton | 4.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Sykesville Middle Sykesville | 5.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bushy Park Elementary Glenwood | 4.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Waverly Elementary Ellicott City | 4.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Glenwood Middle Glenwood | 4.2 mi | 9.1 |
| GLENWOOD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Woodbine | 4.5 mi | — |
| GLENWOOD ACADEMY Glenwood | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Clarksville Elementary Clarksville | 5.8 mi | 9.4 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 5.3 mi | 5.2 |
| River Hill High Clarksville | 6.0 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21794 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$223,833
Median Home Value
$977,200
Population
2,326
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
99.6%
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
42.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda, MD | 9.6 |
| Carroll Manor Elementary Baldwin, MD | 9.5 |
| Cold Spring Elementary Potomac, MD | 9.7 |
| Fort Garrison Elementary Baltimore, MD | 9.5 |
| Jones Lane Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 9.5 |
| Riderwood Elementary Towson, MD | 9.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Friendship Elementary
What grades does West Friendship Elementary serve?
West Friendship Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend West Friendship Elementary?
West Friendship Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 370 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Friendship Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Friendship Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Friendship Elementary rank in MD?
West Friendship Elementary ranks #8 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is West Friendship Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Friendship Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 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 West Friendship Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Friendship Elementary has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is West Friendship Elementary a charter school?
No, West Friendship Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Friendship Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Friendship Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Friendship Elementary?
7.8% of students at West Friendship 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 7.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-5512
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #2 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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