Excellent
#8 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 1% in state
West Friendship Elementary
Elementary School · Howard County Public Schools · West Friendship, MD
A Howard County Public Schools elementary school where students score 12 points above what's typical for similar communities.
12500 Frederick Road, West Friendship, MD 21794
- Math 74% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 85% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at West Friendship Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 30 points since 2020, reaching 80% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 75% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 80% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
7.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where West Friendship Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 15Car-Dependent
- Bike 20Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$223,833
Median home value
$977,200
College educated
58%
Homeownership
99.6%
Poverty rate
2.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 21794; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manor Woods ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 9.3 | K–5 | 1.9 mi | 675 | Compare → |
| Chapelgate Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 8.2private | PK–12 | 2.2 mi | 324 | Compare → |
| Triadelphia Ridge ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 9.6 | PK–5 | 3.0 mi | 625 | Compare → |
| Glenelg Country SchoolPrivate · tuition | 8.1private | PK–12 | 3.4 mi | 703 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Howard County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 78
- Rank in district
- #2 of 76
- District spending per student
- $19,256NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Friendship Elementary is listed in Howard County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Friendship Elementary
West Friendship Elementary is a public elementary school in West Friendship, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools, serving approximately 370 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #8 of 1,363 schools in MD. State assessment records 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)
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 370
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.8%
- Phone
- (410) 313-5512
- Area population (ZIP 21794)
- 2,326
- Area median age
- 42.2
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 21794; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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