Average
#537 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 39% in state
William S. James Elementary
Elementary School · Harford County Public Schools
1 Laurentum Pkw, Abingdon, MD 21009
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Abingdon
#3 of 3
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#491 of 882
In district
#29 of 55
Harford County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About William S. James Elementary
William S. James Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Abingdon, Maryland, a mid-size suburb in Harford County. The school enrolls 475 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, William S. James holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #323 out of 1,364 Maryland schools, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide. The school's academic score of 7.8 reflects solid performance overall.
In reading and language arts, 46% of students score at or above proficiency levels across grades. Mathematics shows an area for growth, with 34% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks on average. These results suggest the school is performing above state averages in reading while working to strengthen math instruction.
Located at 1 Laurentum Parkway, William S. James is a regular public elementary school that welcomes families looking for an established neighborhood school with accessible class sizes and experienced staff support.
Score Breakdown
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William S. James Elementary — Students at William S. James Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
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 William S. James Elementary Compares
See how William S. James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 51.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 54.7% (2025).
Location
1 Laurentum Pkw, Abingdon, MD 21009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William S. James Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fountain Green Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Bel Air), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emmorton Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Bel Air), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Homestead/Wakefield Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bel Air), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Abingdon, see our Abingdon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon Elementary Abingdon | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Emmorton Elementary Bel Air | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Patterson Mill High School Bel Air | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Patterson Mill Middle School Bel Air | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| EMMORTON BAPTIST ACADEMY Bel Air | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Old Post Road Elementary Abingdon | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Ring Factory Elementary Bel Air | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Bel Air | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL Bel Air | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & EARLY LRNG CTR Joppa | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Homestead/Wakefield Elementary Bel Air | 3.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Edgewood Elementary Edgewood | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Bel Air Middle Bel Air | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Church Creek Elementary Belcamp | 3.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Fountain Green Elementary Bel Air | 4.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Edgewood Middle Edgewood | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Deerfield Elementary Edgewood | 4.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Edgewood High Edgewood | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL Bel Air | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Bel Air High Bel Air | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,017
Median Home Value
$335,100
Median Rent
$1,680/mo
Population
33,444
College Educated
39.7%
Homeownership
81.3%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding William S. James Elementary has a median household income of $117,017. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,100, with a median rent of $1,680/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| City Springs Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 6.9 |
| Cold Spring Elementary Potomac, MD | 6.9 |
| Crofton Elementary Crofton, MD | 6.9 |
| District Heights Elementary District Heights, MD | 6.9 |
| Edgemere Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.9 |
| Federal Hill Preparatory Academy Baltimore, MD | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William S. James Elementary
What grades does William S. James Elementary serve?
William S. James Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend William S. James Elementary?
William S. James Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William S. James Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at William S. James Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William S. James Elementary rank in MD?
William S. James Elementary is ranked #537 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is William S. James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
William S. James Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 William S. James Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William S. James Elementary has 35.4% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William S. James Elementary a charter school?
No, William S. James Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William S. James Elementary a Title I school?
No, William S. James Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William S. James Elementary?
27.8% of students at William S. James 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 58 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 20 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 36 Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety
- Elevated (732/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 475
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Harford County
- Phone
- (410) 638-3900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harford County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 38,105
- Schools in District
- 55
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,493
- District Rank
- #29 of 55
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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