Best Public Schools in Abingdon, MD

Abingdon, Maryland is served by three public elementary schools—Old Post Road Elementary, Abingdon Elementary, and William S. James Elementary—all part of the Harford County Public Schools district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks 11th out of 25 districts in Maryland.

Among these schools, William S. James Elementary stands out as the top performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 71st percentile statewide. It leads the city in math (42.9% proficient), English Language Arts (63.0% proficient), and science (39.5% proficient), while also boasting the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 8.4%. In contrast, Old Post Road Elementary is the most challenged, with a 1-star rating and the lowest proficiency rates (20.9% in math, 32.0% in ELA). Its chronic absenteeism rate of 29.9% is nearly double the district average. Abingdon Elementary sits in the middle with a 3-star rating, performing at or near the district average in ELA but showing a notable weakness in upper elementary math, where 4th and 5th graders score below the district average.

A key takeaway is that spending and resources do not explain performance differences. Old Post Road Elementary has the highest spending per student ($17,859) and the lowest student-to-teacher ratio (12.7), yet it is the lowest-performing school. Meanwhile, William S. James Elementary has the lowest spending ($16,840) and highest ratio (15.1) but achieves the best results. This suggests that external factors like economic disadvantage and attendance are the primary drivers of performance gaps. For parents, William S. James Elementary offers the strongest academic outcomes and attendance record, while Abingdon Elementary provides a solid middle option with room for improvement in math.