Summary:
Shady Side, Maryland, is home to a single public school, Shady Side Elementary School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade with an enrollment of 391 students as part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.
Shady Side Elementary stands out for its strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics, where 38.6% of students are proficient—significantly higher than the district (29.3%) and state (27.1%) averages. The school also excels in English Language Arts, with 56.8% proficiency, surpassing both the district (55.9%) and state (51.7%). Its state ranking has improved, moving from the 62nd percentile in 2024-2025 to the 66th percentile in 2025-2026. The school invests heavily in its students, spending $19,097 per pupil, which is notably high. However, this spending does not directly translate to a top-tier ranking, suggesting funds may support programs beyond test scores. A key concern is a grade-level decline in math: proficiency drops from 45.5% in 3rd grade to 28.4% in 5th grade, where it falls below district and state averages. Chronic absenteeism is also a challenge, affecting 19.7% of students despite a relatively low free/reduced lunch rate of 27.62%.
For parents, Shady Side Elementary offers a solid educational foundation with clear strengths in math and ELA, though the 5th-grade math dip and absenteeism are areas to watch. The school’s science performance (35.8%) is above the state average but lags behind its own district, creating an interesting contrast. Overall, this is a well-resourced school with improving state rankings, making it a strong choice for families in the area, especially those prioritizing early elementary math and literacy development.
Thank you for your feedback!