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Cecil Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

842^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 865 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 3% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Cecil Elementary is a PK-5 school in Baltimore, MD, serving 348 students within the Baltimore City Public Schools district, where over 85% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Cecil Elementary faces significant academic challenges, with only 7.9% of students proficient in Math and 14.9% in English Language Arts—far below state averages of 27.1% and 51.7%, respectively. This places the school in the bottom 3% of all elementary schools in Maryland, a decline from the 33rd percentile a decade ago. However, the school has shown a remarkable improvement in chronic absenteeism, dropping from 62.0% in 2021-2022 to 30.4% in 2024-2025, which is now lower than the district average of 46.4%. Nearby schools like Harford Heights Elementary (29.7% ELA proficiency) and Barclay Elementary/Middle (37.1% ELA proficiency) outperform Cecil in literacy, while Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School achieves higher proficiency rates with lower per-pupil spending ($20,781 vs. Cecil's $25,070).

A key paradox is that despite high per-pupil spending, Cecil's student-teacher ratio of 15.8 is higher than many neighbors, such as Harford Heights (12.7) and Barclay (13.5), suggesting funds may not be directed toward reducing class sizes. The school's math crisis is particularly acute, with 5th-grade proficiency at just 5.3%, indicating cumulative learning deficits. While the drop in absenteeism is a bright spot, it has not yet translated into improved test scores. The next few years will be critical to see if this behavioral change can reverse the long-term academic decline.

348

Students ?

15.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$25,070

Per pupil spending ?

85.1%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2000 Cecil Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21218

(410) 396-6385

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

94.3%

Hispanic:

2.9%

Two or more races:

2.0%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 22nd percentile in 2015 → 3rd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (11% vs 39% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (3rd percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school11%

District avg23%

Maryland avg39%

842^nd of 865

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 3%▼ down 30 pts since 2016

From bottom 33% (2016) to bottom 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

89^th of 103Elementary Schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools

24^th of 24Baltimore City Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	8.1	842 of 865	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.4	857 of 865	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.3	853 of 859	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.4	834 of 855	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.4	832 of 862	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	13.9	747 of 853	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.3	740 of 857	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	18.7	681 of 847	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	30.8	567 of 845	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	21.7	672 of 859	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	34.3	640 of 867	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	58.5	377 of 847	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	72.6	219 of 857	74.4%	★★★★☆
2011	56.2	424 of 853	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	77.3	164 of 855	80.8%	★★★★☆
2009	85.5	50 of 850	94.1%	★★★★★
2008	82.0	105 of 838	87.5%	★★★★☆
2007	56.2	405 of 818	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	72.2	227 of 804	71.8%	★★★★☆
2005	67.1	282 of 805	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2004	73.6	218 of 803	72.9%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts15%-37 vs state

Mathematics8%-19 vs state

Science5%-27 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Thursday, November 1, 2018

I visited Cecil and was pleasantly surprised at the orderliness of the place, the cleanliness, and the commitment of staff. Close Quote

Schools Near Cecil Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)							MCAP English Language Arts (2026)							MCAP Algebra I (2026)	MCAP Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Science 5th Grade	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cecil Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2000 Cecil Avenue	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-6385	348	22	15.8	85.1%	3 (0.9%)	328 (94.3%)	10 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.0%)	8.1	842^nd of 865 public elementary schools	2.7%		7.4	857^th of 865 public elementary schools	0.9%	15	9.4	8.2	5.3				7.9	16.7	14.3	13.2				14.9		5.3		$25,070	$4,804	$20,265
Dallas F. Nicholas Senior Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	201 E 21st Street	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-4525	189	15	13.0	81.5%	2 (1.1%)	142 (75.1%)	35 (18.5%)	2 (1.1%)	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.6%)	2 (1.1%)	11.3	808^th of 865 public elementary schools	6.6%		7.4	856^th of 865 public elementary schools	1.0%	48	16.7	4.0	14.3				11.1	25.0	12.0	21.4				19.0		7.1		$33,806	$6,232	$27,574
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1600 Guilford Avenue	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(410) 528-5393	604	31	19.4	53.6%	123 (20.4%)	398 (65.9%)	36 (6.0%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (6.8%)	32.1	558^th of 865 public elementary schools	35.5%		27.5	579^th of 865 public elementary schools	33.1%	21	34.7	17.3	16.3	4.6	17.1	0.0	18.8	55.1	34.6	30.6	34.9	45.7	39.5	39.8	61.5	24.5	23.7	$20,781	$4,967	$15,815
Dr. Bernard Harris Senior Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 N Caroline Street	Baltimore	21213	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-1452	300	21	14.6	93.7%	0 (0.0%)	286 (95.3%)	7 (2.3%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	3.8	864^th of 865 public elementary schools	0.1%		4.9	865^th of 865 public elementary schools	0.0%	1	0.0	0.0	0.0				0.0	9.3	2.2	0.0				4.1		0.0		$25,987	$6,018	$19,969
Harford Heights Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1919 N Broadway Street	Baltimore	21213	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-9341	435	34	12.7	87.4%	5 (1.1%)	393 (90.3%)	30 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.6%)	19.3	692^nd of 865 public elementary schools	20.0%		21.8	669^th of 865 public elementary schools	22.7%	23	31.3	14.3	3.8				17.1	39.7	27.1	21.2				29.7		1.9		$27,664	$5,785	$21,879
Johnston Square Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1101 Valley Street	Baltimore	21202	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-1477	271	17	16.4	94.5%	0 (0.0%)	261 (96.3%)	9 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	4.4	863^rd of 865 public elementary schools	0.2%		5	864^th of 865 public elementary schools	0.1%	1	5.6	0.0	0.0				1.7	2.8	8.8	2.0				4.2		0.0		$25,290	$5,509	$19,780
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	100 E 26th Street	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-6509	235	18	13.4	60.0%	35 (14.9%)	102 (43.4%)	82 (34.9%)	5 (2.1%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.7%)	6 (2.6%)	25.3	627^th of 865 public elementary schools	27.5%		19.4	693^rd of 865 public elementary schools	19.9%	66	26.9	32.0	20.8	6.7	8.3	26.7	19.7	34.6	28.0	25.0	29.0	33.3	42.1	31.5		14.3	5.6	$24,395	$4,780	$19,615
Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary/Middle	Public	K-8	1919 N Broadway Street	Baltimore	21213	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-4325	23	9	2.5	82.6%	0 (0.0%)	21 (91.3%)	2 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)							0.0							11.8
Barclay Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	2900 Barclay Street	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-6387	373	28	13.5	82.3%	13 (3.5%)	263 (70.5%)	86 (23.1%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.6%)	22.7	652^nd of 865 public elementary schools	24.6%		18.7	705^th of 865 public elementary schools	18.5%	53	11.1	13.9	7.3	5.4	2.4	10.4	8.3	41.7	13.9	34.1	50.0	34.9	45.8	37.1		12.2	16.7	$25,600	$5,214	$20,386
Abbottston Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 Gorsuch Avenue	Baltimore	21218	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(443) 984-2685	330	25	13.4	81.8%	9 (2.7%)	266 (80.6%)	47 (14.2%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	13.4	777^th of 865 public elementary schools	10.2%		11.7	812^th of 865 public elementary schools	6.1%	35	15.4	7.3	15.3				13.2	26.9	7.3	22.4				19.9		6.8		$26,177	$5,389	$20,788

Frequently Asked Questions about Cecil Elementary

How many students attend Cecil Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 348 students attended Cecil Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Cecil Elementary?

Students at Cecil Elementary are 94% African American, 3% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Cecil Elementary in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

Is Cecil Elementary a good school?

Cecil Elementary ranks in the bottom 2.7% of Maryland elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Cecil Elementary attend?

Students who attend Cecil Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Booker T. Washington Middle
Middle : Stadium School
Middle : The Crossroads School
Middle : Vanguard Collegiate Middle
High : Academy for College and Career Exploration
High : Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts
High : Baltimore City College
High : Baltimore Design School
High : Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women
High : Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
High : Baltimore School for the Arts
High : Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove
High : Carver Vocational-Technical High
High : City Neighbors High
High : ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School
High : Coppin Academy
High : Digital Harbor High School
High : Edmondson-Westside High
High : Forest Park High
High : Frederick Douglass High
High : Green Street Academy
High : Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High
High : National Academy Foundation
High : Patterson High
High : Paul Laurence Dunbar High
High : Reginald F. Lewis High
High : Renaissance Academy
High : The Reach! Partnership School
High : Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy
High : Western High

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.