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Dream Academy

Public Grades PK, KG-8

847^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 865 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 2% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle is a small Pre-K through 8th grade school in Baltimore, MD, serving 272 students as part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, where about 78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school faces significant academic challenges, with only 3.9% of students proficient in math and 13.8% in English Language Arts—well below district and state averages. However, there are a few bright spots. The school spends a substantial $24,746 per student, which is high compared to the state average. It also has a relatively favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and a chronic absenteeism rate of 39.9%, which is better than the district average of 46.4% and much lower than nearby schools like Edgewood Elementary (63.6%) and Dickey Hill Elementary/Middle (57.3%). In 7th grade English Language Arts, 25% of students were proficient, a notable relative strength compared to other grades and subjects.

The most striking comparison is with North Bend Elementary/Middle, located just 0.91 miles away. Both schools serve a similar student population and have nearly identical per-pupil spending ($24,706), yet North Bend achieves proficiency rates 2-4 times higher (16.2% in math, 35.1% in ELA). This suggests that the challenges at Thomas Jefferson are not insurmountable and that different instructional strategies or school culture could make a profound difference. The school also shows a dramatic decline in performance as students move from elementary to middle school, with math proficiency dropping to 0% in 6th and 7th grade, indicating a critical need for support during this transition.

272

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,746

Per pupil spending ?

77.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

605 Dryden Drive
Baltimore, MD 21229-1418

(410) 396-0534

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

90.1%

Hispanic:

6.3%

Two or more races:

1.8%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

Compare Dream Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 7th percentile in 2016 → 2nd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (8% vs 38% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (2nd percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 5 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school8%

District avg22%

Maryland avg38%

Elementary school

847^th of 865

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 2%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 7% (2016) to bottom 2% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

325^th of 342

Maryland public middle schools ?

Bottom 5%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From bottom 12% (2016) to bottom 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

92^nd 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	7.4	847 of 865	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	13.7	781 of 865	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	13.3	760 of 859	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	6.6	841 of 855	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	10.9	819 of 862	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.0	670 of 802	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	8.1	822 of 853	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.8	733 of 857	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	15.4	728 of 847	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	10.7	783 of 845	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	16.4	744 of 859	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	18.5	751 of 867	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	22.2	713 of 847	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	10.4	789 of 857	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	33.3	629 of 853	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	26.5	708 of 855	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	59.3	392 of 850	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	37.4	600 of 838	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	86.7	47 of 818	94.3%	★★★★★
2006	83.7	90 of 804	88.8%	★★★★☆
2005	76.1	180 of 805	77.6%	★★★★☆
2004	82.9	101 of 803	87.4%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	28.3	393 of 504	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	15.5	719 of 796	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	35.0	370 of 546	32.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	19.3	634 of 788	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	12.9	325 of 342	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	19.0	286 of 337	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.8	216 of 328	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	17.6	271 of 322	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.8	292 of 333	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	9.2	289 of 303	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.7	307 of 328	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	12.7	289 of 317	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	13.6	277 of 314	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	15.3	275 of 315	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	15.2	287 of 339	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	29.4	232 of 316	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	16.1	271 of 314	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	32.7	222 of 309	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	27.2	265 of 324	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	41.3	214 of 301	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	12.9	252 of 283	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	14.6	241 of 259	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	19.1	250 of 273	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	13.4	272 of 288	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)32nd percentile+16 vs school

African American (2021)22nd percentile+6 vs school

Male (2021)20th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2021)10th percentile-7 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)8th percentile+4 vs school

African American (2021)7th percentile~ school

Male (2021)6th percentile~ school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts14%-38 vs state

Science5%-27 vs state

Mathematics4%-23 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, June 21, 2016

TJ has many firsts,including the first elenentary/middle school in Maryland to have an IB program. The teachers are qualfied, well trained and are committed to exccellence in teaching and learning. In my opinion, Principle Henry and vice Principal Holly strive to create a safe, caring, learning environment for the children entrusted to their care. Close Quote

Schools Near Dream Academy

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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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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
Dream Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	605 Dryden Drive	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0534	272	19	14.7	77.6%	4 (1.5%)	245 (90.1%)	17 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.8%)	7.4	847^th of 865 public elementary schools	2.1%		13.7	781^st of 865 public elementary schools	9.7%	66	6.9	5.7	3.2	0.0	0.0	6.1	3.9	10.0	14.7	9.7	7.1	25.0	17.6	13.8		9.7	0.0	$24,746	$5,277	$19,470
Baltimore International Academy West	Public, Charter	K-8	4300 Sidehill Road	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(410) 291-2440	239	18	13.2	74.1%	2 (0.8%)	217 (90.8%)	15 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	3 (1.3%)	11.4	805^th of 865 public elementary schools	6.9%		15.4	748^th of 865 public elementary schools	13.5%	57	20.6	5.9	5.1	0.0			7.9	14.7	29.4	15.4	26.3			20.7		2.6		$21,171	$4,208	$16,963
Wildwood Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	621 Wildwood Parkway	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0503	743	42	17.6	85.9%	6 (0.8%)	666 (89.6%)	58 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	7 (0.9%)	16.1	743^rd of 865 public elementary schools	14.1%		25.7	603^rd of 865 public elementary schools	30.3%	140	13.3	11.0	19.1	1.4	6.0	3.7	9.3	36.1	12.3	27.9	14.1	22.4	14.1	21.3		13.4	5.8	$21,396	$4,119	$17,277
North Bend Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	181 North Bend Road	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0376	482	29	16.6	77.2%	15 (3.1%)	411 (85.3%)	45 (9.3%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	25.5	624^th of 865 public elementary schools	27.9%		27.1	587^th of 865 public elementary schools	32.1%	37	44.2	21.4	8.3	0.0	6.3	14.3	16.2	39.5	41.5	25.0	31.8	47.9	25.5	35.1		6.1	16.0	$24,706	$4,754	$19,952
Beechfield Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	301 S Beechfield Avenue	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0525	510	30	17.0	87.8%	11 (2.2%)	446 (87.5%)	42 (8.2%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	7.2	850^th of 865 public elementary schools	1.7%		8	848^th of 865 public elementary schools	2.0%	2	1.6	6.3	3.7	1.9	2.0	4.2	3.5	8.2	21.3	7.5	15.1	18.4	23.4	15.2		1.8	10.6	$25,940	$4,732	$21,209
Dickey Hill Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	5025 Dickey Hill Road	Baltimore	21207	Baltimore County	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0610	218	15	15.0	82.1%	2 (0.9%)	184 (84.4%)	25 (11.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.2%)	11.3	807^th of 865 public elementary schools	6.7%		7.4	859^th of 865 public elementary schools	0.7%	52	22.7	3.0	10.0	0.0	0.0	3.7	5.8	31.8	17.6	20.0	12.5	22.2	25.0	21.3		0.0	3.5	$28,972	$6,122	$22,850
Mary E. Rodman Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3510 W Mulberry Street	Baltimore	21229	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0508	431	32	13.6	86.5%	3 (0.7%)	395 (91.6%)	20 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)	15.9	748^th of 865 public elementary schools	13.5%		12.9	792^nd of 865 public elementary schools	8.4%	44	31.9	10.7	3.9				15.2	33.3	20.3	21.5				24.8		5.2		$22,594	$4,694	$17,900
Edmondson Heights Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Langford Rd	Baltimore	21207	Baltimore County	Baltimore County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 887-0818	556	34	16.5	70.1%	28 (5.0%)	352 (63.3%)	135 (24.3%)	16 (2.9%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.0%)	20.2	679^th of 865 public elementary schools	21.5%		17.6	723^rd of 865 public elementary schools	16.4%	44	21.3	11.8	15.5				16.1	26.9	29.8	31.0				29.3		15.7		$17,065	$2,360	$14,705
KIPP Harmony Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	2000 Edgewood Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(410) 291-2583	1,399	94	14.8	81.4%	5 (0.4%)	1,352 (96.6%)	15 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (1.6%)	16	747^th of 865 public elementary schools	13.6%		18.4	709^th of 865 public elementary schools	18.0%	38	14.2	18.3	11.7	1.7	13.5	2.6	12.9	31.0	27.5	27.6	16.4	33.6	25.0	26.6	74.3	9.5	7.2	$26,234	$4,903	$21,330
Belmont Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1406 N Ellamont Street	Baltimore	21216	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0579	177	12	15.3	90.4%	0 (0.0%)	170 (96.0%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.8%)	19.4	689^th of 865 public elementary schools	20.3%		14.6	760^th of 865 public elementary schools	12.1%	71	17.4	25.0	28.0				23.7	26.1	17.9	4.0				15.8		8.3		$31,890	$7,289	$24,601

Frequently Asked Questions about Dream Academy

What is the racial makeup of Dream Academy?

Students at Dream Academy are 90% African American, 6% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 1% White.

What district is Dream Academy in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Dream Academy attend?

Students who attend Dream Academy 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

How many students attend Dream Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 272 students attended Dream Academy.

Is Dream Academy a good school?

Dream Academy ranks in the bottom 2.1% of Maryland elementary schools.

Rate Dream Academy!

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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.