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Jeffers Hill Elementary

Q: Is Jeffers Hill Elementary a good school?

Jeffers Hill Elementary ranks 364 th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

364^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 58% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Jeffers Hill Elementary in Columbia, MD, is a mid-sized school serving 406 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the highly-rated Howard County Public Schools district. The school has a consistent 3-star rating and serves a diverse student body, with 44% of students qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch (FARMs).

Jeffers Hill stands out for its exceptional support of students from low socio-economic backgrounds, ranking in the 71st percentile for this subgroup—its highest rating. This makes it a strong "value-add" school, helping students overcome economic barriers to learning. However, the school faces a significant challenge in math proficiency, which at 34% is the second-lowest among its 10 nearby elementary schools, compared to top performers like Waterloo Elementary (59.9%) and Atholton Elementary (55%). A critical warning sign is a dramatic drop in 4th-grade math proficiency, falling from 45% in 3rd grade to just 26.4%—the largest decline in the comparison group. In English Language Arts, the school performs closer to the district average at 52.3%.

Despite high per-pupil spending ($23,156) and a low student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, academic results have not matched the investment, suggesting a need to re-evaluate instructional strategies, particularly in math. On a positive note, chronic absenteeism has improved significantly, dropping from a peak of 30.8% post-pandemic to 15.1% in 2024-2025, now below the district average and lower than nearby schools like Running Brook Elementary (31.0%) and Cradlerock Elementary (27.5%). This recovery indicates a positive shift in school climate and engagement.

406

Students ?

11.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,156

Per pupil spending ?

44.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6001 Tamar Dr
Columbia, MD 21045-4049

(410) 313-6872

District: Howard County Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

39.9%

White:

21.2%

Hispanic:

20.4%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

Compare Jeffers Hill Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 51st percentile in 2016 → 58th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Maryland median (58th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg53%

Maryland avg39%

364^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 42%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to top 42% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

31^st of 42Elementary Schools in the Howard County Public Schools

4^th of 25Howard County 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	55.3	364 of 864	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.2	342 of 865	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.5	343 of 859	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.1	407 of 855	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.7	364 of 862	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.6	290 of 802	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.7	311 of 853	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.1	390 of 857	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.9	392 of 847	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	47.6	414 of 845	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	66.1	272 of 859	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	51.0	503 of 867	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	60.7	354 of 847	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	64.9	327 of 857	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	58.4	402 of 853	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	45.0	555 of 855	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	53.6	458 of 850	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	52.8	450 of 838	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	30.3	616 of 818	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	20.9	674 of 804	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	16.6	701 of 805	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	22.0	659 of 803	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	51.9	160 of 504	68.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	42.8	346 of 796	56.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	30.5	240 of 347	30.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	54.5	157 of 546	71.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	46.9	308 of 788	60.9%	★★★☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)71st percentile+7 vs school

African American (2021)68th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2021)61st percentile-3 vs school

Female (2021)57th percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2021)31st percentile-33 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts52%~ state avg

Mathematics34%+7 vs state

Science32%~ state avg

4.0

5 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★2

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 20, 2015

It's not about the student all about the staff they talk really nasty to parents so I know the kids are not lying when they say some teachers and vice principal talk smart and bully them . Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Be aware that usually, when people post ratings, they are disgruntled. Jeffers Hill Elementary deserves much more recognition for their efforts, programs, and classroom work with the students. My KINDERGARTEN son is doing 1st grade math, and reads at a 2nd...probably 3rd grade level (he can read anything you can read) and the teachers continue to challenge him rather than slow him down. That says a lot about their dedication to the student's individual growth and development. We couldn't have landed at a better place and I absolutely recommend this school to anyone who is looking. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, January 24, 2013

Jeffers Hill is a great school. The teachers are quick to respond to questions, the admin staff is open about the school procedures, and there is a large active PTA. Close Quote

Schools Near Jeffers Hill 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 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	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 All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jeffers Hill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6001 Tamar Dr	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6872	406	35	11.5	44.1%	86 (21.2%)	162 (39.9%)	83 (20.4%)	34 (8.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (9.6%)	55.3	364^th of 864 public elementary schools	57.9%		59.2	342^nd of 865 public elementary schools	60.5%	22	45.0	26.4	32.3	34.0	63.3	50.0	44.6	52.3	32.3	$23,156	$997	$22,159
Stevens Forest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6045 Stevens Forest Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6900	314	33	9.5	59.2%	58 (18.5%)	124 (39.5%)	79 (25.2%)	22 (7.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (9.6%)	67.7	270^th of 864 public elementary schools	68.8%		64.4	297^th of 865 public elementary schools	65.7%	27	46.3	39.2	38.2	40.8	56.1	53.1	56.4	55.2	46.3	$26,356	$1,845	$24,511
Talbott Springs Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9550 Basket Ring Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6915	461	46	10.0	45.3%	105 (22.8%)	147 (31.9%)	135 (29.3%)	23 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	49 (10.6%)	62.4	299^th of 864 public elementary schools	65.4%		51.3	395^th of 865 public elementary schools	54.3%	96	58.1	28.8	37.1	41.5	54.8	45.8	56.5	52.5	37.1	$24,018	$1,692	$22,326
Phelps Luck Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5370 Oldstone Ct	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6886	681	58	11.6	46.5%	189 (27.8%)	164 (24.1%)	224 (32.9%)	54 (7.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.2%)	64.1	288^th of 864 public elementary schools	66.7%		56.7	358^th of 865 public elementary schools	58.6%	70	44.5	40.0	38.9	41.4	54.7	50.9	53.7	53.1	42.7	$21,395	$1,428	$19,967
Cradlerock Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6700 Cradlerock Way	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 319-7601	453	44	10.3	55.6%	81 (17.9%)	218 (48.1%)	95 (21.0%)	17 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (9.1%)	36.2	511^th of 864 public elementary schools	40.9%		34.8	516^th of 865 public elementary schools	40.3%	5	27.3	17.1	20.3	21.5	35.5	45.1	49.3	43.3	25.7	$23,814	$1,624	$22,190
Waterloo Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5940 Waterloo Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-5014	666	52	12.8	32.1%	215 (32.3%)	201 (30.2%)	94 (14.1%)	96 (14.4%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	56 (8.4%)	88.3	107^th of 864 public elementary schools	87.6%		86.6	115^th of 865 public elementary schools	86.7%	8	66.7	53.4	58.8	59.9	74.5	68.6	68.7	70.7	51.0	$20,202	$1,076	$19,126
Thunder Hill Elementary	Public	K-5	9357 Mellenbrook Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6922	459	39	11.6	37.7%	106 (23.1%)	144 (31.4%)	97 (21.1%)	73 (15.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (8.1%)	62.6	297^th of 864 public elementary schools	65.6%		65	292^nd of 865 public elementary schools	66.2%	5	48.7	36.0	40.7	41.6	55.1	52.3	45.7	51.0	40.0	$21,048	$1,067	$19,982
Bellows Spring Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8125 Old Stockbridge Dr	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-5057	806	64	12.5	26.3%	146 (18.1%)	256 (31.8%)	79 (9.8%)	274 (34.0%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (5.6%)	75.9	218^th of 864 public elementary schools	74.8%		80.3	177^th of 865 public elementary schools	79.5%	41	57.3	57.9	46.7	54.2	57.7	68.6	49.5	59.1	38.7	$19,642	$925	$18,717
Running Brook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5215 W Running Brook Rd	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6893	407	43	9.5	52.8%	67 (16.5%)	209 (51.4%)	60 (14.7%)	38 (9.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	30 (7.4%)	33.6	539^th of 864 public elementary schools	37.6%		32.7	537^th of 865 public elementary schools	37.9%	2	36.0	11.8	22.2	22.1	46.0	39.7	35.2	40.1	21.8	$26,760	$1,840	$24,921
Atholton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6700 Seneca Dr	Columbia	21046	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6853	516	35	14.7	15.9%	256 (49.6%)	109 (21.1%)	64 (12.4%)	34 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	52 (10.1%)	85.6	129^th of 864 public elementary schools	85.1%		81.1	169^th of 865 public elementary schools	80.5%	40	70.6	50.0	48.2	55.0	79.4	63.9	63.4	68.0	56.6	$17,575	$823	$16,752

Frequently Asked Questions about Jeffers Hill Elementary

How many students attend Jeffers Hill Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 406 students attended Jeffers Hill Elementary.

What district is Jeffers Hill Elementary in?

Howard County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Jeffers Hill Elementary?

Students at Jeffers Hill Elementary are 40% African American, 21% White, 20% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 8% Asian.

Is Jeffers Hill Elementary a good school?

Jeffers Hill Elementary ranks 364^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Jeffers Hill Elementary!

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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.