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Longfellow Elementary

Q: Is Longfellow Elementary a good school?

Longfellow Elementary ranks 489 th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

489^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 43% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Longfellow Elementary in Columbia, MD, is a public school serving 446 students in grades PK-5 within the highly-rated Howard County Public Schools district, though it faces distinct challenges compared to many nearby schools. The school's academic performance lags significantly behind the district average, with math proficiency at 27.9% (14.2 points below the district) and English Language Arts at 40.6% (25.3 points below). This contrasts sharply with schools just a few miles away, such as Clarksville Elementary (71.3% math proficiency) and Centennial Lane Elementary (68.2% math proficiency), which consistently rank in the top tier statewide.

A critical factor driving these outcomes is chronic absenteeism, which has remained above 20% for four consecutive years, reaching 23.5% in 2024-2025—the second-highest rate among nearby schools and more than double that of high-performing peers like Clemens Crossing Elementary (11.7%). Over 43% of Longfellow's students qualify for free and reduced lunch, placing it in a cluster of schools with higher poverty rates, including Bryant Woods Elementary and Running Brook Elementary, which share similar struggles. Despite receiving substantial per-student funding of $23,238—higher than many top-performing schools—these resources have not yet translated into commensurate academic gains.

There are some positive signs, however. In 2020-2021, Longfellow ranked in the 64th percentile for African American students and the 63rd percentile for White students, suggesting targeted supports may have been effective for these groups. Yet, the school's overall state ranking has declined to the 43rd percentile, its lowest point in a decade. For parents, this data highlights a school with dedicated resources and a caring community, but one where addressing chronic absenteeism and closing achievement gaps remain urgent priorities to improve student outcomes.

446

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,238

Per pupil spending ?

43.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5470 Hesperus Dr
Columbia, MD 21044-1801

(410) 313-6879

District: Howard County Public Schools

Students who attend Longfellow Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Harpers Choice Middle
High:	Wilde Lake High

Racial breakdown:

African American:

35.9%

Hispanic:

25.1%

White:

22.0%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

Compare Longfellow Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 51st percentile in 2016 → 43rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (33% vs 39% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 8 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg53%

Maryland avg39%

489^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

38^th 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	39.0	489 of 864	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.3	471 of 865	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.9	363 of 859	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	40.4	456 of 855	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	52.1	385 of 862	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.4	318 of 802	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.8	339 of 853	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.7	341 of 857	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	52.1	375 of 847	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	47.4	417 of 845	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	58.7	327 of 859	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	48.0	532 of 867	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	49.2	469 of 847	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.1	406 of 857	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.3	441 of 853	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	66.1	324 of 855	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	58.0	410 of 850	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	60.4	377 of 838	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2007	32.7	598 of 818	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	30.7	605 of 804	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	17.5	697 of 805	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	16.9	700 of 803	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	49.2	180 of 504	64.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	44.8	324 of 796	59.3%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	34.2	212 of 347	38.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	45.1	322 of 788	59.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	57.1	194 of 528	63.3%	★★★☆☆

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)

African American (2021)64th percentile+4 vs school

White (2021)63rd percentile+3 vs school

Female (2021)59th percentile~ school

Male (2021)59th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2021)39th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts41%-11 vs state

Mathematics28%~ state avg

Science26%-6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Longfellow 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
Longfellow Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5470 Hesperus Dr	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6879	446	39	11.4	43.3%	98 (22.0%)	160 (35.9%)	112 (25.1%)	26 (5.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	48 (10.8%)	39	489^th of 864 public elementary schools	43.4%		42.3	471^st of 865 public elementary schools	45.5%	18	35.8	25.9	22.5	27.9	47.8	36.7	38.0	40.6	26.4	$23,238	$1,715	$21,523
Swansfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5610 Cedar Ln	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6907	594	52	11.4	38.2%	167 (28.1%)	233 (39.2%)	75 (12.6%)	67 (11.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	51 (8.6%)	57.9	342^nd of 864 public elementary schools	60.4%		65.8	285^th of 865 public elementary schools	67.1%	57	41.8	40.4	37.2	39.8	46.8	52.6	44.8	48.6	34.9	$20,540	$1,637	$18,903
Bryant Woods Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5450 Blue Heron Ln	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 313-6859	366	36	10.2	51.1%	78 (21.3%)	180 (49.2%)	53 (14.5%)	28 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.4%)	43.5	453^rd of 864 public elementary schools	47.6%		42.9	466^th of 865 public elementary schools	46.1%	13	35.1	32.8	22.7	29.9	44.6	52.4	34.8	43.8	26.2	$25,646	$1,697	$23,949
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
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
Clemens Crossing Elementary	Public	K-5	10320 Quarterstaff Rd	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6866	481	34	14.0	23.7%	199 (41.4%)	118 (24.5%)	57 (11.9%)	50 (10.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	54 (11.2%)	87	121^st of 864 public elementary schools	86.0%		80.1	180^th of 865 public elementary schools	79.2%	59	65.9	58.6	48.8	57.9	72.5	67.1	63.5	67.9	56.5	$19,838	$838	$19,000
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
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
Clarksville Elementary	Public	K-5	12041 Clarksville Pike	Clarksville	21029	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7050	543	40	13.6	17.7%	161 (29.7%)	96 (17.7%)	49 (9.0%)	202 (37.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (6.3%)	92.2	64^th of 864 public elementary schools	92.6%		93.6	48^th of 865 public elementary schools	94.5%	16	67.0	74.2	73.0	71.3	67.6	72.9	75.3	71.8	62.9	$18,787	$1,316	$17,471
Centennial Lane Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3825 Centennial Ln	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2800	749	53	14.0	16.4%	238 (31.8%)	65 (8.7%)	45 (6.0%)	330 (44.1%)	7 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	63 (8.4%)	94.2	41^st of 864 public elementary schools	95.3%		90	89^th of 865 public elementary schools	89.7%	48	68.9	71.7	64.5	68.2	75.4	82.5	77.5	78.5	58.7	$16,557	$748	$15,809

Frequently Asked Questions about Longfellow Elementary

Is Longfellow Elementary a good school?

Longfellow Elementary ranks 489^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Longfellow Elementary?

Students at Longfellow Elementary are 36% African American, 25% Hispanic, 22% White, 11% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

How many students attend Longfellow Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 446 students attended Longfellow Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Longfellow Elementary attend?

Students who attend Longfellow Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harpers Choice Middle
High : Wilde Lake High

What district is Longfellow Elementary in?

Howard County Public Schools

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresNewJul 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.