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Thunder Hill Elementary

Q: Is Thunder Hill Elementary a good school?

Thunder Hill Elementary ranks 297 th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

297^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 66% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Thunder Hill Elementary is a K-5 school in Columbia, MD, serving 459 students within the highly-rated Howard County Public Schools district, where it sits as a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer in a competitive area of high-achieving schools.

Thunder Hill’s most notable challenge is a significant and persistent gap in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency. While its math scores (41.6%) are nearly identical to the district average (42.1%), its ELA proficiency (51%) is nearly 15 percentage points below the district average (65.9%). This gap has been consistent for at least four years and is not seen in nearby schools like Northfield Elementary (91st percentile) or Worthington Elementary (99th percentile). The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 19.6%, the second-highest among its immediate neighbors and above the district average of 17.4%, which is strongly linked to lower academic performance. On a positive note, Thunder Hill is exceptionally effective for its Hispanic students, who rank in the 91st percentile statewide—a 5-star rating that suggests successful programs or support systems that could be a model for improving outcomes for other groups.

Thunder Hill spends a significant $21,048 per student, higher than top performers like Northfield ($16,662) but less than lower-performing schools like Stevens Forest Elementary ($26,356). This spending paradox highlights that the key differentiator in performance is the percentage of students from low-income households, with Thunder Hill’s 37.69% free/reduced lunch rate placing it in the middle of the local range. The school has seen a clear downward trajectory from a peak of the 81st percentile in 2018 to its current 66th percentile, coinciding with rising chronic absenteeism and a slight increase in low-income students. While it has stabilized in recent years, it has not yet recovered to its former 4-star status, making it a school to watch for parents seeking a balanced academic environment.

459

Students ?

11.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,048

Per pupil spending ?

37.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

9357 Mellenbrook Rd
Columbia, MD 21045-1838

(410) 313-6922

District: Howard County Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

31.4%

White:

23.1%

Hispanic:

21.1%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 80th percentile in 2016 → 66th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (45% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Above the Maryland median (66th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 14 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg53%

Maryland avg39%

297^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 34%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From top 20% (2016) to top 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

27^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	62.6	297 of 864	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.0	292 of 865	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.2	317 of 859	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.7	308 of 855	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.1	384 of 862	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.4	246 of 802	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	77.0	202 of 853	76.3%	★★★★☆
2018	81.4	159 of 857	81.4%	★★★★☆
2017	80.3	172 of 847	79.7%	★★★★☆
2016	80.7	168 of 845	80.1%	★★★★☆
2015	79.8	170 of 859	80.2%	★★★★☆
2014	71.6	264 of 867	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	83.4	76 of 847	91.0%	★★★★★
2012	79.6	122 of 857	85.8%	★★★★☆
2011	86.7	30 of 853	96.5%	★★★★★
2010	87.4	21 of 855	97.5%	★★★★★
2009	84.1	71 of 850	91.6%	★★★★★
2008	82.8	95 of 838	88.7%	★★★★☆
2007	2.2	803 of 818	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	2.1	791 of 804	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	1.7	792 of 805	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	2.5	780 of 803	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	40.8	271 of 504	46.2%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	34.7	92 of 128	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	60.4	210 of 796	73.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	80.4	30 of 347	91.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	18.1	536 of 546	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	46.6	312 of 788	60.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	56.0	197 of 528	62.7%	★★★☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2021)91st percentile+22 vs school

Female (2021)74th percentile+4 vs school

White (2021)63rd percentile-7 vs school

Male (2021)60th percentile-9 vs school

African American (2021)46th percentile-23 vs school

Asian (2021)28th percentile-41 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)2nd percentile-67 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts51%~ state avg

Mathematics42%+14 vs state

Science40%+8 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, March 1, 2012

My daughter is in Kindergarten. I'm really pleased with the teachers. They did a wonderful job to help her go through the first couple months. Before K, my daughter only went to half-day preschool, so it was a big transition. And I didn't teach her anything academically, so when I observe that she acquires more and more knowledge, I am really happy. The curriculum is also designed well. First half year is more relaxed and now the second half I can see enhanced homework requirements, more sentences and number writing. I can feel the school engine speeds up to get my daughter ready for first grade.

The school has hosted 2 parent-teacher conferences so far. Loved the opportunities to meet with teachers in person to discuss my daughter's learning habit, progress and interest. The lead teacher provided great insight on reading and math. Art, music and PE teachers are all very helpful. Obviously all teachers I met love working with kids. It is great comfort to know my daughter is in their hands everyday.

The school also has a great playground that my daughter visit since she's 1, so she didn't feel it was a scary place first day.

Overall great experience. Can't wait to see what my daughter can achieve in next school year. Close Quote

Schools Near Thunder 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Northfield Elementary	Public	K-5	9125 Northfield Rd	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2806	764	49	15.6	17.5%	322 (42.1%)	71 (9.3%)	74 (9.7%)	221 (28.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	75 (9.8%)	91	81^st of 864 public elementary schools	90.6%		91.3	79^th of 865 public elementary schools	90.9%	2	64.5	55.2	54.7	58.3	76.9	78.4	75.7	77.0	59.3	$16,662	$682	$15,980
Veterans Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4355 Montgomery Road	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-1700	883	68	13.0	27.5%	193 (21.9%)	166 (18.8%)	82 (9.3%)	367 (41.6%)	7 (0.8%)	3 (0.3%)	65 (7.4%)	76.8	209^th of 864 public elementary schools	75.8%		81.8	162^nd of 865 public elementary schools	81.3%	47	58.8	44.5	45.5	49.2	64.1	52.6	60.6	58.9	53.0	$17,839	$979	$16,861
Worthington Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4570 Roundhill Rd	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2825	403	34	11.7	11.7%	153 (38.0%)	51 (12.7%)	26 (6.5%)	142 (35.2%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.9%)	97.1	17^th of 864 public elementary schools	98.0%		97.4	11^th of 865 public elementary schools	98.7%	6	82.3	77.4	64.7	74.3	88.5	88.7	79.4	85.2	64.7	$23,142	$885	$22,257

Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder Hill Elementary

Is Thunder Hill Elementary a good school?

Thunder Hill Elementary ranks 297^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Thunder Hill Elementary?

Students at Thunder Hill Elementary are 31% African American, 23% White, 21% Hispanic, 16% Asian, 8% Two or more races.

How many students attend Thunder Hill Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 459 students attended Thunder Hill Elementary.

What district is Thunder Hill 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.