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Thunder Hill Elementary

Q: Is Thunder Hill Elementary a good school?

Thunder Hill Elementary ranks 292 nd of 865 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

292^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 865 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 66% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Thunder Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, Maryland, serving 454 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. It is part of the Howard County Public Schools district, which is ranked 4 out of 25 in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Overall, Thunder Hill Elementary is a solid, middle-performing school within the district. Its student performance on state assessments is generally on par with or slightly below the district and state averages in both mathematics and English language arts. However, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with stronger results for Hispanic students and weaker results for Asian students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The school also experiences relatively high chronic absenteeism rates, which may be contributing to its academic outcomes.

Interestingly, some nearby schools, such as Northfield Elementary and Worthington Elementary, significantly outperform Thunder Hill Elementary and the district/state averages across multiple metrics. This suggests that factors beyond just funding, such as socioeconomic influences, may play a significant role in the academic outcomes of students in the area.

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: Rebounding — 55th percentile in 2022 → 66th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (45% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 66th (2025) from a 55th-percentile low (2022)

✓Above the Maryland median (66th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school45%

District avg52%

Maryland avg38%

292^nd of 865

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 34%▼ down 14 pts since 2015

From top 20% (2015) to top 34% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

26^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
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 (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts54%+3 vs state

Mathematics43%+17 vs state

Science27%~ state avg

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

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MCAP Mathematics (2025)				MCAP English Language Arts (2025)				MCAP Science (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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%)	65	292^nd of 865 public elementary schools	66.2%		58.2	317^th of 859 public elementary schools	63.1%	25	44.3	47.3	38.6	43.2	55.7	55.4	51.1	53.9	27.3	$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%)	56.7	358^th of 865 public elementary schools	58.6%		48.4	390^th of 859 public elementary schools	54.6%	32	49.6	40.0	28.0	39.7	54.8	50.5	41.8	49.4	22.4	$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%)	51.3	395^th of 865 public elementary schools	54.3%		51.6	364^th of 859 public elementary schools	57.6%	31	43.8	31.3	25.8	33.5	52.3	54.4	41.3	49.5	19.7	$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%)	32.7	537^th of 865 public elementary schools	37.9%		35.3	489^th of 859 public elementary schools	43.1%	48	34.4	20.7	23.5	26.6	36.5	40.4	28.0	35.3	14.0	$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%)	59.2	342^nd of 865 public elementary schools	60.5%		53.5	343^rd of 859 public elementary schools	60.1%	1	34.7	37.9	34.7	35.7	50.0	43.3	57.4	50.2	38.8	$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%)	64.4	297^th of 865 public elementary schools	65.7%		67.3	257^th of 859 public elementary schools	70.1%	40	46.9	40.0	31.9	39.7	51.0	64.6	51.1	55.6	31.3	$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%)	42.9	466^th of 865 public elementary schools	46.1%		44.3	426^th of 859 public elementary schools	50.4%	40	39.7	27.4	18.6	28.4	46.6	32.9	50.9	42.6	22.4	$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%)	91.3	79^th of 865 public elementary schools	90.9%		93.9	48^th of 859 public elementary schools	94.4%	31	62.1	70.7	60.3	64.4	69.9	78.0	73.5	73.9	47.4	$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%)	81.8	162^nd of 865 public elementary schools	81.3%		83	143^rd of 859 public elementary schools	83.4%	19	57.7	56.6	51.4	55.1	63.1	66.9	54.6	61.3	44.0	$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%)	97.4	11^th of 865 public elementary schools	98.7%		97.7	10^th of 859 public elementary schools	98.8%	1	81.6	72.1	75.0	75.7	85.7	86.8	82.9	85.0	56.9	$23,142	$885	$22,257

Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder Hill Elementary

Is Thunder Hill Elementary a good school?

Thunder Hill Elementary ranks 292^nd of 865 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Thunder Hill Elementary?

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

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.

What district is Thunder Hill Elementary in?

Howard County Public Schools

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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.