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West Friendship Elementary

Public Grades K-5

24^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 97% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

West Friendship Elementary is a small, high-performing K-5 school in the rural community of West Friendship, MD, serving just 367 students as part of the highly-regarded Howard County Public Schools district. This school consistently ranks in the top 3% of all elementary schools in Maryland, with a 2025-2026 ranking of 24th out of 864 schools, placing it in the 97th percentile.

West Friendship stands out for its exceptional English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, with 81.4% of all students proficient—far exceeding the district average of 65.9% and the state average of 51.7%. This is the highest ELA rate among nearby peers like Triadelphia Ridge Elementary (81.9%) and Dayton Oaks Elementary (80.2%). The school also boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.1%, compared to the district average of 17.3%, and is among the best in its peer group, with only Dayton Oaks (5.6%) lower. This contrasts sharply with schools like Longfellow Elementary (23.5%) and St. Johns Lane Elementary (13.1%). Additionally, only 8.17% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch, a key demographic factor that correlates with high test scores.

While the school excels overall, there is a notable dip in 5th-grade math proficiency (63.2%) compared to 3rd (75.9%) and 4th (74.3%) grades, which may warrant attention. West Friendship also spends $20,049 per student, the second-highest among its Howard County peers, but achieves top-tier results, unlike Longfellow Elementary, which serves a more disadvantaged population. The school’s small size likely contributes to its strong community and low absenteeism, offering a personalized learning environment that sets it apart from larger schools like Centennial Lane Elementary (749 students) or Waverly Elementary (827 students).

367

Students ?

12.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,049

Per pupil spending ?

8.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

12500 Frederick Road
West Friendship, MD 21794

(410) 313-5512

District: Howard County Public Schools

Students who attend West Friendship Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Mount View Middle
High:	Marriotts Ridge High

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.6%

Asian:

21.3%

Hispanic:

7.4%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 97th percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (75% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Maryland elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Howard County Public Schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school75%

District avg53%

Maryland avg39%

24^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 3%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^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	96.0	24 of 864	97.2%	★★★★★
2025	97.0	17 of 865	98.0%	★★★★★
2024	96.1	27 of 859	96.9%	★★★★★
2023	95.6	31 of 855	96.4%	★★★★★
2022	94.6	47 of 862	94.5%	★★★★★
2021	94.6	41 of 802	94.9%	★★★★★
2019	92.9	56 of 853	93.4%	★★★★★
2018	95.1	39 of 857	95.4%	★★★★★
2017	95.1	33 of 847	96.1%	★★★★★
2016	95.1	27 of 845	96.8%	★★★★★
2015	94.5	40 of 859	95.3%	★★★★★
2014	84.1	88 of 867	89.9%	★★★★☆
2013	83.3	78 of 847	90.8%	★★★★★
2012	76.5	164 of 857	80.9%	★★★★☆
2011	74.8	179 of 853	79.0%	★★★★☆
2010	81.7	102 of 855	88.1%	★★★★☆
2009	78.4	159 of 850	81.3%	★★★★☆
2008	85.0	54 of 838	93.6%	★★★★★
2007	6.4	770 of 818	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	4.8	772 of 804	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	6.0	761 of 805	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	5.9	757 of 803	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	70.5	37 of 128	71.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	92.0	42 of 796	94.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	93.7	39 of 788	95.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	78.1	97 of 528	81.6%	★★★★☆

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)

Male (2021)95th percentile~ school

Female (2021)95th percentile~ school

White (2021)82nd percentile-13 vs school

Asian (2021)71st percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts81%+30 vs state

Science72%+40 vs state

Mathematics71%+43 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I have two children that currently attend this school and a high schooler that attended here.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the school! They class sizes are small, the teachers are all wonderful...the administrative staff is supportive and quick to handle small situation so that they don't become large ones. They have a zero tolerance policy for bullying and such.

My kids are thriving at this school. We have been to other schools in the county and I feel strongly that there is a nice mix of kids here and a huge parental involvement which makes the school a fun place to be a part of!

I can't say enough good things about it here. My 3rd grader is shy and has no problem making friends and keeping them! I love the atmosphere and this is a nice enviornment where kids are accepted and loved on. Close Quote

Schools Near West Friendship 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
West Friendship Elementary	Public	K-5	12500 Frederick Road	West Friendship	21794	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-5512	367	28	12.9	8.2%	215 (58.6%)	24 (6.5%)	27 (7.4%)	78 (21.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (5.7%)	96	24^th of 864 public elementary schools	97.2%		97	17^th of 865 public elementary schools	98.0%	7	75.9	74.3	63.2	70.6	72.4	85.7	84.2	81.4	72.4	$20,049	$884	$19,165
Manor Woods Elementary	Public	K-5	11575 Frederick Rd	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7165	697	51	13.5	16.9%	234 (33.6%)	69 (9.9%)	29 (4.2%)	309 (44.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	52 (7.5%)	93.3	53^rd of 864 public elementary schools	93.9%		93.5	50^th of 865 public elementary schools	94.2%	3	77.4	63.4	70.9	70.1	69.8	77.5	71.5	73.1	61.2	$17,481	$692	$16,789
Triadelphia Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	13400 Triadelphia Rd	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2560	619	45	13.9	7.3%	236 (38.1%)	44 (7.1%)	26 (4.2%)	271 (43.8%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.3%)	96.6	20^th of 864 public elementary schools	97.7%		96.3	22^nd of 865 public elementary schools	97.5%	2	74.5	74.2	74.3	74.3	78.3	84.1	82.9	81.9	71.2	$18,336	$832	$17,504
Bushy Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	14601 Carrs Mill Rd	Glenwood	21738	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-5500	631	48	13.2	9.4%	419 (66.4%)	38 (6.0%)	57 (9.0%)	78 (12.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.2%)	93.7	48^th of 864 public elementary schools	94.4%		95.4	33^rd of 865 public elementary schools	96.2%	15	65.1	72.3	57.6	65.4	82.4	83.2	71.7	79.4	62.6	$19,871	$924	$18,947
Waverly Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10220 Wetherburn Rd	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2819	827	61	13.4	9.3%	213 (25.8%)	60 (7.3%)	44 (5.3%)	454 (54.9%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (6.0%)	94.6	38^th of 864 public elementary schools	95.6%		93.4	54^th of 865 public elementary schools	93.8%	16	73.7	69.8	69.9	70.9	78.9	78.9	69.9	75.7	65.0	$18,270	$887	$17,383
Dayton Oaks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4691 Ten Oaks Rd	Dayton	21036	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-1571	739	52	14.1	7.6%	343 (46.4%)	79 (10.7%)	46 (6.2%)	189 (25.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (11.1%)	95	31^st of 864 public elementary schools	96.4%		93.5	52^nd of 865 public elementary schools	94.0%	21	74.5	61.4	64.4	66.9	78.8	81.1	80.7	80.2	68.1	$19,382	$807	$18,575
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
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
St. Johns Lane Elementary	Public	K-5	2960 Saint Johns Ln	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2813	636	44	14.3	20.6%	267 (42.0%)	63 (9.9%)	47 (7.4%)	215 (33.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (6.6%)	90.3	87^th of 864 public elementary schools	89.9%		86.1	122^nd of 865 public elementary schools	85.9%	35	73.3	54.2	56.1	61.4	77.9	72.9	67.5	72.8	56.1	$17,107	$826	$16,281
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

Frequently Asked Questions about West Friendship Elementary

How many students attend West Friendship Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 367 students attended West Friendship Elementary.

What schools do graduates of West Friendship Elementary attend?

Students who attend West Friendship Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mount View Middle
High : Marriotts Ridge High

What district is West Friendship Elementary in?

Howard County Public Schools

Is West Friendship Elementary a good school?

Yes! West Friendship Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 24^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of West Friendship Elementary?

Students at West Friendship Elementary are 59% White, 21% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races.

Rate West Friendship Elementary!

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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.