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Waverly Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

38^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 96% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Waverly Elementary in Ellicott City, MD, is a high-performing public school serving 827 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade within the Howard County Public Schools district, consistently ranking in the top 5% of Maryland elementary schools for nearly a decade.

Waverly stands out for its exceptional and stable academic performance, with 70.9% of students proficient in Mathematics and 75.7% in English Language Arts (ELA) in the 2025-2026 school year—far exceeding the district average of 42.1% in Math and 65.9% in ELA, and the state average of 27.1% in Math and 51.7% in ELA. This makes it a "math powerhouse" alongside nearby top performers like West Friendship Elementary and Manor Woods Elementary, but with a particularly wide gap in math scores compared to the district. The school also boasts an extremely low chronic absenteeism rate of just 8.6%, roughly half the district average of 17.4% and dramatically lower than nearby schools like Running Brook Elementary (31.0%) and Longfellow Elementary (23.5%), indicating strong family-school connections and student engagement.

Waverly achieves these results with a relatively efficient use of funds, spending $18,270 per student—higher than Centennial Lane Elementary ($16,557) but lower than West Friendship ($20,049) and significantly less than lower-performing schools like Running Brook ($26,760). The school serves a population with a low rate of economic disadvantage (9.31% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch), which contrasts sharply with Veterans Elementary (27.52%) and Running Brook (52.83%). Notably, while Waverly is a 5-star school overall, its subgroup performance for Asian and White students, while still above average, is slightly lower than its top-tier overall ranking, suggesting opportunities for continued growth. A stark comparison with Hernwood Elementary, just 5 miles away in Baltimore County Public Schools, highlights how district-level resources and demographics influence outcomes, as Hernwood has a 31.1% chronic absenteeism rate and 16.1% math proficiency.

827

Students ?

13.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,270

Per pupil spending ?

9.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10220 Wetherburn Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042-1682

(410) 313-2819

District: Howard County Public Schools

Students who attend Waverly Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Mount View Middle
High:	Marriotts Ridge High

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

54.9%

White:

25.8%

African American:

7.3%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 97th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (72% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% 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 school72%

District avg53%

Maryland avg39%

38^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 4%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^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	94.6	38 of 864	95.6%	★★★★★
2025	93.4	54 of 865	93.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.2	26 of 859	97.0%	★★★★★
2023	96.3	25 of 855	97.1%	★★★★★
2022	95.9	28 of 862	96.8%	★★★★★
2021	98.4	10 of 802	98.8%	★★★★★
2019	96.1	27 of 853	96.8%	★★★★★
2018	97.0	15 of 857	98.2%	★★★★★
2017	96.8	18 of 847	97.9%	★★★★★
2016	95.1	28 of 845	96.7%	★★★★★
2015	93.9	46 of 859	94.6%	★★★★★
2014	86.5	47 of 867	94.6%	★★★★★
2013	84.4	54 of 847	93.6%	★★★★★
2012	79.8	120 of 857	86.0%	★★★★☆
2011	81.4	97 of 853	88.6%	★★★★☆
2010	82.7	84 of 855	90.2%	★★★★★
2009	85.3	53 of 850	93.8%	★★★★★
2008	85.3	50 of 838	94.0%	★★★★★
2007	7.7	760 of 818	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	5.7	764 of 804	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	8.0	753 of 805	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	4.2	767 of 803	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	73.2	31 of 128	75.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	97.1	15 of 796	98.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	97.7	11 of 788	98.6%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	78.6	92 of 528	82.6%	★★★★☆

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)99th percentile~ school

Female (2021)98th percentile~ school

White (2021)83rd percentile-16 vs school

Asian (2021)76th percentile-23 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts76%+24 vs state

Mathematics71%+44 vs state

Science65%+33 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Under Principal Jacobs' skillful guidance, Waverly continues to outperform in every way, from the warm and nurturing student culture, the enthusiastic parent involvement and the commitment to excellence of the teaching staff (for the most part). I anticipate Waverly to continue to be the top elementary school in Hoco for many generations to come due to the strong foundation Jacobs is laying at our school. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, June 12, 2011

Our daughter goes to this school. The teachers and the principal are excellent! All grade teachers and all the office staff know almost all kids by their first name. My daughter feels very safe and happy in this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Waverly 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
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
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
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
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
Hollifield Station Elementary	Public	K-5	8701 Stonehouse Dr	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2550	677	50	13.6	26.0%	144 (21.3%)	97 (14.3%)	110 (16.2%)	285 (42.1%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (5.0%)	72.7	246^th of 864 public elementary schools	71.5%		81.2	167^th of 865 public elementary schools	80.7%	79	56.4	45.0	44.5	48.1	56.4	62.5	53.3	57.8	40.0	$18,629	$696	$17,933
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
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
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
Hernwood Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9919 Marriottsville Rd	Randallstown	21133	Baltimore County	Baltimore County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 887-0732	350	24	14.4	65.4%	7 (2.0%)	285 (81.4%)	35 (10.0%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.1%)	24.7	632^nd of 864 public elementary schools	26.9%		26.2	596^th of 865 public elementary schools	31.1%	36	15.7	17.5	15.0	16.1	27.5	36.4	35.0	33.1	21.7	$21,850	$2,341	$19,508
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Waverly Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Waverly Elementary?

Students at Waverly Elementary are 55% Asian, 26% White, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic.

How many students attend Waverly Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 827 students attended Waverly Elementary.

Is Waverly Elementary a good school?

Yes! Waverly Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 38^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Waverly Elementary attend?

Students who attend Waverly Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mount View Middle
High : Marriotts Ridge High

What district is Waverly 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.