Summary:
In zip code 20724 (Laurel, MD), three elementary schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade (with Monarch Global Academy PCS Laurel Campus extending through 8th grade), all part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which ranks in the middle of Maryland districts.
Monarch Global Academy PCS Laurel Campus is the standout school in this area, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 43rd percentile statewide—far ahead of its neighbors. It boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (11.6%) and the highest academic performance, with 51.1% of students proficient in English Language Arts (ELA) and 22.3% in Math. Notably, its 8th graders excel in advanced coursework, with 71.9% proficient in ELA and 52% in Algebra I, far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Brock Bridge Elementary and Maryland City Elementary both hold 1-star ratings and rank in the bottom 27th and 18th percentiles, respectively. Their academic scores are significantly lower, with ELA proficiency at 35.5% and 25.8%, and Math at 17.0% and 14.8%.
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results. Maryland City Elementary spends the most per student ($20,794) and has a low student-teacher ratio (11.4), yet it performs the worst academically. Meanwhile, Monarch Global Academy spends the least ($18,467) with a higher ratio (13.4) but achieves the best outcomes. Chronic absenteeism is a clear differentiator: Monarch’s rate (11.6%) is well below the district average (19.9%), while Brock Bridge (22.7%) and Maryland City (25.8%) struggle with attendance. For parents, this suggests that school culture and leadership at Monarch drive success, while the other two schools face systemic challenges that require more than just additional resources to overcome.
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