Summary:
Zip code 20764 is home to a single school, Shady Side Elementary, a public elementary school serving grades PK through 5 with 391 students in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.
Shady Side Elementary stands out as a strong performer within its district, consistently outpacing both the district and state averages in core academic subjects. For the 2025-2026 school year, the school achieved a 38.6% proficiency rate in Mathematics, significantly higher than the district's 29.3% and the state's 27.1%. In English Language Arts, the school's 56.8% proficiency rate also exceeded the district's 55.9% and the state's 51.7%. The school's state ranking has improved, moving from the 62nd percentile to the 66th percentile, indicating positive momentum. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.3 and a spending per student of $19,097, the school invests heavily in its students. However, chronic absenteeism sits at 19.7%, nearly matching the district average, despite a relatively low free/reduced lunch rate of 27.62%.
A notable pattern is a decline in test scores as students progress through grade levels, with 5th grade proficiency dropping to 28.4% in Math and 49.3% in ELA, compared to 45.5% and 63% in 3rd grade. This "5th grade dip" suggests a need for targeted support for upper elementary students as they prepare for middle school. Overall, Shady Side Elementary is a bright spot in a mid-ranked district, demonstrating strong academic outcomes, particularly in math, while facing challenges with chronic absenteeism and maintaining performance through the upper grades.
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