Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 21009

This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 21009 (Abingdon, MD), which serve grades PK-5 within the Harford County Public Schools district, revealing a clear performance hierarchy despite their close geographic proximity.

William S. James Elementary is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 71st percentile statewide. It leads the zip code in academic performance, with 42.9% proficiency in Math and 63% in English Language Arts, both well above state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate is remarkably low at 8.4%, and only 29.16% of students receive free/reduced lunch. In contrast, Abingdon Elementary performs solidly at the district average with a 3-star rating, showing a notable strength in Math (38.5% proficiency) that exceeds both the district and state averages, though its ELA scores lag behind. Old Post Road Elementary faces significant challenges, earning only a 1-star rating with a 27th percentile rank. It has the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (79.65%) and the highest chronic absenteeism rate (29.9%), which strongly correlates with its lowest academic scores across all subjects.

A key finding is that spending does not align with performance: Old Post Road receives the highest per-student funding ($17,859) yet has the lowest outcomes, while William S. James receives the least ($16,840) but achieves the best results. Similarly, William S. James has the highest student-teacher ratio (15.1), while Old Post Road has the smallest (12.7), indicating that smaller class sizes alone do not guarantee success. For parents, this data suggests that William S. James Elementary offers the strongest academic environment, while Old Post Road Elementary requires targeted support to address the deep-rooted challenges of poverty and absenteeism that impact learning.