Summary:
The 21114 zip code in Crofton, Maryland, is home to four highly-rated public elementary schools serving approximately 2,582 students, all part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.
Crofton Woods Elementary is the clear academic leader, ranking in the 88th percentile statewide with the highest proficiency rates in Math (54.5%), ELA (72.9%), and Science (66.7%). It also has the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (13.34%) and the lowest per-student spending ($14,877), making it the most cost-effective school in the area. In contrast, Crofton Elementary is a declining performer, spending the most per student ($16,324) yet experiencing a significant drop in Math proficiency from 54% to 47.5% and a downward trend in its state ranking. Crofton Meadows Elementary is the most improved school, showing a slight upward trend in its percentile rank and boasting the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (8.0%) in the zip code. However, it has a notable 5th grade "math wall," where proficiency plummets to 28.6%, below the state average. Nantucket Elementary achieves strong results (76th percentile) despite having the highest poverty rate (27.85% free/reduced lunch), indicating excellent support for its student population.
Overall, every school in this zip code dramatically outperforms district and state averages in all subjects, confirming a strong "Crofton Premium" in educational quality. Chronic absenteeism is a non-issue, with all schools well below the district average of 19.9%. A critical takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as Crofton Woods proves with its efficient budget allocation. For parents, this area offers consistently excellent elementary education, with Crofton Woods as the top choice for academic rigor, while Crofton Meadows and Nantucket provide strong community support and engagement.
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