Summary:
Zip code 21214 in Baltimore, Maryland, is home to three elementary/middle schools—Hamilton Elementary/Middle, Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle, and City Neighbors Hamilton—all part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, serving students from Pre-K or Kindergarten through 8th grade.
City Neighbors Hamilton is the standout school in the area, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 62nd percentile statewide. It leads in academic performance with 24.3% math proficiency and 53.2% English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, both well above the district averages of 13.3% and 32.9%, respectively. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 14.3%, far lower than the district average of 46.4%. In contrast, Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle faces significant challenges, with a 2-star rating, the lowest state rank (31st percentile), and a chronic absenteeism rate of 47.9%. Its math proficiency (10.3%) and ELA proficiency (30.8%) trail both district and state averages. Hamilton Elementary/Middle sits in the middle, with a 2-star rating, 41st percentile rank, and stronger ELA performance (45.1%) than the district, though its math proficiency (18.8%) is below the state average.
A key takeaway is that per-student spending does not predict success: City Neighbors Hamilton and Garrett Heights spend nearly the same amount ($24,020 vs. $24,021 per student), yet their outcomes differ dramatically. Chronic absenteeism emerges as a critical factor, with lower rates strongly linked to higher test scores. Additionally, both Hamilton and Garrett Heights show a notable drop in proficiency between 3rd and 4th grade, signaling a need for targeted support. City Neighbors Hamilton serves as a model for the district, achieving high results despite a larger student-teacher ratio (17.2), highlighting the importance of school culture and instructional quality.
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