Summary:
There are eight elementary schools in the 21222 zip code (Dundalk, Maryland), all part of the Baltimore County Public Schools district, serving grades PK-5 and facing significant challenges with high economic disadvantage and chronic absenteeism.
Charlesmont Elementary is the clear standout, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 57th percentile statewide, with math proficiency (39%) nearly double the district average and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (16.3%). In contrast, Sandy Plains Elementary has the highest chronic absenteeism (38.9%) and economic disadvantage (80%), correlating with very low test scores. Battle Grove Elementary spends the most per student ($32,452) but ranks in the 21st percentile, highlighting a disconnect between spending and outcomes. The zip code average for math proficiency is 21.7%, and for ELA it is 28.8%, both well below state averages, while science proficiency (14.1%) is less than half the state average.
A critical finding is the "5th grade cliff," where math proficiency drops dramatically between 4th and 5th grade at schools like Logan Elementary (from 36.2% to 9.5%). Chronic absenteeism is a defining challenge, with the three lowest-performing schools—Dundalk Elementary, Sandy Plains, and Battle Grove—all having rates at or above 25%. The comparison between Charlesmont and Sandy Plains powerfully illustrates how lower absenteeism and economic disadvantage are linked to higher academic success, making attendance a key lever for improvement in this area.
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