Summary:
The 21225 zip code, encompassing the Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, and Cherry Hill neighborhoods, contains ten schools serving elementary through high school grades, split between the Baltimore City Public Schools and Anne Arundel County Public Schools districts, creating a stark divide in student outcomes.
The most significant finding is the dramatic performance gap between the two districts. Brooklyn Park Middle (AACPS) stands out as the top performer, with an exceptional Algebra I proficiency rate of 71.9% (2025-2026), far exceeding the state average of 21.3%. In contrast, The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle (BCPS) ranks in the 2nd percentile statewide, with only 2% math proficiency and a 57.7% chronic absenteeism rate. The only high school, Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove (BCPS), is in crisis with a 39.7% dropout rate and 80.7% chronic absenteeism. AACPS schools average 28.6% chronic absenteeism, while BCPS schools average 55.3%—nearly double. Despite BCPS spending an average of $23,992 per student versus $21,764 for AACPS, the higher spending does not translate to better results, with AACPS schools consistently outperforming in ELA and math proficiency.
Key takeaways for parents: The district boundary is the strongest predictor of school quality. Park Elementary, Brooklyn Park Elementary, and Belle Grove Elementary (all AACPS) offer more stable environments with lower absenteeism and better test scores. Maree Garnett Farring Elementary/Middle, Bay-Brook Elementary/Middle, and Curtis Bay Elementary (all BCPS) face significant challenges, while Arundel Elementary (BCPS) lacks recent test data, making it a "black box" despite high poverty and absenteeism rates.
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