Summary:
The nine schools in Baltimore's 21229 zip code, part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, serve nearly 4,700 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a community facing significant economic challenges, with an average free and reduced lunch rate of 81.4%.
Academically, North Bend Elementary/Middle stands out as the clear top performer, being the only school in the area to exceed the district average in both math (16.2% vs. 13.3%) and English Language Arts (35.1% vs. 32.9%). Its 3rd-grade math proficiency of 44.2% is nearly double the district average and even surpasses the state average. In contrast, Beechfield Elementary/Middle faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest proficiency rates in math (3.5%) and English (15.2%), the highest chronic absenteeism (56.1%), and the highest poverty rate (87.84%). Among high schools, Edmondson-Westside High is the stronger option, with a 74.1% graduation rate above the district average, though it struggles with an alarming 86.6% chronic absenteeism rate. Green Street Academy has lower test scores and a declining state ranking, dropping from the 35th percentile to the 7th percentile over recent years.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results—Beechfield spends the most per student ($25,940) yet performs the worst, while North Bend achieves top results with lower spending ($24,706). Another concern is that several elementary schools show strong early-grade performance that fades by middle school, suggesting a systemic issue with sustaining academic growth. Overall, while North Bend Elementary/Middle offers a bright spot, most schools in 21229 face steep academic hurdles, with average math proficiency at just 8.2% and chronic absenteeism affecting nearly half of all students.
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