Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 21236 zip code of Baltimore, Maryland—Perry Hall Elementary, Gunpowder Elementary, and Fullerton Elementary—all part of the Baltimore County Public Schools district, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks 18th out of 25 districts in Maryland.
Perry Hall Elementary is the standout school in this area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% of Maryland elementary schools (81st percentile). It is the only school in the zip code to exceed state averages in both Math (54.1% proficiency vs. state 27.1%) and English Language Arts (68.3% vs. state 51.7%), and its Math proficiency rate is more than double the district average of 21.9%. In contrast, Fullerton Elementary has the lowest academic performance and a 2-star rating, despite spending the most per student ($19,649) and having the smallest class sizes (14.7:1 student-teacher ratio). Gunpowder Elementary falls in the middle with a 3-star rating and 54th percentile ranking, performing below state averages in core subjects.
Chronic absenteeism is a key factor, with Perry Hall Elementary having the lowest rate (14.5%) and highest scores, while Fullerton Elementary has the highest absenteeism (17.4%) and lowest scores—though all three schools outperform the district average of 25.6%. Additionally, both Gunpowder Elementary and Fullerton Elementary show a significant drop in math proficiency from 3rd to 5th grade, suggesting a challenge in upper elementary math instruction that Perry Hall Elementary has successfully avoided.
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