Best Public Schools in Zip Code 21921

The 10 public schools in zip code 21921 (Elkton, MD) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and are all part of the Cecil County Public Schools district, which is ranked 17th out of 25 districts in the state. The area offers a mix of elementary, middle, and high school options, with seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, creating a wide range of academic performance across the community.

The standout schools in this zip code are Kenmore Elementary and Leeds Elementary, both earning 3-star ratings and ranking in the 60th and 59th percentiles statewide, respectively. These two schools consistently outperform the district and state averages in math and English Language Arts (ELA), and they boast the lowest chronic absenteeism rates in the area at just 12.4% each. In contrast, Gilpin Manor Elementary is the lowest-ranked school in the zip code, sitting in the 4th percentile with critically low proficiency rates of 8.4% in math and 16.2% in ELA. Among middle schools, Cherry Hill Middle is on a clear upward trajectory, improving to the 55th percentile and earning a 3-star rating, while Elkton Middle struggles with the highest chronic absenteeism rate in the entire zip code at 37.3%.

One of the most interesting findings is the extreme disparity at Elkton High, which has the highest ELA proficiency rate in the zip code at 57% but the lowest math proficiency rate at just 1.1%. Additionally, the data shows that higher spending per student does not guarantee better results, as Cecil Manor Elementary spends the most per student ($19,748) but ranks in the 26th percentile, while Elk Neck Elementary spends the least ($15,334) but outperforms it. Overall, the zip code averages 20.4% proficiency in math and 38.7% in ELA, both below state averages, with chronic absenteeism at 21.9% and economic disadvantage affecting 58% of students.