The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in English language arts. The lowest is 76% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Benfield Elementary
Benfield Elementary is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Severna Park, Maryland, within Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The school is a straightforward neighborhood elementary option, with no magnet or charter designation, and no Title I status reported in the available data. Because it serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate, and state testing data is limited to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for math and English language arts, plus the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) for science in fifth grade.
On the MCAP, English language arts results stand out as strong across all tested grades. In third and fourth grade, a large majority of students scored at the proficient or above level, and fifth grade results were similarly high. These are well above typical state averages and suggest that reading and writing instruction is a reliable strength. Math results are more uneven. Fourth grade math proficiency was solid, but third and fifth grade math were lower, and both fell in a range that parents may want to discuss further with the school. The MISA science results for fifth grade also showed a similar range to the math, meaning a meaningful share of students did not reach proficiency. Overall, the school’s academic profile points to strong literacy outcomes alongside moderate math and science performance that may benefit from targeted support.
The student body is relatively homogeneous. Enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving these grades. The demographic makeup is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals is low, suggesting a generally affluent student population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided, so it is unclear how many students receive special education or language support services. A parent considering the school may want to ask the school directly about the availability of those services.
Severna Park itself is a primarily residential, suburban census-designated place situated between the Severn and Magothy Rivers. It is a water-oriented community with a high homeownership rate and a family-friendly character. Housing values are well above state and national medians, and rental prices are correspondingly high. The housing market is tight, with very low vacancy. The built environment is car-dependent overall, though the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, a paved path that runs through the community, provides a localized pedestrian and biking corridor. Public transit is limited to one bus route. There is no incorporated downtown; commercial services are spread along major roads such as Ritchie Highway. The area experienced faster growth earlier in the 2000s and has since slowed.
The school is part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, a large district. A recent district change that affects families is the opening of Severn Run High School in nearby Severn, which redrew some attendance boundaries in the western part of the county. For Benfield Elementary families, this may not directly affect elementary assignments, but it reflects ongoing capacity adjustments in the region.
In summary, Benfield Elementary is a solid neighborhood school where English language arts results are a clear strength, math and science are more mixed, and the student body is economically advantaged and predominantly white. The surrounding community is suburban, affluent, and water-oriented, with limited public transit and tight housing. A family moving into the area with an eye on elementary academics will find strong literacy instruction and a context that fits a family seeking a well-resourced public school in a stable residential setting.
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