The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in English language arts. The lowest is 62% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Folger Mckinsey Elementary
Folger Mckinsey Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Severna Park area of Anne Arundel County. It sits within the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system, a large district that recently opened Severn Run High School, a new comprehensive school that redrew attendance boundaries in the growing western part of the county.
On state assessments, the school’s performance is strongest in English language arts. Across tested grades, a large majority of students scored at proficient or above, with especially high rates in third and fourth grade. Math results are solid as well, though they show some variation by grade; third and fourth graders posted strong proficiency rates, while fifth grade math was lower. Science results, tested only in fifth grade, were mid-range. A parent may want to ask the school about the dip in fifth grade math and science to understand what supports are in place.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller proportions of students who are Hispanic, Asian, Black, multiracial, or American Indian or Alaska Native. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals is very low, reflecting the broader affluence of the community. The school’s enrollment is sizable for an elementary school in its grade band. No data was available on special education or English learner populations, and civil rights data such as discipline rates were not reported.
Severna Park is a suburban census-designated place, not an incorporated town, set between the Severn River and the Magothy River. It is a water-oriented, family-focused community with a high rate of homeownership. Commercial activity runs along Ritchie Highway and other main roads rather than a central downtown. The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, a paved path popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, passes through the area and serves as a major recreational anchor. Public transit is limited to a single bus route.
Housing in the Severna Park ZIP code is expensive, with home values well above the state and national medians and rents also high, making it a costly market for families. The community experienced strong growth in the early 2000s, but that pace has slowed. Vacancy rates for homes are very low, indicating a tight market. The combination of high housing costs and low poverty enrollment suggests the school draws from an economically stable population.
No program offerings were listed in the available data, so a detailed look at enrichment, gifted services, or specials is not possible here. Similarly, staffing ratios and chronic absenteeism rates were absent. The school’s neighbor comparison, which would normally position it among districts in Anne Arundel County, could not be computed because the cohort was too small for a meaningful comparison within this data set.
For a family considering the area, Folger Mckinsey Elementary offers consistently strong literacy instruction and generally solid math results through fourth grade, set within an affluent, suburban community with limited commercial downtown life and a strong orientation toward outdoor recreation along the river and trail. The tight housing market and high property values are a practical consideration for anyone looking to move into the attendance zone.
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