The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Overlook Elementary
Overlook Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Linthicum, an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County just north of BWI Airport. The school belongs to Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the countywide district. Linthicum itself began as a truck-farming area and grew into a commuter suburb, shaped by the Baltimore and Annapolis Short Line railroad. Today it is divided by the Baltimore Beltway into two communities, each with its own civic association. The BWI Business District along West Nursery Road brings a substantial employment base of offices and companies, while the residential core retains a historic streetcar-suburb feel. Three Light Rail stops serve the area, and the Patapsco River forms the northern boundary.
Overlook Elementary’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving this many grades. The student body is racially diverse, with the largest group being white, followed by Black, Hispanic, and smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and other backgrounds. A majority of students come from low-income households, as indicated by the share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
On the Maryland state assessments, the share of students scoring proficient or above in math and reading was well below what many families might expect, particularly at the fifth-grade level. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through five were low, with a notably small fraction of fifth graders meeting the bar. Reading results were mixed: fourth graders had a higher proficiency rate, but third and fifth graders had much lower rates. In fifth-grade science, the share of students scoring proficient was very small. These results suggest that many students are not meeting grade-level expectations, and a parent may want to ask about the school’s strategies for improving achievement. Because Overlook is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report. The district has opened a new comprehensive high school in the western part of the county, which may affect future attendance boundaries for families moving through the system.
The housing market in Linthicum reflects its position as a close-in suburban community near Baltimore and the airport. Home values are moderately above the national median and comparable to the statewide figure, making it a middle-market area relative to the broader region. The community has seen population growth over recent decades, and its mix of older historic homes, mid-century subdivisions, and commercial development along the BWI corridor gives it a varied built environment. The cost of renting is high relative to area incomes, and owning a home often requires a substantial down payment.
Overlook Elementary fits a family looking for a neighborhood school in a community with transit access and a strong employment base nearby. However, the test results indicate significant academic challenges, and a parent may want to investigate what interventions, tutoring, or enrichment the school provides. Information on class sizes, teacher experience, discipline rates, and specific academic programs was not available in the data reviewed, so a visit to the school and a conversation with the principal would be valuable. For families who prioritize strong academic outcomes on standardized measures, this school may not be the right fit without a clear picture of how it supports struggling students and accelerates those who are already on track.
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