The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Solley Elementary
Solley Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Glen Burnie, a suburban area of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The school is part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which recently opened a new comprehensive middle school and high school in the growing western part of the county, though that boundary change is likely to affect families farther west rather than those near Solley’s attendance zone.
State testing data from the 2024–2025 school year, from Maryland’s MCAP for English language arts and math and the MISA for science, shows a mixed picture across grade levels. In English language arts, the third and fourth graders met the state’s proficiency standard at rates that are near the midpoint of what elementary schools in the county typically report, while fifth graders scored lower. Math proficiency rates were lower across all three tested grades, with a particularly sharp drop in fifth grade. Science results for fifth graders were also below what many families might expect. The pattern suggests that as students approach the upper elementary grades, performance in math and science becomes a soft spot that parents may wish to discuss with the school to understand what supports are in place.
The student body is large for an elementary school. The composition is predominantly white, with Black and Hispanic students each making up sizable shares, and smaller groups of students who identify as Asian, two or more races, or Native American. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, giving the school a moderate level of economic diversity. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent should check with the school directly about those programs and services.
Glen Burnie is a sprawling, car-dependent community that sits at the intersection of several major highways and is adjacent to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. It has multiple shopping malls, mid-rise office towers, and light rail access to Baltimore, but lacks a traditional walkable downtown. The housing market in the ZIP code reflects typical Anne Arundel County costs: home values and rents are slightly above the national median, and the area has seen steady population growth over the past several decades, though the pace has slowed as land for development fills. For a family considering this area, the commute to Baltimore or to the airport is short, and the community offers a mix of suburban residential streets and commercial corridors.
The school itself does not report data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or program offerings such as art, music, or special academic tracks. Those are important details for any parent choosing a school, and the absence means a family would need to gather that information from the district or a school visit. Solley is a Title I–eligible school, but the specific Title I status was not provided.
For a parent weighing this school, the key takeaway is that it serves a large, economically diverse student population in a suburban area with convenient transit and steady housing demand. Academic performance on state tests is mixed, with English language arts in the middle grades being a relative strength and math and science needing attention. The lack of broader data on student supports and school environment means a prospective family should plan to dig deeper with the school and district to get a full picture.
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