The top reported proficiency rate is 22% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Arlington Elementary
Arlington Elementary is a regular public school in Baltimore, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Baltimore City Public Schools system, the district that covers the city itself. The school occupies a building on West Rogers Avenue, in a residential stretch of the city.
State testing results from the most recent year show that the share of Arlington students meeting the proficiency standard is low. In math, the portion of students scoring at proficient or above was small across the three tested grades, and in reading it was also limited, though slightly higher. In science, only a very small group of fifth graders reached the proficiency threshold. These figures place Arlington’s overall academic performance above the midpoint when compared with other schools in Baltimore city, but the actual attainment levels are well below what most families would expect from a school where the majority of students are working at grade level. A parent considering this school may want to speak directly with staff about the approaches being used to raise achievement and how the school supports students who are behind.
The student body is diverse, composed primarily of Black and Hispanic children, with very small numbers from other racial groups. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, as indicated by the free and reduced-price meal program. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data we reviewed, so a parent should ask the school about the specific supports offered for those populations.
Arlington Elementary is one of many schools in Baltimore, a city that has shifted from an industrial past to a service-oriented economy. Major employers include Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, and the Port of Baltimore remains an economic engine. The city has a dense, walkable urban fabric with historic neighborhoods like Fell’s Point and Mount Vernon, and it is home to the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. The population has experienced a slight decline in recent years, and a major infrastructure project is underway to replace a collapsed bridge, with completion expected in the near future. The school itself is located in a part of the city that features a mix of older rowhouses and single-family homes.
Housing costs in the zip code serve as a reference. The typical home value is noticeably lower than the state average and also below the national figure. Rents have been rising modestly in the area. For a family renting, the typical monthly rent is such that it accounts for a manageable share of the national median income, though local income levels may differ. Compared with buying, renting appears to be the less expensive monthly option at current mortgage rates, which are in the mid-single-digit range. The unemployment rate nationally is around four percent, and median household income nationally has been trending up slowly.
The school’s grade band means there is no high school graduation rate to report. We also did not find information on discipline, staffing, chronic absenteeism, course access, or specific program offerings for this school. The district itself did not have publicly reported recent changes that would be of direct relevance to parents, such as boundary adjustments or major policy shifts.
For a family looking at Arlington Elementary, the picture is one of a neighborhood school serving a predominantly low-income student population with academic outcomes that are low by state standards. The school is part of the Baltimore City system, which has its own set of district-wide initiatives and challenges. A parent or guardian will want to visit, sit in on classes, and ask about how the school addresses reading and math gaps, what enrichment or intervention programs exist, and how the school engages with the surrounding community. The available data provides a starting point, but the full story will come from talking to the principal and teachers.
See more original research from School Decision →