The top reported proficiency rate is 3% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary
Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary is a regular public school in Baltimore, Maryland, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It sits on North Caroline Street in the city’s eastern neighborhoods, within the Baltimore City Public Schools district. The school is named after Dr. Bernard Harris, a former NASA astronaut, and operates as a traditional district school with no charter status.
The student body is small for its grade band. Nearly all students come from low-income households, with a very high share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The student population is predominantly Black, with small numbers of Hispanic, multiracial, Asian, and American Indian students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the reviewed records.
On Maryland’s state assessments, the school’s results are low. In third-grade math, a small minority of students scored proficient or above; in fourth and fifth grade, none did. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: a small percentage of third and fifth graders met the standard, and no fourth graders did. In fifth-grade science, no students reached proficiency. Across all tested grades and subjects, the school’s overall proficiency rate places it at the bottom among the two districts within Baltimore city. A parent considering this school may want to ask school leaders about the instructional strategies and supports in place to address these results.
Because the school serves only elementary and early middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was also not available in the materials reviewed. No program offerings, such as gifted education or specialized academies, were listed in the data provided, which means a family should confirm directly with the school what enrichment opportunities exist.
Baltimore is an independent city that has shifted from an industrial base to a service-oriented economy, with Johns Hopkins Hospital and University as leading employers. The city is known for its historic neighborhoods, a dense urban fabric, and landmarks like the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry. The population has experienced a slight decline in recent years. A major infrastructure project to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge is underway, with completion expected in the coming years. The district itself did not have specific recent changes of lasting parent impact publicly reported at the time of review.
For families weighing this school, the picture centers on a high-needs student population and very limited academic performance data. The school works with an enrollment of about that size for its grade band, offering a neighborhood setting in a large urban district. A parent may wish to visit the school, talk with staff about academic interventions and family engagement, and understand how the school supports students who enter below grade level. The housing market in the surrounding zip code shows home values below state and national benchmarks and rental prices that are moderate relative to local incomes, which may factor into residency decisions.
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