The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Math. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Matthew A. Henson Elementary
Matthew A. Henson Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the city of Baltimore. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet school. The school is part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Henson Elementary is one of many neighborhood elementary schools within a large urban district that serves families across Baltimore.
The student body is small for an elementary school and predominantly Black, with a much smaller share of Hispanic students and very small numbers of white, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports offered for those populations.
On the most recent state assessments, math proficiency rates were modest, with the share of students scoring proficient or above landing in a range that was higher than some peers but still well below state averages. The school's results in English language arts were lower than its math performance, with the proportion of students reaching proficiency notably small. In science, no fifth-grade student tested proficient, an outcome that a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand what instruction and supports are in place. Across all tested subjects and grades combined, Henson Elementary’s overall proficiency score placed it in the top quartile among Baltimore city schools, which is a positive sign within the local context, though this reflects comparisons with a small number of other city schools rather than a broader statewide benchmark. Because the school serves only elementary grades, it does not have a graduation rate, and data on chronic absenteeism was not available.
The school is located on North Payson Street in the city. Baltimore has a service-oriented economy anchored by Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, the city’s largest employers. The Port of Baltimore also remains a significant economic driver. The city is known for its historic districts and dense urban fabric, with neighborhoods that vary widely in housing stock and affordability. Home values in the area around the school are low relative to the state and national medians, and rents are modest. The city’s population has declined modestly in recent years, and a major infrastructure project to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge is underway, estimated to be a very large investment with completion expected in the next few years.
No recent district-level changes with lasting impact for parents were identified in the search of publicly reported information, though the district does face ongoing budget and enrollment pressures common to large urban systems. For a family considering Henson Elementary, the school offers a small, neighborhood-anchored setting in a city with deep civic and cultural resources. The academic results suggest that while some students are meeting grade-level benchmarks in math, overall proficiency, particularly in English language arts and science, is an area where the school is working from a low base. A parent interested in the school would likely want to learn more about the specific instructional programs, intervention strategies, and enrichment offerings the school provides.
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