The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in English language arts. The lowest is 41% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Fort Garrison Elementary
Fort Garrison Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the northwestern corner of Baltimore County, within the city of Baltimore itself but operating under the county school district. For families looking at this school, the first thing to understand is that it is a small neighborhood elementary with a student body of a few hundred children. The school draws from a residential area, and the student composition is predominantly white, with a much smaller share of Black students, a modest number of Hispanic students, and a handful of Asian students. About a fifth of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which is below the typical share for a school in this region, indicating a relatively higher-income catchment.
On state testing, Fort Garrison performs well above the levels you would expect from an average Maryland elementary school, and this appears to be a clear strength. In reading, over three-quarters of students scored at the proficient or advanced level across grades three through five, with third graders posting an especially strong result. Math proficiency is also high, standing well above the state average at every tested grade level, with grade three again the standout. The fifth-grade science test results are softer, with fewer than half of students reaching proficiency. That science result is not unusual for an elementary school, and a parent may want to ask the school how science is taught in the intermediate grades, but the overall picture in the core subjects of reading and math is one of solid academic attainment.
Because this is an elementary school that ends at grade five, there is no graduation rate to report, which is standard for the grade span. The school does not appear to offer special programs such as magnet or charter options; it is a regular public school with what the data tells us is a straightforward academic program. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, and staffing was not available in the materials we reviewed, so we are unable to characterize those areas.
The school sits within the much larger Baltimore County Public Schools district, which is in the middle of several significant changes. The district adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum based on the science of reading starting in the 2023-2024 school year, so Fort Garrison is now teaching reading with an emphasis on phonics and explicit comprehension skills, a shift that may matter to families who follow early literacy research. The district also implemented a cell phone policy restricting use during instructional time across all grade levels. A voter-approved bond is funding security upgrades such as secure entrances and cameras, though it is not clear whether Fort Garrison has already received those improvements. The broader Blueprint for Maryland's Future plan is increasing state funding for the district, which supports pre-K expansion and other initiatives, though the specific impact at this school is not detailed.
The housing context around the school is worth noting for a family considering a move. Home values in the zip code are above the national median but below the statewide Maryland median, and they have been appreciating slowly. Rent is also elevated compared to the national average, making this a moderately expensive area. The typical rent in the area is lower than an estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home, which is a pattern that may push some renters toward continued renting rather than buying. Baltimore County's unemployment rate sits at the national average, and median household income nationally has been rising gradually in recent years.
Baltimore itself is a large city that has shifted from heavy industry to a service economy centered on Johns Hopkins Hospital and University. The school is located in a residential part of the county rather than downtown, and families should expect a suburban-style environment rather than an urban one. The city's population has seen a slight decline in recent years, but the immediate area around the school is established and stable.
For a parent trying to decide if Fort Garrison is the right fit, the data paints a picture of a small elementary school where academic fundamentals in reading and math are strong, the student body is less diverse than the county average and relatively well-off, and the district is actively updating its curriculum and policies. The softer science test result and the lack of information on special education or English learner supports may warrant a conversation with the school directly, but the core academic story is favorable.
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