The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lansdowne Elementary
Lansdowne Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Baltimore County Public Schools system. The school is located in the Baltimore area, a major independent city with a service-oriented economy anchored by Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, a historic port, and a dense urban fabric of walkable neighborhoods and cultural institutions. The city has experienced a modest population decline in recent years.
The school’s enrollment reflects a diverse student body drawn from the surrounding community. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by students who are white, Black, Asian, and two or more races, with small numbers of other groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that a significant portion of families have lower household incomes.
State testing data from the most recent school year is available for grades three through five. Results on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program show that proficiency rates in English language arts and math were limited across all tested grades. In English language arts, the share of students scoring at or above proficient was in the teens. In math, proficiency rates were lower, in the single digits or low double digits, depending on the grade. Fifth-grade science results on the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment showed a very small share of students reaching proficiency. These results place Lansdowne Elementary in a position where a parent would very likely want to look into what support systems and academic interventions the school provides. The district recently adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading, which may affect future results as it takes hold. There is only one year of data available in the source material, so no year-over-year trend could be established.
The neighborhood associated with the school’s zip code shows home values that are above the national median but below the state median, with rent prices that are a moderate share of area income, suggesting a housing market that is relatively accessible compared to pricier parts of the region. The broader economic context includes a national unemployment rate that has been stable and modest, and a median household income near the national average.
The Baltimore County Public Schools district is in the midst of several changes that could affect Lansdowne Elementary. The new literacy curriculum is a direct shift in how reading is taught at the elementary level, with an emphasis on phonics and comprehension. The district also implemented a district-wide cell phone policy restricting phone use during the school day for all grade levels, though this is more immediately relevant to older students. Boundary changes approved for high school feeder systems elsewhere in the county do not appear to directly affect Lansdowne Elementary based on the available information. A voter-approved bond issue has funded security improvements across district schools, including secure entrances and cameras. The district is also implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a multi-year state plan that is expanding pre-kindergarten access, raising teacher salaries, and bringing additional state funding, all of which could influence resources and programming at Lansdowne over time.
The state testing results represent the core academic picture for the school. Families considering Lansdowne Elementary should weigh the limited proficiency rates against the district’s new literacy initiative and any school-specific academic support programs, about which no information was available in the provided data.
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