The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Woodholme Elementary
Woodholme Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Baltimore County, part of the Baltimore County Public Schools system. It is a regular public school with an enrollment that is sizable for an elementary building. The student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with a smaller representation of white, Asian, and multiracial students. More than half of the students come from low-income households as measured by free- and reduced-price meal eligibility.
On state assessments administered through the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, Woodholme’s results fall well below the levels many families hope to see. In both math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above is low, and it drops further from third to fifth grade in math. In science, tested in fifth grade with the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment, proficiency is especially weak. These are the most recent available results, covering a single year, so the data does not show whether performance is trending up or down. The school serves only elementary grades, so no graduation rate exists; that measure does not apply here.
The surrounding community is part of Baltimore, an independent city with a diversified economy anchored by Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, a major port, and a mix of residential neighborhoods. The city has many historic districts and a walkable urban fabric, though its population has seen a modest decline in recent years. A major infrastructure project to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge is underway. Housing values in the zip code near Woodholme fall around the middle of the broader metro area, with rents also in a moderate range.
Baltimore County Public Schools has been implementing several district-wide shifts that affect Woodholme. A new elementary literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading began in the 2023-24 school year, emphasizing phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. For families moving into the area, it is worth knowing that boundary changes for several high school feeder systems, including Hereford, Dulaney, and Loch Raven, were approved to take effect in the 2025-26 school year; these affect which schools children attend in those feeder patterns. A district-wide cell phone policy restricting phone use during instructional time began in 2024-25, with elementary students required to keep phones stored and silenced all day. The district is also in the midst of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a multi-year state plan that expands pre-K, raises teacher salaries, and aims to improve college and career readiness. Additionally, voters approved a bond issue for school safety and security improvements such as secure entrances and cameras.
Woodholme’s academic proficiency rates are a substantial concern. A parent considering this school would want to ask what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations, how the new literacy curriculum is taking hold, and what the school’s approach is to math and science instruction. The school does not report data on special education services or English learner populations, so families with children who may need those supports should inquire directly. The broader district is investing in early literacy and has committed to the Blueprint’s goals, but the school’s current test results suggest that many students are far from reaching that bar.
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