The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in English language arts. The lowest is 66% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bel Air Elementary
Bel Air Elementary is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the town of Bel Air, the county seat of Harford County, Maryland. It is one of two elementary schools within the town limits, the other being Homestead-Wakefield Elementary, which the district is currently rebuilding into a single-building campus. Bel Air Elementary sits on Lee Street near the historic downtown corridor, a walkable area lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, and the courthouse that anchors the civic life of the town.
On the 2024-2025 Maryland state assessments, the school’s students posted solid results. In English language arts, a strong majority of third, fourth, and fifth graders scored at the proficient level or above. Math results were more varied but still showed a majority of students meeting proficiency benchmarks across those same grade levels. Fifth graders also took the state science assessment, and a roughly similar share scored proficient or above, with the state reporting the result as a range rather than a single figure. Because the data covers only one test administration, there is no multi-year trend to describe. The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
Enrollment at Bel Air Elementary places it among the larger elementary schools in the district. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students. About one-third of students come from families with incomes low enough to qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share that is moderate relative to the surrounding area. No data was available on the share of students receiving special education services or those classified as English learners, so those dimensions of the student profile are not covered here.
The town of Bel Air has a small-town feel with a historic downtown that serves as a commercial and cultural hub. Median home values in the area are above the national average, and rents have been rising. A family considering the school will find a mix of older single-family homes in established neighborhoods and some newer development on the town’s outskirts. The town’s largest employers are the hospital, county and state government, and retail, providing a stable local economy. Public transit is limited to a county bus system, so most families rely on cars.
At the district level, Harford County Public Schools is implementing a state-mandated “Keep Students In Class” law that took effect for the 2024-2025 school year, changing how absences and disciplinary actions are handled. Parents at Bel Air Elementary will experience those policy shifts directly during drop-off and pickup interactions and attendance notifications. The rebuilding of Homestead-Wakefield Elementary is a notable capital project that may shift attendance boundaries or school assignment in the future, though no change for Bel Air Elementary has been announced.
Because Bel Air Elementary is a school within a single-district county, it was not possible to compare its performance against other districts in Harford County. A parent interested in how this school stacks up locally will need to rely on the profile data presented here and direct conversations with the school or district office. Overall, the school offers a solid academic foundation in the early grades, with strong ELA results and a reliable majority of students meeting math and science benchmarks. The setting—a walkable historic town with a mix of housing and a stable employment base—will appeal to families looking for a traditional elementary school experience in a community that serves as the county’s center for government and commerce.
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