Park Heights Academy

Summary:

Park Heights Academy is an elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland, serving 344 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, which is ranked 24th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. The student population at Park Heights Academy is predominantly African American, making up around 90% of the student body.

Park Heights Academy consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Maryland, with statewide rankings between 810-853 out of around 850 schools over the past decade. The school's proficiency rates in MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) Mathematics and English Language Arts are significantly lower than the Baltimore City Public Schools and Maryland state averages, often by 10-20 percentage points or more. The school has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 82.53% to 88.95% over the past three school years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Despite this, Park Heights Academy spends a relatively high amount per student, ranging from $18,952 to $21,190 over the past three school years.

When comparing Park Heights Academy to nearby schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools district, it becomes clear that the school is significantly underperforming academically. For example, The Mount Washington School, located just 1.52 miles away, consistently outperforms Park Heights Academy by 20-30 percentage points or more in MCAP proficiency rates. Park Heights Academy's academic performance has been consistently low over the past decade, with the school ranking in the bottom 10-15% of Maryland elementary schools each year, suggesting that the school is struggling to improve student outcomes despite the additional funding and resources it receives.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2835 Virginia Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-6534

(410) 396-0550

District: Baltimore City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
832^nd of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $22,997

Student/teacher ratio: 12.9

Number of students: 350

Racial breakdown:

African American:

90.3%

Hispanic:

4.0%

White:

2.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 90.6%

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Compare Park Heights Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Park Heights Academy ranks worse than 96.9% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks 84^th among 101 ranked elementary schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.71. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (90.3%), Hispanic (4%), two or more races (2.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 90.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Park Heights Academy is 12.9, which is the 26^th best among 101 elementary schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Park Heights Academy employs 27 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Park Heights Academy is $22,997, which is the 48^th highest among 101 elementary schools in the Baltimore City Public Schools District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Park Heights Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Baltimore City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Baltimore City Public Schools 24^th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Park Heights Academy.

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Rank History for Park Heights Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MD State Percentile
2004	81.91	125^th	803	84.4%
2005	78.97	153^rd	805	81.0%
2006	81.81	119^th	804	85.2%
2007	79.04	136^th	818	83.4%
2008	12.27	795^th	838	5.1%
2009	28.24	681^st	850	19.9%
2010	20.59	756^th	855	11.6%
2011	6.09	822^nd	853	3.6%
2012	0.87	850^th	857	0.8%
2013	0.22	845^th	847	0.2%
2014	4.88	825^th	867	4.8%
2015	7.63	850^th	859	1.0%
2016	8.82	810^th	845	4.1%
2018	6.96	829^th	857	3.3%
2019	8.50	816^th	853	4.3%
2022	7.37	853^rd	862	1.0%
2023	6.72	840^th	855	1.8%
2024	8.71	832^nd	859	3.1%

See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Wednesday, December 20, 2017

I was house hunting and a serious consideration for purchasing in this area were the schools. Upon entering the school and asking a few questions as to their curriculum I was first looked at for a moment by the admin, then they called in a fellow co-worker. I was told 'you don't want to send your kids here! your kind don't fit in here' and given a big laugh. It was because I was white and the school is 99 black.... very unfortunate. I thanked them for their time and don't dare come back to this area again. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Park Heights Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	0	412	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	412
1990	0	440	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	-4	436
1991	0	472	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	472
1992	0	506	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	506
1993	1	561	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	562
1994	1	589	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	593
1995	0	584	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	586
1996	0	584	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	586
1997	1	561	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	564
1998	1	613	1	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	617
1999	2	553	2	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	559
2000	6	516	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	522
2001	1	518	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	519
2002	1	562	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	563
2003	1	562	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	563
2004	2	511	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	514
2005	3	520	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	524
2006	2	509	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	513
2007	4	479	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	485
2008	1	535	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	537
2009	7	600	5	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	612
2010	7	627	4	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	639
2011	5	644	4	3	0	0	0	0	656
2012	10	594	4	4	0	1	1	0	614
2013	8	572	2	4	0	0	2	0	588
2014	9	489	2	8	0	0	2	0	510
2015	2	461	0	6	0	0	1	0	470
2016	12	348	0	4	1	0	1	0	366
2017	9	311	0	5	1	0	2	0	328
2018	4	280	0	6	1	0	2	0	293
2019	4	199	0	6	0	0	0	0	209
2020	2	204	0	6	0	0	3	0	215
2021	5	278	1	11	0	1	4	0	300
2022	6	263	1	15	1	0	6	0	292
2023	9	307	1	12	4	0	11	0	344
2024	8	316	1	14	3	0	8	0	350

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Park Heights Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	412	18.5	22.2	n/a
1990	436	17.8	24.4	78.4
1991	472	18.4	25.6	76.5
1992	506	20.4	24.8	78.7
1993	562	26.0	21.6	70.8
1994	593	28.3	21.0	83.5
1995	586	30.2	19.4	89.1
1996	586	30.2	19.4	89.1
1997	564	31.3	18.0	94.9
1998	617	30.0	20.6	89.6
1999	559	30.0	18.6	93.7
2000	522	28.9	18.1	94.1
2001	519	26.9	19.3	94.6
2002	563	42.0	13.4	82.9
2003	563	42.0	13.4	82.9
2004	514	36.0	14.3	87.5
2005	524	28.0	18.7	85.3
2006	513	37.0	13.9	87.5
2007	485	38.5	12.6	89.5
2008	537	38.0	14.1	85.1
2009	612	37.0	16.5	80.4
2010	639	44.0	14.5	92
2011	656	41.0	16.0	95
2012	614	39.5	15.5	92.5
2013	588	35.0	16.8	91.8
2014	510	34.0	15.0	97.6
2015	470	29.0	16.2	98.7
2016	366	21.0	17.4	100
2017	328	18.5	17.7	100
2018	293	18.5	15.8	100
2019	209	16.0	13.0	100
2020	215	13.0	16.5	68.4
2021	300	22.0	13.6	85
2022	292	20.0	14.6	82.5
2023	344	21.0	16.3	89
2024	350	27.0	12.9	90.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Park Heights Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	412	18.5	22.2	n/a
1990	436	17.8	24.4	78.4
1991	472	18.4	25.6	76.5
1992	506	20.4	24.8	78.7
1993	562	26.0	21.6	70.8
1994	593	28.3	21.0	83.5
1995	586	30.2	19.4	89.1
1996	586	30.2	19.4	89.1
1997	564	31.3	18.0	94.9
1998	617	30.0	20.6	89.6
1999	559	30.0	18.6	93.7
2000	522	28.9	18.1	94.1
2001	519	26.9	19.3	94.6
2002	563	42.0	13.4	82.9
2003	563	42.0	13.4	82.9
2004	514	36.0	14.3	87.5
2005	524	28.0	18.7	85.3
2006	513	37.0	13.9	87.5
2007	485	38.5	12.6	89.5
2008	537	38.0	14.1	85.1
2009	612	37.0	16.5	80.4
2010	639	44.0	14.5	92
2011	656	41.0	16.0	95
2012	614	39.5	15.5	92.5
2013	588	35.0	16.8	91.8
2014	510	34.0	15.0	97.6
2015	470	29.0	16.2	98.7
2016	366	21.0	17.4	100
2017	328	18.5	17.7	100
2018	293	18.5	15.8	100
2019	209	16.0	13.0	100
2020	215	13.0	16.5	68.4
2021	300	22.0	13.6	85
2022	292	20.0	14.6	82.5
2023	344	21.0	16.3	89
2024	350	27.0	12.9	90.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Park Heights Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$3,662 (17.3%)	$17,528 (82.7%)	$21,190
2020	$2,423 (12.5%)	$16,930 (87.5%)	$19,353
2021	$2,843 (15.0%)	$16,108 (85.0%)	$18,952
2022	$4,532 (21.4%)	$16,628 (78.6%)	$21,160
2023	$1,599 (7.0%)	$21,398 (93.0%)	$22,997

Data source: Maryland Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Park Heights Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 816^th of 853 Elementary schools	Ranks 840^th of 855 Elementary schools	2.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	209	344	64.6%
African American	199	307	54.3%
American Indian	0	4
Asian	0	1
Hispanic	6	12	100%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	4	9	125%
Two or More Races	0	11
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	89%	11%

Schools Near Park Heights Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCAP Mathematics (2024)						MCAP English Language Arts (2024)							MCAP Algebra I (2024)	MCAP Geometry (2024)	MCAP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	MCAP Science 5th Grade	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Park Heights Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	2835 Virginia Avenue	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0550	350	27	12.9	90.6%	8 (2.3%)	316 (90.3%)	14 (4.0%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.3%)	8.7	832^nd of 859 public elementary schools	3.1%		6.7	840^th of 855 public elementary schools	1.8%	8	16.3					7.8	9.1	16.7					9.9					$22,997	$1,599	$21,398
Pimlico Elementary/Middle	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	4849 Pimlico Road	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0876	764	42	18.1	83.2%	10 (1.3%)	631 (82.6%)	118 (15.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	5.8	855^th of 859 public elementary schools	0.5%		4.8	853^rd of 855 public elementary schools	0.2%	2	5.1						6.8	11.8	17.5	11.8	27.3	10.5	15.1					$27,553	$1,515	$26,038
Creative City Public Charter School	Public, Charter	K-7	2810 Shirley Avenue	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(443) 642-3600	253	21	12.3	76.7%	17 (6.7%)	216 (85.4%)	9 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.0%)	11.3	801^st of 859 public elementary schools	6.8%		13.8	752^nd of 855 public elementary schools	12.0%	49	17.9		6.8			7.6	14.3	14.9	22.7				17.6					$25,001	$2,361	$22,640
Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	3935 Hilton Road	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0636	288	20	14.4	81.9%	0 (0.0%)	268 (93.1%)	18 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	11.5	798^th of 859 public elementary schools	7.1%					(n/a)	18.2						13.6	21.7			9.5	11.9	9.2					$25,974	$2,201	$23,773
Callaway Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	3701 Fernhill Avenue	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0604	219	14	15.6	84.9%	0 (0.0%)	207 (94.5%)	8 (3.7%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	13	767^th of 859 public elementary schools	10.7%		7.7	829^th of 855 public elementary schools	3.0%	62	16.7		8.0			7.8	29.2	7.1	20.0				18.2					$28,756	$2,402	$26,353
Medfield Heights Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	4300 Buchanan Avenue	Baltimore	21211	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6460	451	24	18.7	34.4%	188 (41.7%)	149 (33.0%)	25 (5.5%)	49 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (8.9%)	73.8	209^th of 859 public elementary schools	75.7%		57.9	314^th of 855 public elementary schools	63.3%	105	63.4	41.8	35.7			47.9	78.3	59.7	58.9				66.1			26.3		$18,603	$507	$18,096
Arlington Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3705 W Rogers Avenue	Baltimore	21215	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0567	521	29	17.9	79.3%	1 (0.2%)	384 (73.7%)	125 (24.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.5%)	13.9	746^th of 859 public elementary schools	13.2%		15.9	718^th of 855 public elementary schools	16.0%	28	9.0	7.1	18.2			10.9	18.5	20.3	27.3				21.7					$21,447	$1,787	$19,661
The Mount Washington School	Public	PK, KG-8	1801 Sulgrave Avenue	Baltimore	21209	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6354	545	29	19.1	37.8%	125 (22.9%)	343 (62.9%)	33 (6.1%)	15 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.3%)	53.4	349^th of 859 public elementary schools	59.4%		54.5	337^th of 855 public elementary schools	60.6%	12	37.5	30.4	37.5		5.3	18.3	50.0	42.9	50.0	48.4	52.6	50.6	49.2	14.7		25.0	17.9	$16,244	$254	$15,991
Liberty Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3901 Maine Avenue	Baltimore	21207	Baltimore County	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 396-0571	318	21	15.5	85.5%	1 (0.3%)	298 (93.7%)	16 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	12.4	780^th of 859 public elementary schools	9.2%		13.1	761^st of 855 public elementary schools	11.0%	19	11.6						27.3	24.5	9.1				20.6					$21,431	$2,022	$19,409
Roland Park Elementary/Middle	Public	PK, KG-8	5207 Roland Avenue	Baltimore	21210	Baltimore city	Baltimore City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 396-6420	1,345	67	20.0	33.2%	416 (30.9%)	633 (47.1%)	82 (6.1%)	111 (8.3%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	96 (7.1%)	80.9	158^th of 859 public elementary schools	81.6%		82.4	143^rd of 855 public elementary schools	83.3%	15	54.4	36.7	49.2	41.8	28.1	36.8	64.6	57.0	59.8	74.6	65.5	59.9	64.5	27.2	56.7	36.4	34.4	$15,570	$390	$15,181

Frequently Asked Questions about Park Heights Academy

Is Park Heights Academy a good school?

Park Heights Academy ranks in the bottom 3.1% of Maryland elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Park Heights Academy attend?

Students who attend Park Heights Academy usually go on to attend:

Middle : Booker T. Washington Middle
Middle : Stadium School
Middle : The Crossroads School
Middle : Vanguard Collegiate Middle
High : Academy for College and Career Exploration
High : Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts
High : Baltimore City College
High : Baltimore Design School
High : Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women
High : Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
High : Baltimore School for the Arts
High : Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove
High : Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West
High : Carver Vocational-Technical High
High : City Neighbors High
High : ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School
High : Coppin Academy
High : Digital Harbor High School
High : Edmondson-Westside High
High : Forest Park High
High : Frederick Douglass High
High : Green Street Academy
High : Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High
High : National Academy Foundation
High : Patterson High
High : Paul Laurence Dunbar High
High : Reginald F. Lewis High
High : Renaissance Academy
High : The Reach! Partnership School
High : Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy
High : Western High

What is the racial makeup of Park Heights Academy?

Students at Park Heights Academy are 90% African American, 4% Hispanic, 2% White, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Park Heights Academy?

In the 2023-24 school year, 350 students attended Park Heights Academy.

What district is Park Heights Academy in?

Baltimore City Public Schools

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.