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Thunder Hill Elementary

Summary:

Thunder Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, Maryland, serving students from kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Howard County Public Schools district, which is ranked 2nd out of 25 districts in Maryland.

Thunder Hill Elementary has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 22.46% White, 39.41% African American, 15.68% Hispanic, 14.83% Asian, and 7.2% two or more races. The school's overall academic performance in MCAP tests is slightly below the district and state averages, with 38.6% of students proficient or better in Mathematics and 50.4% proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA). However, the school's performance varies across grade levels, with 3rd and 4th grades performing better than 5th grade. Compared to nearby schools like Northfield Elementary, Worthington Elementary, and Waterloo Elementary, Thunder Hill Elementary's performance is generally lower.

One notable strength of Thunder Hill Elementary is the exceptional performance of Hispanic students, who rank 5th out of 347 Maryland elementary schools in ELA. However, the school's performance for low socioeconomic status (SES) students is concerning, ranking 536th out of 546 Maryland elementary schools. Additionally, the school's overall academic performance has declined over the past few years, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and strategies to improve student learning and achievement.


Detail:

Public K-5

 9357 Mellenbrook Rd
       Columbia, MD  21045-1838

(410) 313-6922

District: Howard County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
317th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,466 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  12.2 Help
Number of students:  454

Racial breakdown:

African American:
33.3%
White:
22.5%
Hispanic:
18.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  34.1% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Thunder Hill Elementary ranks better than 63.1% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks 26th among 42 ranked elementary schools in the Howard County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.23. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Student population at Thunder Hill Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (33.3%), White (22.5%), Hispanic (18.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 34.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Thunder Hill Elementary is 12.2, which is the 18th best among 42 elementary schools in the Howard County Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Thunder Hill Elementary employs 37.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Thunder Hill Elementary is $19,466, which is the 11th highest among 42 elementary schools in the Howard County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Thunder Hill Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Howard County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Howard County Public Schools 2nd of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Thunder Hill Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 2.50 780th 803 2.9%
2005 1.68 792nd 805 1.6%
2006 2.12 791st 804 1.6%
2007 2.18 803rd 818 1.8%
2008 82.81 95th 838 88.7%
2009 84.11 71st 850 91.6%
2010 87.37 21st 855 97.5%
2011 86.68 30th 853 96.5%
2012 79.58 122nd 857 85.8%
2013 83.43 76th 847 91.0%
2014 71.57 264th 867 69.6%
2015 79.80 170th 859 80.2%
2016 80.74 168th 845 80.1%
2017 80.29 172nd 847 79.7%
2018 81.35 159th 857 81.4%
2019 76.98 202nd 853 76.3%
2021 56.39 246th 802 69.3%
2022 52.11 384th 862 55.5%
2023 58.66 308th 855 64.0%
2024 58.23 317th 859 63.1%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.08 536th 546 1.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 60.39 210th 796 73.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 46.57 312th 788 60.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 34.69 92nd 128 28.1%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 40.77 271st 504 46.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 80.43 30th 347 91.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Thunder Hill Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 56.03 197th 528 62.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Thunder Hill Elementary Test Scores
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, March 1, 2012

Open Quote My daughter is in Kindergarten. I'm really pleased with the teachers. They did a wonderful job to help her go through the first couple months. Before K, my daughter only went to half-day preschool, so it was a big transition. And I didn't teach her anything academically, so when I observe that she acquires more and more knowledge, I am really happy. The curriculum is also designed well. First half year is more relaxed and now the second half I can see enhanced homework requirements, more sentences and number writing. I can feel the school engine speeds up to get my daughter ready for first grade.

The school has hosted 2 parent-teacher conferences so far. Loved the opportunities to meet with teachers in person to discuss my daughter's learning habit, progress and interest. The lead teacher provided great insight on reading and math. Art, music and PE teachers are all very helpful. Obviously all teachers I met love working with kids. It is great comfort to know my daughter is in their hands everyday.

The school also has a great playground that my daughter visit since she's 1, so she didn't feel it was a scary place first day.

Overall great experience. Can't wait to see what my daughter can achieve in next school year. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Thunder Hill Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 339 33 20 3 5 n/a n/a 0 400
1990 360 32 29 4 0 n/a n/a 0 425
1991 349 31 29 2 2 n/a n/a 0 413
1992 371 39 33 3 2 n/a n/a 0 448
1993 358 41 36 3 2 n/a n/a 0 440
1994 361 37 38 1 2 n/a n/a 0 439
1995 336 40 42 4 1 n/a n/a 0 423
1996 336 40 42 4 1 n/a n/a 0 423
1997 320 42 49 2 1 n/a n/a 0 414
1998 303 47 57 2 0 n/a n/a 0 409
1999 292 57 50 2 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2000 291 67 45 4 1 n/a n/a 0 408
2001 283 65 42 3 1 n/a n/a 0 394
2002 253 61 53 5 1 n/a n/a 0 373
2003 253 61 53 5 1 n/a n/a 0 373
2004 267 56 50 9 1 n/a n/a 0 383
2005 234 49 51 5 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2006 215 43 55 6 0 n/a n/a 0 319
2007 215 41 55 6 0 n/a n/a 0 317
2008 233 40 66 5 0 n/a n/a 0 344
2009 241 42 62 11 0 n/a n/a 0 356
2010 230 49 53 17 0 n/a n/a 0 349
2011 209 52 50 30 0 0 29 0 370
2012 206 61 58 30 0 0 27 0 382
2013 228 67 63 36 0 0 27 0 421
2014 213 115 59 40 1 2 40 0 470
2015 224 137 67 52 1 3 44 0 528
2016 238 133 87 51 1 3 46 0 559
2017 222 139 97 49 2 3 46 0 558
2018 212 134 107 46 3 2 40 0 544
2019 190 146 95 42 2 1 50 0 526
2020 158 134 93 49 1 1 39 0 475
2021 118 162 89 81 2 0 29 0 481
2022 107 182 75 83 2 0 36 0 485
2023 106 186 70 74 0 2 34 0 472
2024 102 151 75 84 0 2 40 0 454

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 Thunder Hill Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 400 16.5 24.2 n/a
1990 425 22.5 18.8 0.5
1991 413 24.0 17.2 0.5
1992 448 27.0 16.5 1.8
1993 440 26.5 16.6 1.8
1994 439 26.5 16.6 2.1
1995 423 28.5 14.8 1.4
1996 423 28.5 14.8 1.4
1997 414 28.0 14.8 2.7
1998 409 26.0 15.7 2.4
1999 401 26.0 15.4 2
2000 408 26.5 15.4 3.2
2001 394 27.0 14.6 2.3
2002 373 27.5 13.6 3.5
2003 373 27.5 13.6 3.5
2004 383 28.0 13.7 4.2
2005 339 26.0 13.0 2.9
2006 319 27.0 11.8 5
2007 317 24.0 13.2 3.8
2008 344 27.0 12.7 3.2
2009 356 28.0 12.7 5.1
2010 349 27.0 12.9 5.7
2011 370 27.0 13.7 6.2
2012 382 29.0 13.1 6.5
2013 421 29.0 14.5 8.3
2014 470 35.0 13.4 21.1
2015 528 37.0 14.2 20.6
2016 559 43.0 13.0 18.4
2017 558 41.0 13.6 16.7
2018 544 40.0 13.6 15.6
2019 526 46.8 11.2 18.4
2020 475 39.0 12.1 18.1
2021 481 38.7 12.4 24.5
2022 485 37.7 12.8 30.3
2023 472 37.3 12.6 39.8
2024 454 37.1 12.2 34.1

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 Thunder Hill Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 400 16.5 24.2 n/a
1990 425 22.5 18.8 0.5
1991 413 24.0 17.2 0.5
1992 448 27.0 16.5 1.8
1993 440 26.5 16.6 1.8
1994 439 26.5 16.6 2.1
1995 423 28.5 14.8 1.4
1996 423 28.5 14.8 1.4
1997 414 28.0 14.8 2.7
1998 409 26.0 15.7 2.4
1999 401 26.0 15.4 2
2000 408 26.5 15.4 3.2
2001 394 27.0 14.6 2.3
2002 373 27.5 13.6 3.5
2003 373 27.5 13.6 3.5
2004 383 28.0 13.7 4.2
2005 339 26.0 13.0 2.9
2006 319 27.0 11.8 5
2007 317 24.0 13.2 3.8
2008 344 27.0 12.7 3.2
2009 356 28.0 12.7 5.1
2010 349 27.0 12.9 5.7
2011 370 27.0 13.7 6.2
2012 382 29.0 13.1 6.5
2013 421 29.0 14.5 8.3
2014 470 35.0 13.4 21.1
2015 528 37.0 14.2 20.6
2016 559 43.0 13.0 18.4
2017 558 41.0 13.6 16.7
2018 544 40.0 13.6 15.6
2019 526 46.8 11.2 18.4
2020 475 39.0 12.1 18.1
2021 481 38.7 12.4 24.5
2022 485 37.7 12.8 30.3
2023 472 37.3 12.6 39.8
2024 454 37.1 12.2 34.1

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 Thunder Hill Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $494 (3.3%) $14,320 (96.7%) $14,815
2020 $497 (2.9%) $16,495 (97.1%) $16,992
2021 $870 (5.0%) $16,594 (95.0%) $17,465
2022 $1,000 (5.5%) $17,215 (94.5%) $18,215
2023 $985 (5.1%) $18,481 (94.9%) $19,466

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Thunder Hill Elementary

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 202nd of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 308th of 855 Elementary schools
 12.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students526472
 10.3%
African American146186
 27.4%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian9570
 26.3%
Hispanic4274
 76.2%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White190106
 44.2%
Two or More Races5034
 32%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients18.4%39.8%
 21.4%

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Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder Hill Elementary

Students at Thunder Hill Elementary are 33% African American, 22% White, 19% Hispanic, 17% Asian, 9% Two or more races.

Thunder Hill Elementary ranks 317th of 859 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 454 students attended Thunder Hill Elementary.


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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.




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