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Lake Elkhorn Middle School

Columbia, MD 21045

Phone: (410) 313-7600
District: Howard County Public Schools

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GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades 6,7,8 • 558 students

Lake Elkhorn Middle School, a public school located in Columbia, MD, serves grades 6-8 in the Howard County Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Lake Elkhorn Middle School is a public school located in Columbia, MD. 558 students attend Lake Elkhorn Middle School.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program End-Of-Course data from Maryland State Department of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student Growth - Elementary Level data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Student Growth - Middle Level data from Maryland State Department of Education.

Posted: May 17, 2026

When considering a school it's important to remember that an productive and effective educational experience for a student is a community effort and requires a strong partnership between school teachers, staff and parents. Entering Middle School is one of the most challenging times for a child. The lessons and skills they learn during these formative years will inform a lot of their educational futures. Not every teacher will make an immediate connection with your student. But every teacher has something your child needs to learn. At LEMS I have found genuinely caring and committed educators and staff. We are a community school which means that parents, staff, students and community partners contribute to the goals, experiences, opportunities and education of LEMS students. The school partners with the East Branch Library, the Owen Brown Community Association and many others to address needs, carry out events and provide engaging events for students. The school has a very strong after school program, which includes theater, art and will soon launch sports. LEMS also has a strong Gifted and Talented program which includes GT core courses and seminars. A newly inaugurated Young Leaders Advisory Board (YLAB) offers students an opportunity to gain leadership skills, contribute to and advance school goals, lead events and communicate the perspectives of the student body. LEMS is striving, growing and full of talented and dedicated students, educators, staff, parents and community partners.

Posted: May 17, 2026

Posted: May 13, 2026

My two children attended Cradlerock School and Lake Elkhorn Middle and grew with an appreciation for diversity and community. They are now college graduates and thriving. It truly is a wonderful place to grow and nurture your children.

Posted: May 13, 2026

Posted: March 5, 2026

My experience at this school was horrible.

Posted: March 5, 2026

Posted: July 19, 2025

I moved because of Lake Elkhorn. The students are rude and someone once told me that the students get into a fight almost every single day. The bathrooms were disgusting and smelled really bad, and the teachers were really weird. I heard that some of them were acting weird around some girl students or something. The hallways are really cramped, the hygiene is bad, and the fact that I didn't know anything I was learning when I moved to my new school because the teachers at Lake Elkhorn taught too slow is really bad. I might not even end up in G/T next year because I didn't know anything this year. One of my former friends, a furry, which is a thing that dresses up as an animal, is really weird. It makes me uncomfortable. My other ex-friend is a fox therian, which is another thing that thinks they are an animal, not just dresses up as one. The therian one cut her nails with a scissor at school so it would be jagged so she can scratch people. She was speaking LOUDLY that she was a therian. One time in PE, she jumped over hurdles like a freaking animal. When she landed back on her hands and feet after jumping the hurdle, her hands actually sounded like fox paws. Help me. I had too many furry/therian friends. I feel bad for the people who are in Lake Elkhorn. :)

Posted: July 19, 2025

Posted: March 5, 2025

I'm a Current student at Lems and there has not really been any safety protocols and there are to many fights and people are getting hurt because they are getting jumped or just fighting in general and we have the same food every school year and is really nasty while they eat better things in this school and to me they need to step there game up

Posted: March 5, 2025

Posted: March 4, 2025

The school has many fights every week (at least 3), the teachers don't really care about students learning, and bullying is EXTREMELY common.

Posted: February 24, 2025

**School Review for Lake Elkhorn Middle School**

Our experience at Lake Elkhorn Middle School has been a good one. Like many students, my child has faced the typical challenges of middle school, from navigating social dynamics to adjusting to increased academic demands. However, the school has provided a supportive environment that has helped her manage these hurdles effectively.

She has particularly excelled in the Gifted and Talented programs, which have offered her the opportunity to stretch her abilities and engage deeply with the material. Additionally, she enjoys the after-school programs, including Student Body Government, Yearbook, and the art program. These activities have allowed her to build connections, develop leadership skills, and explore her creativity.

While no school is perfect, the principal has made a positive impact by creating a safe space for all students to learn and encouraging them to advocate for themselves. This focus on responsibility and self-advocacy is essential as they prepare for high school.

Overall, Lake Elkhorn Middle School has been a good choice for us, providing a good balance of academic rigor and personal growth amidst the challenges of this transitional time.

Posted: February 24, 2025

Posted: January 3, 2025

As a seventh grader here, I truly do not think others should come here. The only positives are a select group of activities and teachers, as well as being in GT classes. Certain teachers will allow you to grow, and teach you in a way that you can improve greatly. Others either give you a packet and make you figure it out yourself, or give you a canvas module without any information yet whenever you ask a question, they will insist all of the needed information is there. The situation in the hallways is terrible, with people bumping into each other, causing fights to occur at least once every 2 days. These fights will also cause more blockage in the hallway, making innocent people late, and getting them in trouble. Also, the fights take 20 minutes to end, just because the admins and teachers are scared to interfere, mainly due to the injuries teachers have gotten in the past from stopping fights, like broken noses and arms. The seminars are usually great, unless you are with other bad students. I personally have had a great history with seminars in the past, as well as the school musical. The directors of this are amazing, and are some of the only teachers in the school trying to get you to learn. The band program is normally great, except when the kids who just join band to get a free period stress the teacher out so much to the point where he will go through a whole class without talking to us, because of the period before us. Also, there are some teachers who kids like, but only because they just spend the whole class talking, instead of actually teaching. Plus, the school is very underfunded due to low test scores from students not caring, so the environment is usually very dirty, and there is often some sickness going around. The teachers try to do "theme nights" which tell kids they will be playing games, but when they go, they end up getting told about some random stuff about the theme (Math, Reading, etc.) that they did not come to listen to. Also, due to the funding, we often run out of materials like pencils, paper, and glue. The computer system is also terrible, because even if someone else breaks your computer, you're held responsible and have to pay. There are also rarely enough loaner computers for students who were given broken computers from the start. To end off on a positive note, our advanced (GT) teachers are actually great, especially the Algebra and 8th grade geography teachers. However, it's so bad I would NOT recommend it. 1/3/2024

Posted: December 5, 2024

I am the parent of a current 8th grader at LEMS. My student has had a wonderful experience over the past three years! She has participated in many exciting enrichment opportunities including debate team, yearbook club, SGA, yearly musical, band, creative writing seminars, and photojournalism. These are only a few of the many enriching opportunities provided at LEMS. In addition, we have engaged with many caring staff members that have invested in my daughter's success and well-being during the tricky time that is middle school. As with the nature of middle school, there are discipline issues that seem to be consistently addressed, and while the administrative team has changed each year, the principal has been at the school for three years. As a family we have enjoyed getting to know the principal, and when I have had any concerns he has been responsive and open to supporting our needs. Our family participates in the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), and we have found it to be a wonder, engaging group that is dedicated to supporting the school. The current PTSA President is an amazing community representative who works hard to bridge a connection between families and the school. We look forward to our younger child attending LEMS in a few years.

Posted: December 5, 2024

Posted: December 4, 2024

I think a 5 star review is practically impossible as there are too many factors to consider with learning, teaching, Social-emotional support, special ed, safety, etc.; however, I think that LEMS is doing everything they can to address these. My daughter has had the typical struggles expected of a MS student. The school has done a lot to make her feel safe and she has many positive relationships with her teachers and other staff. She absolutely loves her teachers this year and has many opportunities to participate in seminars, school plays, clubs, etc. LEMS may not be perfect but they do so much that nobody gives them credit for.

Posted: December 4, 2024

Posted: September 12, 2024

I have a 7th grader there and he is super happy with the program and staff and teachers. The principal and administrators are super nice and lovely and respectful. I am so glad we bought a house here

Posted: September 12, 2024

Posted: October 19, 2023

As an 8th grader who has been here since 6th grade, this school is terrible. There are a few good teachers that will help you and will make sure you succeed while getting an education without straight up giving answers, and give you a chance to participate. But for the majority of teachers, they only care to go over things once to get the unit over with and will love to get you in trouble at home and in school. Most of these teachers are the same ones who beg you to ask questions, but when you do they make you feel stupid by saying stuff like an elementary schooler knows this or they directly get angry with you. Admin do not stop fights, the teachers do. Did I mention that out of every fight there has been so far at least 1 were with special needs kids and only 1 person has been suspended TOTAL? We also have an outdated behavioral reward system that is barely in effect anymore. One of the counselors will call your parents even if you specifically say not to, despite the fact that they only are allowed to do so when given permission and when someones safety is in danger. Theres constant fights and drama, teachers get cussed out or cuss out students for no real reason, terrible environment, etc. The admin are so useless now honestly I wouldnt be surprised if a student only got ISS (in school suspension) for 1 day for literal assault on a teacher/adult, Ive seen this happen before as well. Honestly, the teachers who try to make a change are amazing at not only teaching, but being a counselor too. They give educational advice and emotional support.

Posted: October 19, 2023

Posted: January 8, 2023

i would rate this school zero stars if i could i am in 7th grade the admins are useless i get into fights weekly and have no friends the teachers dont care they dont care about your mental health or safety they only care about the money!

Posted: January 8, 2023

Posted: December 20, 2022

I am currently in this school and it sucks. The teachers would not care if you were depressed. There are fights every day and NOBODY does ANYTHING about them. The hallway system is bananas and no one even uses the "efficient" one-way hallways the correct way. They might as well just remove it. If you are a parent and your child is going to this school, make sure they DON'T.

Posted: December 20, 2022

Posted: February 24, 2021

Was harassed by teachers and students admin was useless. Don't send your kid here unless you're ready to pay for therapy

Posted: February 24, 2021

Posted: February 21, 2019

LEMS could do a better job assisting students with IEPs. They tend to be reactive instead of proactive.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Good amount sent home on a regular basis.

Posted: June 13, 2018

My child likes their teachers and staff.

Posted: June 13, 2018

Work hard on this to help the kids

Posted: June 13, 2018

It is changing though, new APs are coming

Posted: June 13, 2018

I have not seen enough to say

Posted: June 13, 2018

No experience with bullying to speak of

Posted: June 13, 2018

Good experience overall. Some things to work on.

Posted: May 29, 2018

My daughter has been bullied since the beginning of 2017. DAILY!!!

Posted: May 29, 2018

Theyre allowing my child to be bullied and doing nothing

Posted: May 29, 2018

THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER! This school is just as bad as Baltimore City schools

Posted: May 12, 2018

I wish I never come here and its so bad I fell like crying when I wake up on a week day.

Posted: May 12, 2018

Homework is homework. Its not to bad tp me.

Posted: May 12, 2018

99% of the time teachers sit back and watch people cuss.

Posted: May 12, 2018

The kids dont listen and show NONE of this.

Posted: May 12, 2018

Sometimes I fell like the kids are the leaders at this school.

Posted: May 12, 2018

Kids with learning disabilities mostly just get ignored. They also have assistance at all times.

Posted: May 12, 2018

I get bullied all the time and the teachers just watch.

Posted: April 28, 2017

My kids go here and they can't wait to leave.
School is full of kids with bad attitudes and no respect for staff or students. They cuss at teachers and each other with no repercussions. Reverse racism is rampant and the staff does nothing about it. It's obvious most students come from families that don't or can't control there kids behavior. Don't send your children here if at all possible. Unless they fit into that thug profile they will be miserable.

Posted: March 6, 2017

My child is an 8th grader at Lake Elkhorn. During her first year she told me that she felt unsafe at times. There were a lot of fights and disruption in the halls. She has been in all GT classes the last 2 years and things have gotten a lot better for her. there are good days and bad days for her but overall she has had a good experience. There are some really good teachers there and the counselors have been really helpful. I've only had to come to the school a couple times when another student hit my child and once when my kid had an issue with one of her teachers. The school handled both situations immediately and made sure to follow up with me and my husband. The counselor even emailed me to give me updates and so did the teacher.

Posted: February 24, 2017

My child had such a poor experience that he had to transfer. The main problem was the constant disruption from some of the students. Para- educators (bouncers) frequently took misbehaving kids in and out of the classroom and it was nearly impossible for students who wanted to learn to focus on the lesson. Bullying was also a problem, for which forms were filled out and lip service given by admin, but no real changes made. My child is having a MUCH better experience at another HoCo school, fortunately. Hard to believe schools within the same district can be so vastly different.

Posted: December 8, 2016

I did not feel save from my experience. Some teachers are very kind and nice, but others slack off and don't care about the students. The principle has blamed kids for their own problems. Which is not something a leader should do. The whole school overall is terrible.

Posted: December 8, 2016

Bullying is a HUGE problem there. That is the source of my depression.

Posted: December 8, 2016

They are looked down upon at lems.

Posted: December 8, 2016

The principle shows no leadership at all.

Posted: December 8, 2016

Posted: August 29, 2016

My daughter feels that she doesn't get help when she asks. I have had mixed experiences. Some of the teachers can be very effective.

Posted: August 29, 2016

There are times when my daughter has downtime to study but then there are times when she's up til 10:30pm doing homework.

Posted: August 29, 2016

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Lake Elkhorn Middle School

Columbia, MD 21045

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