West Friendship Elementary

12500 Frederick Road
West Friendship, MD 21794

wfes.hcpss.org

367 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

West Friendship Elementary School, located in the rural community of West Friendship, Maryland, is a proud member of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). Serving a student population that blends the area’s historic agricultural roots with suburban development, the school is well-regarded for its strong sense of community and commitment to academic excellence. Its location on Frederick Road serves as a central hub for families in the western part of Howard County, fostering a supportive environment that emphasizes both student achievement and character development.

The school is characterized by a dedicated faculty and an active parent-teacher association that works to provide a well-rounded educational experience. Beyond the core curriculum, West Friendship Elementary places a significant focus on inclusive learning, innovative instructional strategies, and leveraging technology to prepare students for future success. By maintaining small-school warmth while adhering to the high standards of the broader Howard County school district, West Friendship creates a nurturing space that prioritizes student well-being and collaborative learning.

367

Total Students

28.3

Full-Time Teachers

13.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

8.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for West Friendship Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	215
Hispanic	27
Black	24
Asian	78
Two or More	21
Pacific Islander	1

White
215 (58.7%)
Asian
78 (21.3%)
Hispanic
27 (7.4%)
Black
24 (6.6%)
Two or More
21 (5.7%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Howard County Public Schools
Phone:	(410)313-5512
Website:	http://wfes.hcpss.org
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	367
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	28.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	25
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	5

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 56

Grade 1 54

Grade 2 52

Grade 3 67

Grade 4 75

Grade 5 63

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for West Friendship Elementary
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	56
Grade 1	54
Grade 2	52
Grade 3	67
Grade 4	75
Grade 5	63

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for West Friendship Elementary
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	204	55.6%
Male	162	44.1%
Not Specified	1	0.3%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)