The main block of the school is constructed in the Classical Revival Style. The exterior is of brick laid in Flemish bond except for later brick infill which is laid in running bond. Characteristic of this style, the school as originally constructed was wholly symmetrical, consisted of a central projecting bay flanked by two wings.
The central bay of the main facade consists of a stone entrance loggia flanked on each side by a single bay tower. The central stone loggia has triple arches and Ionic order columns leading to the front entrance doors. All original doors and transom windows within this entrance area have been recently replaced and original windows on each side of the entrance bricked in.
Above the loggia is a stone balustrade. The second and third stories above the loggia originally had bands of five double-hung windows with brick pilasters separating each window. These bands of windows have been removed and bricked in with only the openings at the end of each original band of windows being replaced with modem aluminum sash windows having a large single light over a smaller square light.
The John Ruhrah Elementary School No. 228 is not known to be associated with an individual who is historically significant in a local, state, or national context. Although it is named for Dr. John Ruhrah, he had no personal association with the building. Other sites within Baltimore exist that have a much stronger connection to Dr. Ruhrah including the Algonquin Apartment building at 11 E. Chase Street, where he had both an apartment and an office for more than 25 years.