Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Ballenger Creek Middle

Q: Is Ballenger Creek Middle a good school?

Ballenger Creek Middle ranks 99 th of 337 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

99^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 337 Maryland Middle Schools

Better than 71% of Maryland middle schools

Summary

Ballenger Creek Middle is a public middle school in Frederick, Maryland, serving 792 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Frederick County Public Schools district, which is ranked 5 out of 25 in Maryland and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ballenger Creek Middle faces several key challenges. Its performance on MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) tests is generally below the district and state averages, especially in mathematics, where only 23.9% of students were proficient or better, compared to 36.8% for the district and 26.5% for the state. However, the school performs better in MCAP English Language Arts, with 56% of students proficient or better, compared to 63% for the district and 50.8% for the state. Ballenger Creek Middle's performance in MCAP Algebra I is relatively strong, with 51.7% of students proficient or better, compared to 31.1% for the district and 21.4% for the state.

Ballenger Creek Middle also faces challenges with chronic absenteeism, which has increased from 18.9% in 2023-2024 to 25.8% in 2021-2022. The school has a relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 28.35% in 2021-2022 to 35.65% in 2022-2023. When compared to nearby middle schools in the district, such as Windsor Knolls Middle, which had 54% of students proficient or better in MCAP Mathematics, Ballenger Creek Middle's performance is significantly lower.

777

Students ?

16.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,705

Per pupil spending ?

42.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5525 Ballenger Creek Pike
Frederick, MD 21703-7015

(227) 203-2150

District: Frederick County Public Schools

Students who attend Ballenger Creek Middle usually attend:

High:

Tuscarora High

Feeder schools for Ballenger Creek Middle:

Elementary:	Ballenger Creek Elementary
	Carroll Manor Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

35.3%

Hispanic:

26.4%

African American:

22.4%

See top rated Maryland middle schools

Compare Ballenger Creek Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 55th percentile in 2023 → 71st in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 71st (2025) from a 55th-percentile low (2023)

✓Above the Maryland median (71st percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg48%

Maryland avg37%

99^th of 337

Maryland public middle schools ?

Top 29%▼ down 14 pts since 2015

From top 16% (2015) to top 29% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 13Middle Schools in the Frederick County Public Schools

5^th of 25Frederick County Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2025	68.9	99 of 337	70.6%	★★★★☆
2024	56.8	109 of 328	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.3	146 of 322	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.8	115 of 333	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.5	123 of 303	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.8	102 of 316	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	67.3	95 of 328	71.0%	★★★★☆
2017	66.9	97 of 317	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	76.3	65 of 314	79.3%	★★★★☆
2015	79.9	49 of 315	84.4%	★★★★☆
2014	76.0	88 of 339	74.0%	★★★★☆
2013	71.7	93 of 316	70.6%	★★★★☆
2012	81.1	57 of 314	81.8%	★★★★☆
2011	69.7	99 of 309	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	80.1	60 of 324	81.5%	★★★★☆
2009	74.5	81 of 301	73.1%	★★★★☆
2008	80.0	53 of 283	81.3%	★★★★☆
2007	27.2	193 of 264	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	23.5	198 of 254	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	17.4	214 of 255	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	37.9	166 of 252	34.1%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	70.5	50 of 259	80.7%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	46.2	67 of 116	42.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	53.1	125 of 303	58.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	57.9	68 of 207	67.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	63.7	62 of 273	77.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	53.9	119 of 288	58.7%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	29.5	96 of 136	29.4%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	30.5	99 of 120	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	39.1	128 of 210	39.0%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2021)81st percentile+21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)77th percentile+18 vs school

Hispanic (2021)67th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2021)59th percentile~ school

Male (2021)59th percentile~ school

Asian (2021)42nd percentile-17 vs school

White (2021)39th percentile-20 vs school

Multi-racial (2021)29th percentile-30 vs school

Special Education (2021)18th percentile-42 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2024-2025) ?

Social Studies59%+19 vs state

English Language Arts56%+5 vs state

Algebra I52%+30 vs state

Science33%~ state avg

Mathematics24%-3 vs state

4.0

1 rating

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Ballenger Creek Middle

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Ballenger Creek Middle

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MCAP Mathematics (2025)				MCAP English Language Arts (2025)				MCAP Algebra I (2025)	MCAP Geometry (2025)	MCAP Science (2025)	MCAP Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	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 8th Grade	MCAP Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ballenger Creek Middle	Public	6-8	5525 Ballenger Creek Pike	Frederick	21703	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2150	777	48	16.3	42.3%	274 (35.3%)	174 (22.4%)	205 (26.4%)	65 (8.4%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	54 (6.9%)	68.9	99^th of 337 public middle schools	70.6%		56.8	109^th of 328 public middle schools	66.8%	10	23.3	27.5	12.3	23.9	58.4	60.2	50.4	56.0	51.7		32.8	58.6	$16,705	$1,141	$15,564
Crestwood Middle	Public	6-8	7100 Foxcroft Dr	Frederick	21703	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2250	996	66	15.0	67.7%	172 (17.3%)	255 (25.6%)	427 (42.9%)	68 (6.8%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (6.8%)	44.1	178^th of 337 public middle schools	47.2%		40	164^th of 328 public middle schools	50.0%	14	11.5	15.4	11.0	14.0	44.9	42.4	39.3	42.3	39.0		25.4	36.6	$17,429	$1,019	$16,410
West Frederick Middle	Public	6-8	515 W Patrick St	Frederick	21701	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2700	820	56	14.7	64.5%	203 (24.8%)	212 (25.9%)	305 (37.2%)	33 (4.0%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (7.6%)	50.1	153^rd of 337 public middle schools	54.6%		42.3	156^th of 328 public middle schools	52.4%	3	17.3	18.7	12.4	19.4	46.4	46.8	45.7	46.3	82.9		26.4	32.4	$18,174	$1,548	$16,626
Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle	Public	6-8	1799 Schifferstadt Blvd	Frederick	21701	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2550	573	37	15.4	45.2%	231 (40.3%)	113 (19.7%)	142 (24.8%)	35 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	50 (8.7%)	73.1	84^th of 337 public middle schools	75.1%		52.6	125^th of 328 public middle schools	61.9%	41	33.7	20.3	24.8	29.6	61.3	57.2	54.5	57.8	73.5		43.4	41.3	$22,644	$1,184	$21,460
Monocacy Middle	Public	6-8	8009 Opossumtown Pike	Frederick	21702	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2350	710	55	13.0	56.5%	194 (27.3%)	181 (25.5%)	245 (34.5%)	31 (4.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	56 (7.9%)	49.8	155^th of 337 public middle schools	54.0%		37.5	174^th of 328 public middle schools	47.0%	19	17.9	22.7	4.1	18.5	47.3	57.1	43.9	49.2	58.8		24.1	33.2	$16,931	$1,481	$15,450
Middletown Middle	Public	6-8	100 Martha Mason St	Middletown	21769	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2300	784	43	18.2	19.9%	619 (79.0%)	18 (2.3%)	83 (10.6%)	10 (1.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (6.5%)	86.9	43^rd of 337 public middle schools	87.2%		82	48^th of 328 public middle schools	85.4%	5	34.5	40.7	16.2	38.3	77.3	70.0	71.1	72.8	69.0		49.6	52.9	$16,490	$873	$15,617
Oakdale Middle	Public	6-8	5810 Oakdale School Road	Ijamsville	21754	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2450	1,085	61	17.7	15.8%	627 (57.8%)	125 (11.5%)	110 (10.1%)	164 (15.1%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	52 (4.8%)	92.1	23^rd of 337 public middle schools	93.2%		90.7	23^rd of 328 public middle schools	93.0%		39.7	46.9	34.8	47.5	70.7	71.2	75.8	72.6	89.1		58.4	61.9	$14,663	$756	$13,907
Urbana Middle	Public	6-8	3511 Pontius Ct	Ijamsville	21754	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2600	1,090	62	17.5	16.4%	435 (39.9%)	130 (11.9%)	149 (13.7%)	271 (24.9%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	100 (9.2%)	97	5^th of 337 public middle schools	98.5%		96.6	4^th of 328 public middle schools	98.8%	1	51.5	53.3	40.6	59.2	81.1	85.7	79.8	82.2	97.8	94.0	63.1	73.0	$13,160	$754	$12,405
Walkersville Middle	Public	6-8	55 W Frederick Street	Walkersville	21793	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2650	779	49	16.0	41.6%	468 (60.1%)	116 (14.9%)	107 (13.7%)	25 (3.2%)	7 (0.9%)	3 (0.4%)	53 (6.8%)	81.9	56^th of 337 public middle schools	83.4%		76.6	62^nd of 328 public middle schools	81.1%	6	31.4	30.3	30.9	35.5	65.9	65.7	65.8	65.8			39.0	53.6	$15,638	$734	$14,904
New Market Middle	Public	6-8	125 W Main St	New Market	21774	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-2400	676	40	17.1	17.9%	508 (75.1%)	24 (3.6%)	74 (10.9%)	23 (3.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.5%)	79.5	62^nd of 337 public middle schools	81.6%		81.4	49^th of 328 public middle schools	85.1%	13	40.3	28.9	17.7	36.1	66.8	69.5	58.5	65.0	59.3		42.0	43.2	$17,341	$840	$16,501

Frequently Asked Questions about Ballenger Creek Middle

How many students attend Ballenger Creek Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 777 students attended Ballenger Creek Middle.

Is Ballenger Creek Middle a good school?

Ballenger Creek Middle ranks 99^th of 337 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Ballenger Creek Middle attend?

Students who attend Ballenger Creek Middle usually go on to attend Tuscarora High

What district is Ballenger Creek Middle in?

Frederick County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Ballenger Creek Middle?

Students at Ballenger Creek Middle are 35% White, 26% Hispanic, 22% African American, 8% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

Rate Ballenger Creek Middle!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MDMaryland Middle School Rankings

MDMaryland District Rankings

Schools in Frederick, MD

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Ballenger Creek Middle!

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.