Best Public Schools in Cascade, MD

Cascade, Maryland, is home to a single public school, Cascade Elementary, a small rural school serving grades PK through 5 with 137 students as part of the Washington County Public Schools district.

Cascade Elementary presents a complex picture for parents. The school spends a very high $19,965 per student, yet its academic performance is below the district average in both Math (27.3% proficient vs. 29.3%) and English Language Arts (37.9% proficient vs. 55%). Its state ranking has also declined over the past three years, falling from the 59th percentile to the 43rd percentile. A notable bright spot is chronic absenteeism, which at 24.6% is better than the district's 29.0% rate, suggesting attendance is not the primary driver of the academic struggles. However, the school serves a majority low-income population, with 60.58% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Key academic trends show a dramatic collapse in Math proficiency, which dropped from 32.8% to 27.3% in one year, and a persistent, large gap in ELA performance that is roughly 15-17 points below the district average. Performance also declines as students progress through grades; for example, Math proficiency falls from 38.1% in 3rd grade to just 20% in 5th grade. This suggests the school may struggle to build on foundational skills, and the high spending per student does not appear to be translating into improved outcomes, raising important questions for parents about instructional quality and curriculum alignment.