Summary:
The city of Lavale, Maryland, is served by two high-performing public elementary schools, Cash Valley Elementary and Parkside Elementary, both part of the Allegany County Public Schools district, which holds a 3-star rating.
These two schools offer distinct academic strengths. Cash Valley Elementary is a math powerhouse, achieving a 57% math proficiency rate in the 2025-2026 school year—more than double the district and state averages. Its 5th-grade math score of 65.8% is particularly impressive. In contrast, Parkside Elementary excels in English Language Arts (62.1% proficiency) and 5th-grade Science (44.7% proficiency). Both schools earned 4-star ratings, outperforming their district's 3-star average. However, a key differentiator is chronic absenteeism: Parkside's rate is 19.5%, significantly lower than Cash Valley's 29.9%, which likely impacts overall learning consistency. Interestingly, Cash Valley spends over $5,500 more per student ($25,419 vs. $19,913) yet has a lower state rank, suggesting that higher spending does not automatically guarantee better outcomes.
Both schools are strong educational choices within Allegany County, but their trajectories are shifting. Parkside Elementary has seen its state rank drop from the 86th percentile to the 71st percentile over the past two years, while Cash Valley Elementary has risen from the 68th to the 74th percentile. For parents, this means Cash Valley is an emerging leader in math with room to improve attendance, while Parkside offers a more balanced, consistent program with lower absenteeism. Both schools provide a solid foundation, exceeding state averages in core subjects.
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