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Cascade Elementary

Q: Is Cascade Elementary a good school?

Cascade Elementary ranks 493 rd of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

493^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 43% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Cascade Elementary is a small, rural school in Cascade, MD, serving 137 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the Washington County Public Schools district.

While Cascade Elementary spends significantly more per student ($19,965) than nearby peers like Potomac Heights Elementary ($14,275) and Smithsburg Elementary ($14,534), its academic performance has been declining. The school's state ranking dropped from the 52nd percentile to the 43rd percentile over recent years, even as spending increased. A key concern is English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, where only 37.9% of students met standards—well below the district average of 55% and the state average of 51.7%. This weakness is consistent across all grade levels. On a positive note, math scores have been competitive, often matching or exceeding state averages, suggesting effective math instruction that could potentially be applied to improve ELA outcomes.

Chronic absenteeism is another challenge, rising sharply from 13.5% two years ago to 24.6% currently. While this is below the district average of 29.0%, it is much higher than nearby schools like Old Forge Elementary (12.5%) and Smithsburg Elementary (13.5%). Interestingly, the school's small size does not translate into academic advantages compared to other small schools in the neighboring Frederick County Public Schools district, such as Wolfsville Elementary (91st percentile) and Emmitsburg Elementary (77th percentile). This suggests that some challenges may be systemic to the Washington County district. The school's leadership may need to evaluate how its high per-pupil spending is being used to address the ELA deficit and curb absenteeism.

137

Students ?

19.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,965

Per pupil spending ?

60.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

14519 Pennersville Rd
Cascade, MD 21719-1802

(301) 766-8066

District: Washington County Public Schools

Students who attend Cascade Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Smithsburg Middle
High:	Smithsburg High

Racial breakdown:

White:

78.8%

Hispanic:

8.8%

Two or more races:

8.8%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

Compare Cascade Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 64th percentile in 2016 → 43rd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (33% vs 39% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 21 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg41%

Maryland avg39%

493^rd of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▼ down 21 pts since 2016

From top 36% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 24Elementary Schools in the Washington County Public Schools

10^th of 25Washington 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
2026	38.6	493 of 864	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	39.5	486 of 865	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.8	354 of 859	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.6	359 of 855	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.8	413 of 862	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.2	292 of 802	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	46.4	415 of 853	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.3	399 of 857	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	44.8	429 of 847	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	62.0	302 of 845	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	59.9	323 of 859	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2014	77.0	195 of 867	77.5%	★★★★☆
2013	62.8	335 of 847	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.9	434 of 857	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	53.8	445 of 853	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.2	427 of 855	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	72.7	244 of 850	71.3%	★★★★☆
2008	54.9	430 of 838	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	48.6	466 of 818	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	58.0	369 of 804	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2005	36.4	565 of 805	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2004	61.0	368 of 803	54.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	49.8	278 of 788	64.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	22.4	405 of 528	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Male (2021)65th percentile~ school

White (2021)23rd percentile-40 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts38%-14 vs state

Science32%~ state avg

Mathematics27%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Cascade Elementary

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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 (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)							MCAP English Language Arts (2026)							MCAP Science (2026)		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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	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 Science 5th Grade	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cascade Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	14519 Pennersville Rd	Cascade	21719	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 766-8066	137	7	19.2	60.6%	108 (78.8%)	3 (2.2%)	12 (8.8%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	12 (8.8%)	38.6	493^rd of 864 public elementary schools	42.9%		39.5	486^th of 865 public elementary schools	43.8%	7	38.1	25.0	20.0				27.3	42.9	35.0	36.0				37.9	32.0		$19,965	$1,232	$18,733
Sabillasville Environmental School	Public, Charter	K-8	16210-B Sabillasville Rd	Sabillasville	21780	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	Yes	No	No	No	(227) 203-1360	196	13	14.8	34.7%	177 (90.3%)	4 (2.0%)	6 (3.1%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.1%)	51.6	401^st of 864 public elementary schools	53.6%		54	376^th of 865 public elementary schools	56.5%	25	42.9	18.2	33.3	31.8	16.7	0.0	25.2	47.6	22.7	45.8	63.6	41.7	50.0	45.5	33.3	22.7	$18,554	$1,385	$17,169
Smithsburg Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	67 N Main St	Smithsburg	21783	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 766-8329	362	22	16.7	42.8%	284 (78.5%)	16 (4.4%)	39 (10.8%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.0%)	54.6	368^th of 864 public elementary schools	57.4%		59.5	339^th of 865 public elementary schools	60.8%	29	37.5	38.3	30.5				35.4	48.2	45.0	45.8				46.3	43.1		$14,534	$795	$13,740
Old Forge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	21615 Old Forge Rd	Hagerstown	21742	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 766-8273	354	23	15.3	41.5%	291 (82.2%)	8 (2.3%)	35 (9.9%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.2%)	66.3	282^nd of 864 public elementary schools	67.4%		73.8	223^rd of 865 public elementary schools	74.2%	59	38.6	41.2	44.8				41.6	56.1	41.2	65.5				54.8	46.6		$15,338	$842	$14,496
Thurmont Elementary	Public	3-5	805 E Main St	Thurmont	21788	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-1300	283	22	12.6	55.1%	228 (80.6%)	5 (1.8%)	37 (13.1%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.9%)	60.6	320^th of 864 public elementary schools	63.0%		57	354^th of 865 public elementary schools	59.1%	34	55.0	33.3	31.1				38.8	59.5	48.9	54.9				54.2	31.4		$19,826	$980	$18,846
Emmitsburg Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	300 S Seton Ave	Emmitsburg	21727	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-1720	211	16	12.9	51.2%	160 (75.8%)	16 (7.6%)	18 (8.5%)	6 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.2%)	77.7	200^th of 864 public elementary schools	76.9%		73.8	224^th of 865 public elementary schools	74.1%	24	55.2	38.2	50.0				47.5	69.0	67.6	55.6				63.6	48.6		$24,236	$1,252	$22,984
Thurmont Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	7989 Rocky Ridge Rd	Thurmont	21788	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-1280	350	25	14.2	55.1%	283 (80.9%)	8 (2.3%)	41 (11.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.6%)								(n/a)																	$20,158	$1,063	$19,095
Wolfsville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	12520 Wolfsville Rd	Myersville	21773	Frederick County	Frederick County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(227) 203-1120	163	11	14.5	35.0%	135 (82.8%)	1 (0.6%)	16 (9.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (6.7%)	90.9	82^nd of 864 public elementary schools	90.5%		93.4	55^th of 865 public elementary schools	93.6%	27	77.3	65.0	47.4				63.9	86.4	90.0	73.7				83.6	42.1		$22,498	$1,098	$21,400
Paramount Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	19410 Longmeadow Rd	Hagerstown	21742	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 766-8289	397	26	15.0	49.4%	217 (54.7%)	75 (18.9%)	62 (15.6%)	13 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.6%)	71	255^th of 864 public elementary schools	70.5%		70.3	254^th of 865 public elementary schools	70.6%	1	44.6	46.8	34.9				42.0	60.7	62.9	57.1				60.2	43.8		$16,005	$982	$15,023
Potomac Heights Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	301 E Magnolia Ave	Hagerstown	21742	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 766-8305	351	21	16.6	66.4%	137 (39.0%)	80 (22.8%)	73 (20.8%)	10 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (14.5%)	61.5	306^th of 864 public elementary schools	64.6%		57.8	353^rd of 865 public elementary schools	59.2%	47	43.4	37.8	26.9				36.0	49.1	54.5	57.7				53.7	46.2		$14,275	$821	$13,455

Frequently Asked Questions about Cascade Elementary

How many students attend Cascade Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 137 students attended Cascade Elementary.

What district is Cascade Elementary in?

Washington County Public Schools

Is Cascade Elementary a good school?

Cascade Elementary ranks 493^rd of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Cascade Elementary attend?

Students who attend Cascade Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Smithsburg Middle
High : Smithsburg High

What is the racial makeup of Cascade Elementary?

Students at Cascade Elementary are 79% White, 9% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresNewJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

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.