Schools in Zip Code 21702

Zip code 21702 in Frederick, Maryland, is home to seven schools within the highly-rated Frederick County Public Schools district, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across a mix of elementary, middle, high, and alternative schools.

The standout performer in this area is Yellow Springs Elementary, which leads all schools in the zip code with the highest math (45.4%) and English Language Arts (69.5%) proficiency rates, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (10.8%). In stark contrast, Heather Ridge, a small alternative high school, faces extreme challenges with a 27.2% graduation rate, 59% dropout rate, and 74.4% chronic absenteeism, despite spending $96,817 per student—over five times more than any other school in the area. Among elementary schools, Waverley Elementary has the lowest test scores (18.8% math, 26.1% ELA) and the highest poverty rate (87.36%), while Monocacy Valley Montessori achieves exceptional ELA proficiency in specific grades (89.3% in 6th grade) and has the lowest poverty rate (29.27%). Monocacy Middle shows a unique strength in advanced math, with 73.1% of Algebra I students scoring proficient, far above the district average of 33.5%.

A key takeaway is the dramatic inverse relationship between spending and performance, as Heather Ridge's high costs do not translate to academic success, likely reflecting the intensive support needed for its student population. Poverty strongly correlates with outcomes, as schools with lower poverty rates like Yellow Springs and Monocacy Valley Montessori outperform those with higher rates. Chronic absenteeism is a widespread issue, with five of seven schools exceeding the district average of 16.7%, including Whittier Elementary and Monocacy Elementary, making attendance a critical focus for families in this area.