Summary:
Zip code 21742 in Hagerstown, Maryland, is home to eight public schools within the Washington County Public Schools district, serving a diverse range of students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in an area characterized by significant economic diversity.
For parents, the standout school in this area is Fountaindale Elementary, which consistently achieves the highest academic performance despite serving a student body where over half qualify for free and reduced lunch. In contrast, Eastern Elementary struggles the most academically, even though it spends the most per student. Old Forge Elementary stands out for its exceptional attendance and efficiency, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate and a favorable student-teacher ratio. For families with advanced math students, Northern Middle is a powerhouse, with over 96% of its geometry students scoring proficient. However, North Hagerstown High shows concerning math proficiency rates and the highest chronic absenteeism, suggesting a potential disconnect between middle and high school math success.
Key takeaways for parents include that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as evidenced by Eastern Elementary's high spending and low scores. Chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of academic trouble, with the top-performing elementary schools all having rates below 22%. The Ruth Ann Monroe Primary school, serving grades PK-2, has no test score data, creating a blind spot in assessing early academic foundations. Overall, this zip code offers a mix of high-performing elementary options and a strong middle school math program, but families should be aware of the challenges at the high school level and the wide variation in school performance.
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