Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 21771

The three elementary schools in zip code 21771—Twin Ridge Elementary, Mount Airy Elementary, and Parr's Ridge Elementary—serve the Mount Airy, Maryland area and are split between two highly-ranked districts: Frederick County Public Schools (ranked 5th in Maryland) and Carroll County Public Schools (ranked 2nd). Twin Ridge Elementary stands out as the top academic performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide. Its test scores significantly exceed both district and state averages, with 69.1% of students proficient in English Language Arts and 55.8% in Math. Mount Airy Elementary also holds a 4-star rating but ranks lower at the 71st percentile, with ELA scores below its district average. Parr's Ridge Elementary serves only grades PK-2 and lacks state ranking data, but it has the highest spending per student ($16,759) and the highest rate of economic disadvantage (26.34% free/reduced lunch).

A key finding is the district vs. school performance paradox: while Carroll County Public Schools is ranked higher overall, Twin Ridge Elementary (from Frederick County) outperforms Mount Airy Elementary on nearly every academic metric. This shows that a school's individual performance can surpass its district's reputation. Twin Ridge excels particularly in ELA, with proficiency rates far above both its district and state averages. Additionally, there is an inverse relationship between spending and performance—the highest-spending school (Parr's Ridge) serves the youngest students and has the highest economic disadvantage, while the highest-performing school (Twin Ridge) spends the least per student.

The grade configurations create a clear feeder pattern: Parr's Ridge (PK-2) feeds into Mount Airy (3-5), meaning Mount Airy's performance partly reflects the foundation built at Parr's Ridge. Chronic absenteeism rates are below district averages for all three schools, which is positive, but Parr's Ridge has the highest rate (15.5%), which could impact students as they transition to Mount Airy. Overall, families in this zip code have strong options, with Twin Ridge leading in academics, Mount Airy offering solid performance within a top-ranked district, and Parr's Ridge providing specialized early education with higher per-student investment.