Best Public Schools in Zip Code 21795

The four public schools serving zip code 21795 in Williamsport, Maryland, are part of the Washington County Public Schools district and include two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, serving a community with significant economic challenges as indicated by an average free and reduced lunch rate of 65.6%.

The standout performer in the area is Williamsport Elementary, which earns a 4-star rating and dramatically outperforms both district and state averages in math (62.4% proficiency vs. 27.1% statewide) and English Language Arts (67.4% vs. 51.7% statewide). In stark contrast, Hickory Elementary is the most challenged school, with a 1-star rating, the highest poverty rate (77.3% FRL), and the lowest academic performance in the zip code. Springfield Middle presents a paradox: while its overall math proficiency (23.4%) is below the state average, its advanced math students taking Algebra I and Geometry achieve extraordinary proficiency rates of 84.7% and 94.4%, respectively. Williamsport High faces a serious crisis with a 40.4% chronic absenteeism rate, which correlates with its low math proficiency (8.7%) and elevated dropout rate (10.8%).

A key takeaway is that spending does not directly correlate with outcomes: Hickory Elementary, the lowest-performing school, has the highest per-student spending ($18,567), while Williamsport Elementary, the highest-performing school, has the lowest ($15,778). This suggests that factors like poverty and school leadership are more decisive than funding alone. The high school's absenteeism rate is a critical red flag requiring immediate intervention, while the middle school's success with advanced learners highlights a strong pipeline for top students that coexists with challenges in bringing the majority to grade-level proficiency.