Hillsmere Elementary vs West Annapolis Elementary
Hillsmere Elementary and West Annapolis Elementary are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.0 out of 10. Hillsmere Elementary is significantly larger with 393 students, about 1.6× the size of West Annapolis Elementary (240). In math proficiency, West Annapolis Elementary leads at 97.5%.
Hillsmere Elementary
Annapolis, MD
393 students
West Annapolis Elementary
Annapolis, MD
240 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Hillsmere Elementary | West Annapolis Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10 | 9.3 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Growth Score | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 37.2% | 19.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.2 | 9.5 |
| State Rank | #82 of 1,363 | #30 of 1,363 |
| State Percentile | 94th | 98th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Hillsmere Elementary | West Annapolis Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 87.0% | 97.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 82.0% | 97.5% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Hillsmere Elementary | West Annapolis Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 393 | 240 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 12.7:1 | 13.3:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 37.2% | 19.2% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 18.3% | 10.4% |
| District | Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Anne Arundel County Public Schools |
| City | Annapolis | Annapolis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Annapolis (21403) | Annapolis (21401) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $115,068 | $119,296 |
| Median Home Value | $566,900 | $580,600 |
| Median Rent | $1,872 | $2,106 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 57.6% | 60.8% |
| Poverty Rate | 4.9% | 7.1% |
| Avg Commute | 31 min | 29 min |
The data story: Hillsmere Elementary vs West Annapolis Elementary
Hillsmere Elementary and West Annapolis Elementary sit 3.6 miles apart in Annapolis, Maryland, and both rank among the top schools in the state — but the gap between them is meaningful. Hillsmere Elementary holds an overall rating of 9.4/10 versus West Annapolis Elementary's 8.9/10, a half-point difference that translates to a state rank of #10 of 1363 in Maryland for Hillsmere against #54 of 1363 for West Annapolis. Both are genuinely high-performing schools; the question is which profile fits a family's priorities better.
On academic proficiency, West Annapolis Elementary edges ahead with a 9.9/10 academic score compared to Hillsmere Elementary's 9.6/10. The more striking contrast runs the other direction on growth: Hillsmere Elementary scores 9.8/10 on student growth versus West Annapolis Elementary's 8.8/10 — a full point separating the two. That gap means Hillsmere is consistently moving students further along their learning trajectories relative to where they started, a metric that matters especially for students entering below grade level or those looking to accelerate.
Hillsmere Elementary enrolls 393 students compared to West Annapolis Elementary's 240, making West Annapolis the smaller, more intimate campus. The student-teacher ratio at Hillsmere Elementary is 12.7:1 versus 13.3:1 at West Annapolis — a modest difference, though both remain well below state averages. The sharper demographic divide is in free and reduced-price lunch eligibility: Hillsmere Elementary serves 37% of students under that program while West Annapolis Elementary serves 19%. Hillsmere's higher growth score alongside a more economically diverse student body suggests the school is effectively serving a wider range of learners.
One structural difference parents should note: Hillsmere Elementary offers prekindergarten through grade 5, giving families the option to enroll as early as PK, while West Annapolis Elementary begins at kindergarten. Families with a four-year-old looking for continuity in a single building will find only Hillsmere accommodates that path. Both schools cap out at grade 5 and feed into the same middle school pipeline within the Anne Arundel County system.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Hillsmere Elementary
Hillsmere Elementary suits families who prioritize documented student growth over raw proficiency scores — particularly those with kids who entered school behind or who want to see measurable year-over-year acceleration. Its prekindergarten entry point also makes it the practical choice for parents who want to plant their child in one building from age four through fifth grade.
West Annapolis Elementary
West Annapolis Elementary fits families drawn to a smaller, lower-density campus — 240 students versus 393 — and the highest academic proficiency score of the two schools at 9.9/10. It tends to serve a less economically diverse population, and its kindergarten start makes it straightforward for families who are not seeking a PK option.