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Average

#589 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 43% in state

Ballenger Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Frederick County Public Schools

5250 Kingsbrook Dr, Frederick, MD 21703

Enrollment

709

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#589 of 1,363

In Frederick

#18 of 30

public schools

In district

#42 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

Equity

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Ballenger Creek Elementary

6.7/10

Elementary School in Frederick · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ballenger Creek Middle

5.4/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Tuscarora High

5.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ballenger Creek Elementary

Ballenger Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Frederick, MD, part of Frederick County Public Schools. Ballenger Creek Elementary serves approximately 709 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballenger Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #589 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Ballenger Creek Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.8% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,233
Chronic Absenteeism26.8%

Ballenger Creek Elementary — Students at Ballenger Creek Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 61.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
34.6%
ELA
55.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Ballenger Creek Elementary Compares

See how Ballenger Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MD
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5250 Kingsbrook Dr, Frederick, MD 21703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballenger Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Butterfly Ridge Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkway Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Frederick Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Frederick, see our Frederick schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick 0.8 mi 5.4
Tuscarora High Frederick 0.8 mi 5.7
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 0.9 mi 6.4
Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick 0.9 mi 7.4
Crestwood Middle Frederick 1.2 mi 5.6
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 1.3 mi 7.1
LAUREL HALL SCHOOL - FREDERICK Frederick 1.4 mi 7.2
LAUREL HALL SCHOOL Frederick 1.4 mi 6.7
FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick 1.7 mi 5.0
Lincoln Elementary Frederick 2.2 mi 6.6
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC PREP Buckeystown 2.6 mi 6.2
West Frederick Middle Frederick 2.6 mi 6.7
Parkway Elementary Frederick 2.6 mi 7.5
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 2.5 mi
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 2.5 mi 6.0
Frederick High Frederick 2.7 mi 5.1
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 2.5 mi 9.2
CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick 2.8 mi
Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick 3.0 mi 4.8
North Frederick Elementary Frederick 3.7 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,293

Median Home Value

$364,300

Median Rent

$1,887/mo

Population

41,766

College Educated

42.9%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cloverly Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.7
Edgemere Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.7
Havre de Grace Elementary Havre De Grace, MD 6.7
John Hanson Montessori Oxon Hill, MD 6.7
Legends Public Charter School Lanham, MD 6.7
Strathmore Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballenger Creek Elementary

What grades does Ballenger Creek Elementary serve?

Ballenger Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ballenger Creek Elementary?

Ballenger Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 709 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballenger Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballenger Creek Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballenger Creek Elementary rank in MD?

Ballenger Creek Elementary ranks #589 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Ballenger Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballenger Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballenger Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballenger Creek Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ballenger Creek Elementary a charter school?

No, Ballenger Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballenger Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ballenger Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballenger Creek Elementary?

50.5% of students at Ballenger Creek Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
709
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Frederick County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.8%

District

Frederick County Public Schools
District Enrollment
47,681
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,233
District Rank
#42 of 67

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