Below Average
#1161 of 1,363 schools in MD
Ballenger Creek Middle
Middle School · Frederick County Public Schools
5525 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Frederick
#23 of 30
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#174 of 224
In district
#50 of 67
Frederick County Public Schools
About Ballenger Creek Middle
Ballenger Creek Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Frederick, Maryland, with an enrollment of 792 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5 to 1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size suburban setting on Ballenger Creek Pike, it functions as a regular public middle school.
Academically, Ballenger Creek Middle is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects. In English language arts, 48% of students are meeting or exceeding proficiency benchmarks, while mathematics proficiency sits at 23% across grades. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranking at the 47th percentile statewide, the school reflects the broader challenges many middle schools face in building foundational skills during these critical years.
The academic score of 6.1 out of 10 indicates there is meaningful room for growth, particularly in math instruction and intervention strategies. For families considering Ballenger Creek Middle, the school represents a neighborhood option in Frederick's suburban community. Parents exploring the school may want to discuss with administrators their specific initiatives for academic improvement and the support systems available for students who need additional help in mathematics and reading.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ballenger Creek Middle — Students at Ballenger Creek Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.5/10.
How Ballenger Creek Middle Compares
See how Ballenger Creek Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 23.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 58.4% (2025).
Location
5525 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballenger Creek Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West Frederick Middle (rated 4.5/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Crestwood Middle (rated 4.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Frederick, see our Frederick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscarora High Frederick | 0.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Ballenger Creek Elementary Frederick | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Tuscarora Elementary Frederick | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Crestwood Middle Frederick | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick | 1.8 mi | — |
| Hillcrest Elementary Frederick | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| LAUREL HALL SCHOOL - FREDERICK Frederick | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| LAUREL HALL SCHOOL Frederick | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| West Frederick Middle Frederick | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Frederick High Frederick | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary Frederick | 2.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Parkway Elementary Frederick | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick | 2.6 mi | — |
| Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC PREP Buckeystown | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballenger Creek Middle has a median household income of $105,293. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,300, with a median rent of $1,887/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Middletown Middle Middletown, MD | 4.8 |
| Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy, MD | 4.8 |
| Patuxent Valley Middle Jessup, MD | 4.8 |
| Rocky Hill Middle Clarksburg, MD | 4.8 |
| Thomas Viaduct Middle Hanover, MD | 4.8 |
| Annapolis Middle Annapolis, MD | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballenger Creek Middle
What grades does Ballenger Creek Middle serve?
Ballenger Creek Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ballenger Creek Middle?
Ballenger Creek Middle has an enrollment of approximately 792 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballenger Creek Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballenger Creek Middle is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballenger Creek Middle rank in MD?
Ballenger Creek Middle is ranked #1161 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Ballenger Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballenger Creek Middle has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ballenger Creek Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballenger Creek Middle has 22.6% math proficiency and 49.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ballenger Creek Middle a charter school?
No, Ballenger Creek Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballenger Creek Middle a Title I school?
No, Ballenger Creek Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballenger Creek Middle?
35.0% of students at Ballenger Creek Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,084/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Frederick). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 792
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Frederick County
- Phone
- (240) 236-5700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Frederick County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 47,681
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,233
- District Rank
- #50 of 67
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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