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#918 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

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#918 of 1,363

In Frederick

#26 of 30

public schools

In district

#60 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

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Ballenger Creek Middle

5.4/10

Middle School in Frederick · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tuscarora High

5.7/10

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

Orchard Grove Elementary

7.1/10

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

About Ballenger Creek Middle

Ballenger Creek Middle is a public middle school in Frederick, MD, part of Frederick County Public Schools. Ballenger Creek Middle serves approximately 792 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballenger Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #918 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Ballenger Creek Middle show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • MD avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-6.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,233
Chronic Absenteeism24.4%

Ballenger Creek Middle — Students at Ballenger Creek Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (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
86%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
23.9%
ELA
56%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Ballenger Creek Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
33th percentile in MD
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.4%

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

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 6.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crestwood Middle (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar 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 5.7
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 0.6 mi 7.1
Ballenger Creek Elementary Frederick 0.8 mi 6.7
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 1.1 mi 6.4
FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick 1.1 mi 5.0
Crestwood Middle Frederick 1.1 mi 5.6
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 1.8 mi
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 1.8 mi 6.0
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 1.8 mi 9.2
Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick 1.5 mi 7.4
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 6.7
Frederick High Frederick 2.3 mi 5.1
Lincoln Elementary Frederick 2.1 mi 6.6
Parkway Elementary Frederick 2.3 mi 7.5
CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick 2.6 mi
Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick 2.7 mi 4.8
FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick 2.4 mi 5.9
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC PREP Buckeystown 3.2 mi 6.2

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
Elkton Middle Elkton, MD 5.4
Francis Scott Key Middle Silver Spring, MD 5.5
G. James Gholson Middle Landover, MD 5.5
MacArthur Middle Fort Meade, MD 5.5
North East Middle North East, MD 5.5
Northwest Academy of Health Sciences Baltimore, MD 5.5

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 ranks #918 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Ballenger Creek Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballenger Creek Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballenger Creek Middle has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.4%

District

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

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