Average
#783 of 1,363 schools in MD
Bester Elementary
Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools
385 Mill St, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hagerstown
#14 of 22
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#643 of 882
In district
#27 of 42
Washington County Public Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Bester Elementary
Bester Elementary in Hagerstown, Maryland, is a regular public school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 461 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, the school offers individualized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated teaching staff includes 42 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing environment for young learners.
Academically, Bester Elementary ranks at the 19th percentile among Maryland schools, with room for improvement in test scores, particularly in ELA and math proficiency levels of 18% and 11%, respectively. The school is focusing on student development and growth to enhance academic performance over time. Situated in a small city setting, Bester Elementary provides a community-focused educational experience for its students, drawing from the local area around Mill Street.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bester Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Bester Elementary — Students at Bester Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.9%
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: 6.3/10.
How Bester Elementary Compares
See how Bester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 11% (2019) to 9.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 21.6% (2025).
Location
385 Mill St, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Potomac Heights Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salem Avenue Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pangborn Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| South Hagerstown High Hagerstown | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| E. Russell Hicks Middle Hagerstown | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Western Heights Middle Hagerstown | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Eastern Elementary Hagerstown | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| North Hagerstown High Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Marshall Street School Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Ruth Ann Monroe Primary Hagerstown | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Northern Middle Hagerstown | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincolnshire Elementary Hagerstown | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,410
Median Home Value
$241,600
Median Rent
$1,031/mo
Population
63,140
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
55.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bester Elementary has a median household income of $59,410. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,600, with a median rent of $1,031/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Cannon Road Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.1 |
| Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick, MD | 6.1 |
| Clearspring Elementary Damascus, MD | 6.1 |
| Deerfield Run Elementary Laurel, MD | 6.1 |
| Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School Newburg, MD | 6.1 |
| Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bester Elementary
What grades does Bester Elementary serve?
Bester Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bester Elementary?
Bester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 461 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bester Elementary is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bester Elementary rank in MD?
Bester Elementary is ranked #783 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Bester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bester Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Bester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bester Elementary has 11.0% math proficiency and 18.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bester Elementary a charter school?
No, Bester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bester Elementary?
88.9% of students at Bester 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,177/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hagerstown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 461
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (301) 766-8001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,549
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,937
- District Rank
- #27 of 42
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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