Below Average
#1076 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
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#1,076 of 1,363
In Hagerstown
#20 of 22
public schools
In district
#40 of 42
Washington County Public Schools
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Bester Elementary
Elementary School in Hagerstown · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hagerstown Childrens School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bester Elementary
Bester Elementary is a public elementary school in Hagerstown, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. Bester Elementary serves approximately 461 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Bester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,076 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Bester Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 6.8
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Bester Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bester Elementary — Students at Bester Elementary score 14% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
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 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Bester Elementary Compares
See how Bester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
385 Mill St, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fountaindale Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emma K. Doub Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ruth Ann Monroe Primary (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 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 | 9.1 |
| HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| South Hagerstown High Hagerstown | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| E. Russell Hicks Middle Hagerstown | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Western Heights Middle Hagerstown | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Eastern Elementary Hagerstown | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| North Hagerstown High Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Marshall Street School Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 2.5 |
| Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Ruth Ann Monroe Primary Hagerstown | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Northern Middle Hagerstown | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincolnshire Elementary Hagerstown | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allenwood Elementary Temple Hills, MD | 4.8 |
| Campfield Early Childhood Center Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Carole Highlands Elementary Takoma Park, MD | 4.8 |
| Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Fullerton Elementary Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Lake Seneca Elementary Germantown, MD | 4.8 |
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 ranks #1,076 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Bester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Bester Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bester Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.8%
- Phone
- (301) 766-8001
Resources & Links
District
Washington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,549
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,937
- District Rank
- #40 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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