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Average

#995 of 1,363 schools in MD

Cascade Elementary

Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools

14519 Pennersville Rd, Cascade, MD 21719

Enrollment

144

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#995 of 1,363

In district

#36 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

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Cascade Elementary

5.1/10

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

Wellspring Christian Family School

2.5/10

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

Sabillasville Environmental School

5.9/10

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

About Cascade Elementary

Cascade Elementary is a public elementary school in Cascade, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. Cascade Elementary serves approximately 144 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Cascade Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #995 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Cascade Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 144 students, Cascade Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.8% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.2 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937
Chronic Absenteeism13.2%

Cascade Elementary — Students at Cascade Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
32.8%
ELA
35.9%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Cascade Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
27th percentile in MD
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

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

14519 Pennersville Rd, Cascade, MD 21719

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANDREW SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fairfield Area El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smithsburg Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Smithsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cascade, see our Cascade schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN FAMILY SCHOOL Sabillasville 2.3 mi 2.5
Sabillasville Environmental School Sabillasville 3.0 mi 5.9
Hooverville El Sch Waynesboro 3.0 mi 5.0
Summitview El Sch Waynesboro 4.5 mi 5.3
Waynesboro Area MS Waynesboro 4.6 mi 3.5
Waynesboro Area Senior High School Waynesboro 4.9 mi 6.0
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Waynesboro 5.2 mi 7.7
Smithsburg Middle Smithsburg 5.7 mi 8.3
Smithsburg High Smithsburg 5.8 mi 7.0
Smithsburg Elementary Smithsburg 6.0 mi 6.7
Fairview El Sch Waynesboro 6.0 mi 4.5
Catoctin High Thurmont 6.8 mi 5.5
Thurmont Middle Thurmont 8.0 mi 4.8
Mowrey El Sch Waynesboro 8.1 mi 5.1
South Mountain Secure Trmnt Un South Mountain 9.0 mi
ABRAXAS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM South Mountain 9.1 mi 8.5
Fairfield Area El Sch Fairfield 7.6 mi 7.5
ABRAXAS YOUTH CENTER South Mountain 9.2 mi 7.8
Fairfield Area HS Fairfield 7.7 mi 7.0
Fairfield Area MS Fairfield 7.7 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,278

Median Home Value

$230,500

Population

1,162

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

90.1%

Avg Commute

42.8 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Owings Mills, MD 5.0
THE LAMB OF GOD SCHOOL Halethorpe, MD 5.2
YESHIVAS TORAS SIMCHA Pikesville, MD 5.2
ST MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Severna Park, MD 4.9
Baden Elementary Brandywine, MD 5.3
Belmont Elementary Baltimore, MD 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cascade Elementary

What grades does Cascade Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Cascade Elementary?

Cascade Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cascade Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cascade Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cascade Elementary rank in MD?

Cascade Elementary ranks #995 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Cascade Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Cascade Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cascade Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cascade Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cascade Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cascade Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.9% of students at Cascade 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
22,549
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
District Rank
#36 of 42

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