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Needs Improvement

#1348 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

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland elementary schools

#876 of 882

In district

#42 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

About Cascade Elementary

Cascade Elementary, located in Cascade, Maryland on Pennersville Road, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 144 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The dedicated teaching staff includes eight full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' educational needs.

Cascade Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 25th percentile among Maryland schools ranked at #1026 out of 1364 total institutions. The school’s academic score stands at 5.2/10, indicating there is room for growth and development in student performance. On standardized tests, 34% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while 30% demonstrate proficiency in Math.

Cascade Elementary is situated on the edge of an urban area within a small town setting, offering both rural charm and proximity to city amenities. This unique location allows for diverse experiences that enrich the educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 144 students, Cascade Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,838

Cascade Elementary — Students at Cascade Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 29.0%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
30%
ELA
25%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Cascade Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
1th percentile in MD
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

14519 Pennersville Rd, Cascade, MD 21719

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairfield Area El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ANDREW SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smithsburg Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 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 3.2
Hooverville El Sch Waynesboro 3.0 mi 5.8
Summitview El Sch Waynesboro 4.5 mi 6.5
Waynesboro Area MS Waynesboro 4.6 mi 3.5
Waynesboro Area Senior High School Waynesboro 4.9 mi 3.4
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Waynesboro 5.2 mi 7.7
Smithsburg Middle Smithsburg 5.7 mi 6.9
Smithsburg High Smithsburg 5.8 mi 5.2
Smithsburg Elementary Smithsburg 6.0 mi 7.1
Fairview El Sch Waynesboro 6.0 mi 5.3
Catoctin High Thurmont 6.8 mi 3.2
Thurmont Middle Thurmont 8.0 mi 3.6
Mowrey El Sch Waynesboro 8.1 mi 4.8
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 8.7
ABRAXAS YOUTH CENTER South Mountain 9.2 mi 7.8
Fairfield Area HS Fairfield 7.7 mi 6.0
Fairfield Area MS Fairfield 7.7 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cascade Elementary has a median household income of $75,278. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,500. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 43 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Tilghman Elementary Tilghman, MD 3.5
BELTSVILLE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Beltsville, MD 3.8
Sabillasville Environmental School Sabillasville, MD 3.2
THE H.O.P.E. ACADEMY BALTIMORE, INC. Baltimore, MD 4.1
Annapolis Elementary Annapolis, MD 4.3
THE LAMB OF GOD SCHOOL Halethorpe, MD 4.4

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 is ranked #1348 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Cascade Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Cascade Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cascade Elementary has 29.0% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (604/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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