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Needs Improvement

#1353 of 1,363 schools in MD

Catoctin High

High School · Frederick County Public Schools

14745 Sabillasville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

Enrollment

792

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

3.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thurmont

#5 of 5

public schools

Maryland high schools

#223 of 226

In district

#66 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

About Catoctin High

Catoctin High is a public high school in Thurmont, Maryland, serving grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 792 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Catoctin High is working with room for growth.

In English Language Arts, 61% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics proficiency sits at 40% across grade levels. The school's overall academic performance reflects these results, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1164 out of 1364 Maryland schools. As a regular public high school, Catoctin serves the surrounding community with a traditional curriculum approach.

The school is positioned in Thurmont, a town on the fringe of an urban area, which shapes both its character and the student population it draws. For families considering Catoctin High, understanding the current academic performance metrics can help inform decisions about educational fit and any additional support students might benefit from during their high school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.7%
Math vs. State Avg-19.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,981

Catoctin High — Students at Catoctin High score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.4%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 60.7%
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
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
10.4%
ELA
61.7%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Catoctin High Compares

See how Catoctin High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
1th percentile in MD
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

14745 Sabillasville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Catoctin High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fairfield Area HS (rated 6.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smithsburg High (rated 5.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Smithsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thurmont, see our Thurmont schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Thurmont Middle Thurmont 1.3 mi 3.6
Thurmont Elementary Thurmont 1.7 mi 8.2
Thurmont Primary Thurmont 2.0 mi 4.9
Sabillasville Environmental School Sabillasville 3.8 mi 3.2
WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN FAMILY SCHOOL Sabillasville 4.7 mi 2.5
Lewistown Elementary Thurmont 6.8 mi 6.8
Emmitsburg Elementary Emmitsburg 6.2 mi 8.9
MOTHER SETON SCHOOL Emmitsburg 6.4 mi 5.2
Cascade Elementary Cascade 6.8 mi 3.5
New Midway/Woodsboro Elementary Keymar 8.1 mi 8.4
Fairfield Area El Sch Fairfield 9.8 mi 8.7
Fairfield Area HS Fairfield 10.0 mi 6.0
Fairfield Area MS Fairfield 10.0 mi 5.5
Glade Elementary Walkersville 10.4 mi 6.8
Wolfsville Elementary Myersville 8.8 mi 8.2
Hooverville El Sch Waynesboro 9.8 mi 5.8
Rock Creek Walkersville 11.2 mi 5.2
Smithsburg Middle Smithsburg 8.9 mi 6.9
Smithsburg High Smithsburg 8.9 mi 5.2
Walkersville Middle Walkersville 11.3 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21788 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,717

Median Home Value

$342,700

Median Rent

$1,015/mo

Population

11,919

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Catoctin High has a median household income of $93,717. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,700, with a median rent of $1,015/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. 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
Friendly High Fort Washington, MD 3.1
Green Street Academy Baltimore, MD 3.1
Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove Baltimore, MD 2.9
Joppatowne High Joppa, MD 3.6
Williamsport High Williamsport, MD 3.6
Mountain Ridge High School Frostburg, MD 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Catoctin High

What grades does Catoctin High serve?

Catoctin High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Catoctin High?

Catoctin High has an enrollment of approximately 792 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Catoctin High?

The student-teacher ratio at Catoctin High is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Catoctin High rank in MD?

Catoctin High is ranked #1353 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Catoctin High's MySchoolScout rating?

Catoctin High has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Catoctin High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Catoctin High has 40.4% math proficiency and 60.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Catoctin High a charter school?

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

Is Catoctin High a Title I school?

No, Catoctin High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Catoctin High?

33.8% of students at Catoctin High 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

City Safety
Average (659/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thurmont). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Frederick County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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