Skip to main content

Average

#577 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 42% in state

E. Russell Hicks Middle

Middle School · Washington County Public Schools

1321 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Enrollment

827

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#577 of 1,363

In Hagerstown

#13 of 22

public schools

In district

#24 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around E. Russell Hicks Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

E. Russell Hicks Middle

6.8/10

Middle School in Hagerstown · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Emma K. Doub Elementary

7.9/10

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

South Hagerstown High

4.7/10

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

About E. Russell Hicks Middle

E. Russell Hicks Middle is a public middle school in Hagerstown, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. E.

Russell Hicks Middle serves approximately 827 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. E. Russell Hicks Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #577 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for E. Russell Hicks Middle show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at E. Russell Hicks Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937
Chronic Absenteeism36.6%

E. Russell Hicks Middle — Students at E. Russell Hicks Middle score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 56.6% (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
81%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
44%
2025
Math
27.2%
ELA
54.4%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How E. Russell Hicks Middle Compares

See how E. Russell Hicks Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in MD
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

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

1321 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering E. Russell Hicks Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (rated 9.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JAMES SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jonathan Hager Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown 0.1 mi 7.9
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown 0.4 mi 4.7
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 1.4 mi 4.8
Lincolnshire Elementary Hagerstown 1.4 mi 7.0
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 2.0 mi 9.1
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown 2.1 mi 5.3
HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown 2.0 mi
TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown 2.4 mi 6.4
Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown 2.3 mi 4.9
Rockland Woods Elementary Hagerstown 2.8 mi 7.0
Eastern Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 5.9
Ruth Ann Monroe Primary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 7.4
Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown 2.9 mi 6.4
Hickory Elementary Williamsport 2.3 mi 4.9
Western Heights Middle Hagerstown 3.1 mi 6.9
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 3.2 mi 2.5
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 3.2 mi 7.5
ST JAMES SCHOOL Hagerstown 3.2 mi 8.5
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown 3.4 mi 6.3
Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown 3.4 mi 8.1

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
Brooklyn Park Middle Baltimore, MD 6.8
Patuxent Valley Middle Jessup, MD 6.8
Perryville Middle Perryville, MD 6.8
Sparrows Point Middle Baltimore, MD 6.8
Bennett Middle Fruitland, MD 6.7
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy, MD 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about E. Russell Hicks Middle

What grades does E. Russell Hicks Middle serve?

E. Russell Hicks Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend E. Russell Hicks Middle?

E. Russell Hicks Middle has an enrollment of approximately 827 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at E. Russell Hicks Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at E. Russell Hicks Middle is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does E. Russell Hicks Middle rank in MD?

E. Russell Hicks Middle ranks #577 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is E. Russell Hicks Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

E. Russell Hicks Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 E. Russell Hicks Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, E. Russell Hicks Middle has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is E. Russell Hicks Middle a charter school?

No, E. Russell Hicks Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is E. Russell Hicks Middle a Title I school?

No, E. Russell Hicks Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for E. Russell Hicks Middle?

73.8% of students at E. Russell Hicks Middle 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
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
15 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
827
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.