Skip to main content

Average

#605 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 44% 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

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hagerstown

#11 of 22

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#46 of 224

In district

#22 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About E. Russell Hicks Middle

E. Russell Hicks Middle serves students in grades six through eight in Hagerstown, Maryland. With an enrollment of 827 students and 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5 to 1, allowing for meaningful classroom interaction.

Academically, E. Russell Hicks is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects. In English language arts, 44% of students score at proficient levels or above, while mathematics shows an area with particular room for growth, with 23% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 62nd percentile among Maryland's 1,364 schools, positioning it at number 521 statewide. The school is located in Hagerstown, a small city in Washington County, making it accessible to families throughout the surrounding community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,838

E. Russell Hicks Middle — Students at E. Russell Hicks Middle score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

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 22.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
51.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
44%
2025
Math
28.7%
ELA
54.7%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How E. Russell Hicks Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in MD
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

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. ST JAMES SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rockland Woods Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Salem Avenue Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.9 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 6.1
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown 0.4 mi 3.6
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 1.4 mi 6.1
Lincolnshire Elementary Hagerstown 1.4 mi 6.2
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 2.0 mi 6.5
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 7.8
Rockland Woods Elementary Hagerstown 2.8 mi 8.0
Eastern Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 5.4
Ruth Ann Monroe Primary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 7.3
Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown 2.9 mi 8.0
Hickory Elementary Williamsport 2.3 mi 7.0
Western Heights Middle Hagerstown 3.1 mi 5.9
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 3.2 mi 4.3
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 3.2 mi 7.3
ST JAMES SCHOOL Hagerstown 3.2 mi 8.5
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown 3.4 mi 5.5
Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown 3.4 mi 4.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding E. Russell Hicks Middle has a median household income of $59,410. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,600, with a median rent of $1,031/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. 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
Aberdeen Middle Aberdeen, MD 6.7
Berlin Intermediate Berlin, MD 6.7
Kettering Middle Upper Marlboro, MD 6.7
Lakelands Park Middle Gaithersburg, MD 6.7
Neelsville Middle Germantown, MD 6.7
Redland Middle Rockville, 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 is ranked #605 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

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

E. Russell Hicks Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 E. Russell Hicks Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, E. Russell Hicks Middle has 22.9% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,177/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.