Below Average
#1209 of 1,363 schools in MD
Francis Scott Key High
High School · Carroll County Public Schools
3825 Bark Hill Road, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Enrollment
931
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
931
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Union Bridge
#2 of 2
public schools
Maryland high schools
#165 of 226
In district
#34 of 40
Carroll County Public Schools
About Francis Scott Key High
Francis Scott Key High serves 931 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Union Bridge, Maryland. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, providing reasonable opportunities for individualized attention in this Carroll County institution. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks 616th among Maryland's 1,364 high schools, placing it in the 55th percentile statewide.
Academic performance shows mixed results, with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics, while English Language Arts proficiency stands at 32% across grade levels. These outcomes suggest the school has room for academic growth, particularly in reading and writing skills. Francis Scott Key High draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $88,984 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.8%.
The surrounding area reflects a working-class character, with 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values of $349,900. Located on Bark Hill Road, the school serves families in this close-knit rural setting where community connections run deep and students benefit from small-town stability.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Francis Scott Key High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Francis Scott Key High — Students at Francis Scott Key High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 Francis Scott Key High Compares
See how Francis Scott Key High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
3825 Bark Hill Road, Union Bridge, MD 21791
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Francis Scott Key High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby New Windsor), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby New Windsor), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Post Secondary Program (rated 5.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union Bridge, see our Union Bridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elmer A. Wolfe Elementary Union Bridge | 2.6 mi | 9.3 |
| Runnymede Elementary Westminster | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL New Windsor | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| SPRINGDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL New Windsor | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Northwest Middle Taneytown | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| SILVER OAK ACADEMY Keymar | 3.7 mi | — |
| Taneytown Elementary Taneytown | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| CARROLL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Westminster | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Westminster Elementary Westminster | 5.8 mi | 8.0 |
| NORTH CARROLL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Westminster | 7.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Friendship Valley Elementary Westminster | 7.6 mi | 8.2 |
| PRIDE School Westminster | 7.6 mi | — |
| William Winchester Elementary Westminster | 7.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Westminster West Middle Westminster | 7.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Westminster | 7.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Westminster East Middle Westminster | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Carroll Springs School Westminster | 7.9 mi | — |
| Post Secondary Program Westminster | 7.9 mi | 5.8 |
| CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM Westminster | 8.1 mi | — |
| Westminster High Westminster | 8.3 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21791 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,460
Median Home Value
$370,300
Median Rent
$1,320/mo
Population
4,734
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
83.6%
Avg Commute
36.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Francis Scott Key High has a median household income of $90,460. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,300, with a median rent of $1,320/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| BISHOP MCNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL Forestville, MD | 4.6 |
| Elkton High Elkton, MD | 4.6 |
| North Dorchester High School Hurlock, MD | 4.6 |
| Sparrows Point High Sparrows Point, MD | 4.6 |
| Thomas Stone High School Waldorf, MD | 4.6 |
| Fort Hill High Cumberland, MD | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Francis Scott Key High
What grades does Francis Scott Key High serve?
Francis Scott Key High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Francis Scott Key High?
Francis Scott Key High has an enrollment of approximately 931 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Francis Scott Key High?
The student-teacher ratio at Francis Scott Key High is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Francis Scott Key High rank in MD?
Francis Scott Key High is ranked #1209 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Francis Scott Key High's MySchoolScout rating?
Francis Scott Key High has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Francis Scott Key High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Francis Scott Key High has 39.8% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Francis Scott Key High a charter school?
No, Francis Scott Key High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Francis Scott Key High a Title I school?
No, Francis Scott Key High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Francis Scott Key High?
41.2% of students at Francis Scott Key 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (438/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 931
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carroll County
- Phone
- (410) 751-3320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carroll County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,123
- Schools in District
- 44
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,548
- District Rank
- #34 of 40
Other Schools in This District
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.
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