Excellent
#187 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 14% in state
Friendship Valley Elementary
Elementary School · Carroll County Public Schools
1100 Gist Road, Westminster, MD 21157
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Westminster
#3 of 14
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#183 of 882
In district
#6 of 40
Carroll County Public Schools
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Friendship Valley Elementary
Friendship Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Westminster, MD, part of the Carroll County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 499 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.4th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 49% proficiency in math, 19 points above the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $102,835, where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Friendship Valley Elementary 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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Friendship Valley Elementary — Students at Friendship Valley Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How Friendship Valley Elementary Compares
See how Friendship Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 55.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 66.7% (2025).
Location
1100 Gist Road, Westminster, MD 21157
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Friendship Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William Winchester Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Westminster Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cranberry Station Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Westminster, see our Westminster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PRIDE School Westminster | 0.0 mi | — |
| Westminster High Westminster | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Robert Moton Elementary Westminster | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Flexible Student Support Westminster | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Gateway School Westminster | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Crossroads Middle School Westminster | 1.0 mi | — |
| Carroll Springs School Westminster | 1.2 mi | — |
| Post Secondary Program Westminster | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM Westminster | 1.5 mi | — |
| Westminster East Middle Westminster | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| William Winchester Elementary Westminster | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Winters Mill High Westminster | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Cranberry Station Elementary Westminster | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Westminster West Middle Westminster | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Westminster Elementary Westminster | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Westminster | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| CARROLL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Westminster | 5.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Sandymount Elementary Finksburg | 4.8 mi | 7.6 |
| NORTH CARROLL COMMUNITY SCHOOL Westminster | 6.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Sykesville | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21157 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$102,835
Median Home Value
$394,100
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
40,191
College Educated
37.2%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Friendship Valley Elementary has a median household income of $102,835. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $394,100, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Churchville Elementary Churchville, MD | 8.2 |
| Darnestown Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 8.2 |
| Ebb Valley Elementary Manchester, MD | 8.2 |
| G. Lisby Elementary at Hillsdale Aberdeen, MD | 8.2 |
| Glendale Elementary Glen Burnie, MD | 8.2 |
| Heather Hills Elementary Bowie, MD | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Friendship Valley Elementary
What grades does Friendship Valley Elementary serve?
Friendship Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Friendship Valley Elementary?
Friendship Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Friendship Valley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Friendship Valley Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Friendship Valley Elementary rank in MD?
Friendship Valley Elementary is ranked #187 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Friendship Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Friendship Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Friendship Valley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Friendship Valley Elementary has 49.3% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Friendship Valley Elementary a charter school?
No, Friendship Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Friendship Valley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Friendship Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Friendship Valley Elementary?
27.9% of students at Friendship Valley 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Westminster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Carroll County
- Phone
- (410) 751-3650
- 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
- #6 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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