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Very Good

#390 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 29% in state

Gateway School

High School · Carroll County Public Schools

45 Kate Wagner Road, Westminster, MD 21157

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

4.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Westminster

#7 of 14

public schools

Maryland high schools

#2 of 226

In district

#16 of 40

Carroll County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Gateway School

Gateway School serves 81 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Westminster, Maryland. With an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1 and 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides highly personalized attention that has contributed to its impressive 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking of 73rd out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 95th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance shows significant room for growth, with 25% of students reaching proficiency, indicating the school's focus on supporting students who may face academic challenges in certain subjects. Gateway School is situated in a stable community where the median household income reaches $96,406 and median home values are $375,700. The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 7.7%, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Located on Kate Wagner Road in Westminster, the school operates in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area within Carroll County, providing students with both small-town familiarity and access to broader metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 81 students, Gateway School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1, Gateway School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7%
Reading vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness6.1Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio4.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,757

Gateway School — Students at Gateway School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.9%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2025
ELA
41.7%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Gateway School Compares

See how Gateway School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in MD
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

45 Kate Wagner Road, Westminster, MD 21157

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gateway School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Post Secondary Program (rated 5.8/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Westminster High (rated 4.6/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Winters Mill High (rated 4.1/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Westminster, see our Westminster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Flexible Student Support Westminster 0.0 mi 4.0
Crossroads Middle School Westminster 0.0 mi
Robert Moton Elementary Westminster 0.1 mi 6.3
Westminster High Westminster 0.4 mi 4.6
Friendship Valley Elementary Westminster 1.0 mi 8.2
PRIDE School Westminster 1.0 mi
Carroll Springs School Westminster 1.8 mi
Post Secondary Program Westminster 1.8 mi 5.8
CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM Westminster 1.9 mi
Winters Mill High Westminster 2.6 mi 4.1
Westminster East Middle Westminster 2.8 mi 5.4
Cranberry Station Elementary Westminster 2.8 mi 7.6
William Winchester Elementary Westminster 3.2 mi 8.6
Westminster West Middle Westminster 3.3 mi 5.8
ST JOHN SCHOOL Westminster 3.5 mi 5.5
Westminster Elementary Westminster 3.6 mi 8.0
Sandymount Elementary Finksburg 3.9 mi 7.6
Mechanicsville Elementary Sykesville 5.3 mi 7.6
GERSTELL ACADEMY Finksburg 4.9 mi 7.3
CARROLL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Westminster 6.0 mi 5.4

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 Gateway School 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
Center for Educational Opportunity Aberdeen, MD 7.3
CHELSEA SCHOOL Hyattsville, MD 7.7
HIGHLAND VIEW ACADEMY Hagerstown, MD 7.0
WYE RIVER UPPER SCHOOL Centreville, MD 7.0
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia, MD 6.9
OLDFIELDS SCHOOL Sparks Glencoe, MD 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gateway School

What grades does Gateway School serve?

Gateway School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Gateway School?

Gateway School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gateway School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gateway School is 4.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gateway School rank in MD?

Gateway School is ranked #390 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Gateway School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gateway School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Gateway School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gateway School has 20.0% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gateway School a charter school?

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

Is Gateway School a Title I school?

No, Gateway School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gateway School?

64.2% of students at Gateway School 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,308/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Carroll County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carroll County Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,123
Schools in District
44
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,548
District Rank
#16 of 40

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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