Below Average
#1190 of 1,363 schools in MD
Heather Ridge
High School · Frederick County Public Schools
1445 Taney Ave, Frederick, MD 21702
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
3.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Frederick
#24 of 30
public schools
Maryland high schools
#162 of 226
In district
#52 of 67
Frederick County Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Heather Ridge
Heather Ridge in Frederick, Maryland is an alternative high school for students in grades 6 through 12. With a small enrollment of just 57 students and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 3.8:1, the school offers individualized attention to help its diverse population succeed. The faculty includes 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with each student.
Despite having relatively low state rankings (2.5 out of 10 overall and an academic score of 1.4), Heather Ridge focuses on providing support for students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings, ensuring they receive the help needed to develop both academically and personally. The school's location in a small city setting provides a tight-knit community atmosphere where teachers can build strong relationships with their students. While test scores show that there is room for academic growth (18% proficient or above in ELA/reading, 15% in math), the goal at Heather Ridge is to support each student's unique journey and help them reach their full potential.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 57 students, Heather Ridge 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 3.8:1, Heather Ridge 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
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Heather Ridge — Students at Heather Ridge score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Heather Ridge Compares
See how Heather Ridge performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 20% (2025).
Location
1445 Taney Ave, Frederick, MD 21702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heather Ridge may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Frederick High (rated 3.5/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Gov. Thomas Johnson High (rated 3.3/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Frederick, see our Frederick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MEADOWS MONTESSORI Frederick | 0.3 mi | — |
| Gov. Thomas Johnson High Frederick | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| North Frederick Elementary Frederick | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| THE BANNER SCHOOL Frederick | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle Frederick | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Monocacy Middle Frederick | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Monocacy Elementary Frederick | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick | 1.4 mi | — |
| Parkway Elementary Frederick | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Frederick High Frederick | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF FREDERICK Frederick | 1.3 mi | — |
| West Frederick Middle Frederick | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| ST JOHN REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Frederick | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary Frederick | 2.1 mi | 9.0 |
| FREDERICK COUNTRY DAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Frederick | 2.2 mi | — |
| Frederick Classical Charter Frederick | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Whittier Elementary Frederick | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Crestwood Middle Frederick | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Frederick | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,659
Median Home Value
$384,800
Median Rent
$1,722/mo
Population
47,437
College Educated
40.5%
Homeownership
63.1%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heather Ridge has a median household income of $104,659. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $384,800, with a median rent of $1,722/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| BCDC Educational Center Towson, MD | 4.8 |
| Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Rock Terrace School Rockville, MD | 4.4 |
| Rosedale Center Baltimore, MD | 5.1 |
| Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings formerly Oak Hill Laurel, MD | 5.2 |
| Claremont School Baltimore, MD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heather Ridge
What grades does Heather Ridge serve?
Heather Ridge serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Heather Ridge?
Heather Ridge has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heather Ridge?
The student-teacher ratio at Heather Ridge is 3.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Heather Ridge rank in MD?
Heather Ridge is ranked #1190 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Heather Ridge's MySchoolScout rating?
Heather Ridge has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Heather Ridge?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heather Ridge has 15.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Heather Ridge a charter school?
No, Heather Ridge is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Heather Ridge a Title I school?
No, Heather Ridge is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Heather Ridge?
71.9% of students at Heather Ridge 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
- City Safety
- High (2,084/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Frederick). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 57
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Frederick County
- Phone
- (240) 236-8000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Frederick County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 47,681
- Schools in District
- 69
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,233
- District Rank
- #52 of 67
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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