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Average

#540 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 40% in state

Heather Ridge

High School · Frederick County Public Schools

1445 Taney Ave, Frederick, MD 21702

Enrollment

57

Student-Teacher

3.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#540 of 1,363

In Frederick

#15 of 30

public schools

In district

#34 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Heather Ridge

6.9/10

High School in Frederick · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Meadows Montessori

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gov. Thomas Johnson High

4.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Heather Ridge

Heather Ridge is a public high school in Frederick, MD, part of Frederick County Public Schools. Heather Ridge serves approximately 57 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 3.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Heather Ridge has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #540 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Heather Ridge show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 57 students, Heather Ridge is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Heather Ridge sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 3.8:1 students to teachers, Heather Ridge sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.1% (2025 MCAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,233

Heather Ridge — Students at Heather Ridge score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 15.9% (multi-year average, 2018-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.2% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 11 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
ELA
12.1%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Heather Ridge Compares

See how Heather Ridge performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in MD
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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 5.1/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Gov. Thomas Johnson High (rated 4.9/10, 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 4.9
North Frederick Elementary Frederick 0.6 mi 7.5
THE BANNER SCHOOL Frederick 0.7 mi 7.5
Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle Frederick 0.8 mi 7.3
Monocacy Middle Frederick 1.2 mi 6.3
Monocacy Elementary Frederick 1.2 mi 7.2
Monocacy Valley Montessori Frederick 1.3 mi 4.8
CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick 1.4 mi
Parkway Elementary Frederick 1.7 mi 7.5
Frederick High Frederick 1.6 mi 5.1
THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF FREDERICK Frederick 1.3 mi
West Frederick Middle Frederick 1.7 mi 6.7
ST JOHN REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Frederick 2.0 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary Frederick 2.1 mi 6.6
FREDERICK COUNTRY DAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Frederick 2.2 mi
Frederick Classical Charter Frederick 2.1 mi 9.3
Whittier Elementary Frederick 2.4 mi 7.0
Crestwood Middle Frederick 3.1 mi 5.6
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 2.7 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia, MD 6.9
WYE RIVER UPPER SCHOOL Centreville, MD 7.0
Post Secondary Program Westminster, MD 7.3
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown, MD 7.5
THE NORA SCHOOL Silver Spring, MD 6.2
CHELSEA SCHOOL Hyattsville, MD 7.7

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 ranks #540 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Heather Ridge's MySchoolScout rating?

Heather Ridge has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Heather Ridge?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Heather Ridge has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

Frederick County Public Schools
District Enrollment
47,681
Schools in District
69
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,233
District Rank
#34 of 67

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