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Excellent

#226 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 17% in state

Potomac Heights Elementary

Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools

301 E Magnolia Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hagerstown

#1 of 22

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#220 of 882

In district

#5 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Potomac Heights Elementary

Potomac Heights Elementary serves 336 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Hagerstown, Maryland. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #253 out of 1,364 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile.

With an academic score of 6.9 out of 10, Potomac Heights shows particular strength in reading and language arts, where 32% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 27% of students meeting proficiency standards. Located on East Magnolia Avenue, the school sits within Washington County's 21742 ZIP code area, home to approximately 34,549 residents.

The surrounding community reflects middle-class stability, with a median household income of $80,306 and median home values around $268,300. About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.4%. Potomac Heights Elementary operates in a mid-size suburban setting that offers families a balance of community feel and access to resources in the greater Hagerstown area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.7%
Math vs. State Avg+23 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+31.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,838

Potomac Heights Elementary — Students at Potomac Heights Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.6%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 39.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 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
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
53.2%
ELA
61.7%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Potomac Heights Elementary Compares

See how Potomac Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in MD
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

301 E Magnolia Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potomac Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Salem Avenue Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pangborn Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ruth Ann Monroe Primary (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown 1.3 mi 7.8
Northern Middle Hagerstown 1.1 mi 7.0
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown 1.2 mi 5.5
HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.5 mi
Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown 1.5 mi 5.2
Paramount Elementary Hagerstown 1.9 mi 7.2
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 1.6 mi 6.5
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.7 mi 5.3
ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.8 mi 6.6
Eastern Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 5.4
Western Heights Middle Hagerstown 1.8 mi 5.9
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 2.0 mi 6.1
Ruth Ann Monroe Primary Hagerstown 2.3 mi 7.3
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 1.9 mi 4.3
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 1.9 mi 7.3
TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown 2.1 mi 6.4
Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 8.0
PARADISE MENNONITE SCHOOL Hagerstown 3.3 mi 4.5
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown 3.1 mi 3.6
Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown 3.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21742 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,533

Median Home Value

$280,100

Median Rent

$1,267/mo

Population

35,114

College Educated

29.9%

Homeownership

66.6%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Potomac Heights Elementary has a median household income of $80,533. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,100, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Barnaby Manor Elementary Oxon Hill, MD 8.1
FRIENDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL College Park, MD 8.1
Hollywood Elementary Hollywood, MD 8.1
Kent Island Elementary School Stevensville, MD 8.1
Manor View Elementary Ft. Meade, MD 8.1
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potomac Heights Elementary

What grades does Potomac Heights Elementary serve?

Potomac Heights Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Potomac Heights Elementary?

Potomac Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potomac Heights Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potomac Heights Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potomac Heights Elementary rank in MD?

Potomac Heights Elementary is ranked #226 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Potomac Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potomac Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Potomac Heights Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potomac Heights Elementary has 33.6% math proficiency and 39.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Potomac Heights Elementary a charter school?

No, Potomac Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Potomac Heights Elementary a Title I school?

No, Potomac Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potomac Heights Elementary?

74.4% of students at Potomac Heights 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
15 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,177/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
22,549
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
District Rank
#5 of 42

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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