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Needs Improvement

#1352 of 1,363 schools in MD

Tuscarora High

High School · Frederick County Public Schools

5312 Ballenger Creek Pk, Frederick, MD 21703

Enrollment

1,719

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Frederick

#30 of 30

public schools

Maryland high schools

#222 of 226

In district

#65 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

About Tuscarora High

Tuscarora High School serves 1,719 students in grades 9-12 in Frederick, Maryland, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 and 96 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 59th percentile among Maryland high schools at #562 out of 1,364 statewide. Academically, Tuscarora High demonstrates solid performance in English Language Arts, with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 34% of students performing at proficient levels or higher. The school's overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement with room for continued improvement. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $103,028 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a low poverty rate of 7.6% and median home values around $343,900, the surrounding area provides a stable foundation for educational pursuits. Located on Ballenger Creek Pike in Frederick County, Tuscarora High School operates as a regular public school in a thriving mid-size suburban setting that balances accessibility with the resources and opportunities of a growing Maryland community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-6.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.7%
Math vs. State Avg-24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,981

Tuscarora High — Students at Tuscarora High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.1%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 66.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
5.4%
ELA
55.7%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Tuscarora High Compares

See how Tuscarora High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
1th percentile in MD
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
96 teachers

Location

5312 Ballenger Creek Pk, Frederick, MD 21703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tuscarora High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC PREP (rated 6.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Buckeystown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frederick High (rated 3.5/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Frederick, see our Frederick schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 0.5 mi 8.3
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick 0.6 mi 4.8
Ballenger Creek Elementary Frederick 0.8 mi 5.9
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 1.2 mi 7.8
FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick 1.6 mi 5.0
LAUREL HALL SCHOOL - FREDERICK Frederick 1.6 mi 7.2
LAUREL HALL SCHOOL Frederick 1.6 mi 6.7
Crestwood Middle Frederick 1.6 mi 4.4
Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick 1.7 mi 6.1
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 2.2 mi 8.8
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 2.3 mi
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 2.3 mi 7.3
FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick 2.2 mi 5.8
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC PREP Buckeystown 2.7 mi 6.3
West Frederick Middle Frederick 2.7 mi 4.5
Lincoln Elementary Frederick 2.6 mi 9.0
Frederick High Frederick 2.9 mi 3.5
Parkway Elementary Frederick 2.9 mi 6.5
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Frederick 3.1 mi 7.8
CALVARY WEEKDAY SCHOOL Frederick 3.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,293

Median Home Value

$364,300

Median Rent

$1,887/mo

Population

41,766

College Educated

42.9%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tuscarora High has a median household income of $105,293. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,300, with a median rent of $1,887/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Gov. Thomas Johnson High Frederick, MD 3.3
Frederick High Frederick, MD 3.5
North Caroline High School Ridgely, MD 3.6
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD 3.6
Williamsport High Williamsport, MD 3.6
Digital Harbor High School Baltimore, MD 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tuscarora High

What grades does Tuscarora High serve?

Tuscarora High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tuscarora High?

Tuscarora High has an enrollment of approximately 1,719 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tuscarora High?

The student-teacher ratio at Tuscarora High is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tuscarora High rank in MD?

Tuscarora High is ranked #1352 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Tuscarora High's MySchoolScout rating?

Tuscarora High has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Tuscarora High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tuscarora High has 39.1% math proficiency and 66.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tuscarora High a charter school?

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

Is Tuscarora High a Title I school?

No, Tuscarora High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tuscarora High?

39.3% of students at Tuscarora High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,084/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,719
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
96
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Frederick County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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