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Average

#539 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 40% in state

Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Frederick County Public Schools

3519 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755

Enrollment

506

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#539 of 1,363

In district

#33 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

Equity

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Valley Elementary

6.9/10

Elementary School in Jefferson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Frederick Baptist Academy

5.9/10

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

Brunswick Middle

6.3/10

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

About Valley Elementary

Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Jefferson, MD, part of Frederick County Public Schools. Valley Elementary serves approximately 506 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #539 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Valley Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Valley Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,233
Chronic Absenteeism15.6%

Valley Elementary — Students at Valley Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 66.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
97%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
44.3%
ELA
60.2%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in MD
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3519 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Butterfly Ridge Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Frederick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Middletown Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Grove Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Frederick), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Jefferson, see our Jefferson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
FREDERICK BAPTIST ACADEMY Frederick 3.8 mi 5.9
Brunswick Middle Brunswick 4.3 mi 6.3
Brunswick High Brunswick 4.4 mi 6.2
Middletown Primary Middletown 5.4 mi 5.0
ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Middletown 5.7 mi 6.4
Middletown Elementary Middletown 5.9 mi 8.5
Middletown Middle Middletown 5.9 mi 6.9
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Frederick 5.3 mi 7.8
Middletown High Middletown 6.1 mi 6.8
Carroll Manor Elementary Adamstown 5.2 mi 6.6
Brunswick Elementary Brunswick 5.4 mi 6.8
Tuscarora High Frederick 5.6 mi 5.7
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 5.6 mi 6.4
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 6.0 mi 9.2
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick 6.0 mi 5.4
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 6.3 mi
Waverley Elementary Frederick 6.6 mi 4.6
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 6.3 mi 6.0
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 6.2 mi 7.1
FREDERICK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Frederick 6.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,677

Median Home Value

$493,700

Median Rent

$1,268/mo

Population

5,740

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

84.8%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

44.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chesapeake City Elementary Chesapeake City, MD 6.9
Edgewater Elementary Edgewater, MD 6.9
Harford Heights Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.9
Laytonsville Elementary Gaithersburg, MD 6.9
Maya Angelou French Immersion Temple Hills, MD 6.9
Medfield Heights Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Elementary

What grades does Valley Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Valley Elementary?

Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 506 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Elementary is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Elementary rank in MD?

Valley Elementary ranks #539 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Elementary 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 Valley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

28.1% of students at Valley 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Frederick County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

District

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

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