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Below Average

#1136 of 1,363 schools in MD

Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Frederick County Public Schools

3519 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755

Enrollment

506

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland elementary schools

#803 of 882

In district

#47 of 67

Frederick County Public Schools

Equity

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Valley Elementary

Valley Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Jefferson, Maryland, in the rural setting of Frederick County. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, Valley Elementary provides education to 506 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. The dedicated faculty includes 30 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support the academic and social development of each child.

According to MySchoolScout data, Valley Elementary ranks as the 540th best school out of 1364 in Maryland, placing it around the 60th percentile. The school's Academic Score is a solid 7.8/10, reflecting its commitment to student growth and development. In terms of proficiency rates, 51% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% meet or exceed standards in Math, indicating areas where the school has room for improvement but also shows dedication to enhancing academic performance.

Valley Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Jefferson, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Valley Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.3%
Math vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.2 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,981

Valley Elementary — Students at Valley Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

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 43.4%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 50.8%
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
58%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
42.4%
ELA
59.3%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in MD
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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 8.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Frederick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuscarora Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Frederick), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brunswick Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Brunswick), which scores notably higher. 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 5.8
Brunswick Middle Brunswick 4.3 mi 5.9
Brunswick High Brunswick 4.4 mi 3.9
Middletown Primary Middletown 5.4 mi 4.1
ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Middletown 5.7 mi 6.4
Middletown Elementary Middletown 5.9 mi 7.5
Middletown Middle Middletown 5.9 mi 4.8
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Frederick 5.3 mi 7.8
Middletown High Middletown 6.1 mi 4.3
Carroll Manor Elementary Adamstown 5.2 mi 6.0
Brunswick Elementary Brunswick 5.4 mi 8.0
Tuscarora High Frederick 5.6 mi 3.3
Tuscarora Elementary Frederick 5.6 mi 8.3
Butterfly Ridge Elementary Frederick 6.0 mi 8.8
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick 6.0 mi 4.8
THE SHEPPARD PRATT SCHOOL Frederick 6.3 mi
Waverley Elementary Frederick 6.6 mi 7.3
Hillcrest Elementary Frederick 6.3 mi 7.3
Orchard Grove Elementary Frederick 6.2 mi 7.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Elementary has a median household income of $134,677. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $493,700, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Carrollton Elementary New Carrollton, MD 4.9
Dorothy I. Height Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.9
Germantown Elementary Annapolis, MD 4.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Towson, MD 4.9
Longfellow Elementary Columbia, MD 4.9
MONSIGNOR SLADE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Glen Burnie, MD 4.9

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 is ranked #1136 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Elementary has 43.4% math proficiency and 50.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (436/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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