Very Good
#411 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 30% in state
West Side Elementary
Elementary School · Allegany County Public Schools
425 Paca St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cumberland
#5 of 9
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#394 of 882
In district
#8 of 22
Allegany County Public Schools
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About West Side Elementary
West Side Elementary is a regular public school located in Cumberland, Maryland, in the heart of Allegany County. The school serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade and has an enrollment of 306 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, West Side Elementary provides a supportive learning environment for its young scholars.
The school's academic performance reflects areas where growth is needed, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 5.8 out of 10 and placing it at the 55th percentile among Maryland schools. In ELA/Reading, 42% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 27% meet proficiency standards. These numbers suggest that West Side Elementary is focusing on student development and academic improvement.
West Side Elementary is situated in a remote town setting, offering a close-knit community where families know each other well. The school's environment fosters strong relationships between teachers, students, and parents, creating a nurturing atmosphere for learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
West Side Elementary — Students at West Side Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.5/10.
How West Side Elementary Compares
See how West Side Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 34% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 55.3% (2025).
Location
425 Paca St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Side Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkside Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Lavale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northeast Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bel Air Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cumberland, see our Cumberland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cumberland | 0.3 mi | — |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| South Penn Elementary Cumberland | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL,K-12/DIOCESE Cumberland | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Allegany High Cumberland | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| John Humbird Elementary Cumberland | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Fort Hill High Cumberland | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Washington Middle Cumberland | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Northeast Elementary Cumberland | 2.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Wiley Ford Primary School Wiley Ford | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumberland | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Cash Valley Elementary Lavale | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Parkside Elementary Lavale | 3.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Center for Career & Technical Education Cresaptown | 4.4 mi | 4.0 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cresaptown | 4.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Frankfort High School Ridgeley | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Bel Air Elementary Cumberland | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley | 7.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Mount Savage Middle Mount Savage | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,721
Median Home Value
$151,400
Median Rent
$771/mo
Population
41,810
College Educated
20.3%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Side Elementary has a median household income of $58,721. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,400, with a median rent of $771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia, MD | 7.3 |
| Choptank Elementary School Cambridge, MD | 7.3 |
| Doswell E. Brooks Elementary Capital Heights, MD | 7.3 |
| George T. Cromwell Elementary Glen Burnie, MD | 7.3 |
| Robert W. Coleman Elementary Baltimore, MD | 7.3 |
| St. Michaels Elementary St. Michaels, MD | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Side Elementary
What grades does West Side Elementary serve?
West Side Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Side Elementary?
West Side Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Side Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Side Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Side Elementary rank in MD?
West Side Elementary is ranked #411 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is West Side Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Side Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 West Side Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Side Elementary has 28.8% math proficiency and 44.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Side Elementary a charter school?
No, West Side Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Side Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Side Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Side Elementary?
70.9% of students at West Side 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 80 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 23 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 52 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,426/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cumberland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Allegany County
- Phone
- (301) 724-0340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allegany County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,205
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,290
- District Rank
- #8 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.