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Average

#555 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 41% 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

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#555 of 1,363

In Cumberland

#4 of 9

public schools

In district

#11 of 22

Allegany County Public Schools

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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West Side Elementary

6.8/10

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

Beginnings Montessori School

Nearby

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

Braddock Middle

7.6/10

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

About West Side Elementary

West Side Elementary is a public elementary school in Cumberland, MD, part of Allegany County Public Schools. West Side Elementary serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. West Side Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #555 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for West Side Elementary show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at West Side Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.3% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,290
Chronic Absenteeism36.3%

West Side Elementary — Students at West Side Elementary score 37% 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

70.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 56.3% (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
92%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
27.5%
ELA
47.3%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How West Side Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in MD
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

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

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 Cash Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Lavale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northeast Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 7.6
South Penn Elementary Cumberland 1.3 mi 5.0
BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL,K-12/DIOCESE Cumberland 1.2 mi 4.5
Allegany High Cumberland 1.3 mi 6.2
John Humbird Elementary Cumberland 1.7 mi 6.7
Fort Hill High Cumberland 1.4 mi 5.1
Washington Middle Cumberland 1.6 mi 6.5
Northeast Elementary Cumberland 2.1 mi 8.0
Wiley Ford Primary School Wiley Ford 2.7 mi 6.1
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumberland 2.6 mi 4.4
Cash Valley Elementary Lavale 2.6 mi 8.2
Parkside Elementary Lavale 3.0 mi 9.0
Center for Career & Technical Education Cresaptown 4.4 mi 4.7
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cresaptown 4.7 mi 3.9
Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown 5.2 mi 7.4
Frankfort High School Ridgeley 7.2 mi 7.0
Bel Air Elementary Cumberland 6.5 mi 7.1
Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley 7.7 mi 5.3
Mount Savage Middle Mount Savage 6.7 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Church Hill Elementary School Church Hill, MD 6.8
Northwestern Elementary Mardela Springs, MD 6.8
Overlook Elementary Temple Hills, MD 6.8
ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda, MD 6.8
Bedford Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.7
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia, MD 6.7

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 ranks #555 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is West Side Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Side Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 West Side Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Side Elementary has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

District

Allegany County Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,205
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,290
District Rank
#11 of 22

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