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Average

#553 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 41% in state

Western Heights Middle

Middle School · Washington County Public Schools

1300 Marshall St, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Enrollment

887

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#553 of 1,363

In Hagerstown

#12 of 22

public schools

In district

#23 of 42

Washington County Public Schools

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Western Heights Middle

6.9/10

Middle School in Hagerstown · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Marshall Street School

2.5/10

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

Washington County Job Development Center

7.5/10

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

About Western Heights Middle

Western Heights Middle is a public middle school in Hagerstown, MD, part of Washington County Public Schools. Western Heights Middle serves approximately 887 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Heights Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #553 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Western Heights Middle show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Western Heights Middle 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 Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937
Chronic Absenteeism36.4%

Western Heights Middle — Students at Western Heights Middle score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 47.6% (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
68%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
34%
2025
Math
15.2%
ELA
43.7%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Western Heights Middle Compares

See how Western Heights Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in MD
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

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

1300 Marshall St, Hagerstown, MD 21740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Heights Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (rated 9.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fountaindale Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jonathan Hager Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hagerstown, see our Hagerstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Marshall Street School Hagerstown 0.1 mi 2.5
Washington County Job Development Center Hagerstown 0.1 mi 7.5
Salem Avenue Elementary Hagerstown 0.5 mi 6.4
TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown 0.8 mi 6.4
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown 0.7 mi 6.3
Fountaindale Elementary Hagerstown 0.8 mi 8.5
ST MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.0 mi 6.6
Northern Middle Hagerstown 0.9 mi 7.5
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.1 mi 5.3
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown 1.3 mi 9.1
HAGERSTOWN CHILDRENS SCHOOL Hagerstown 1.5 mi
Bester Elementary Hagerstown 1.9 mi 4.8
Jonathan Hager Elementary Hagerstown 1.5 mi 8.1
Maugansville Elementary Maugansville 2.2 mi 6.3
Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown 1.8 mi 6.1
GRACE ACADEMY Hagerstown 2.2 mi 7.1
Pangborn Elementary Hagerstown 2.2 mi 4.9
South Hagerstown High Hagerstown 2.7 mi 4.7
Paramount Elementary Hagerstown 2.4 mi 7.5
Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown 3.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,410

Median Home Value

$241,600

Median Rent

$1,031/mo

Population

63,140

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

55.2%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

38.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Calvert Middle Prince Frederick, MD 6.9
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Germantown, MD 6.9
Middletown Middle Middletown, MD 6.9
Newport Mill Middle Kensington, MD 6.9
Northern Middle Owings, MD 6.9
Parkland Middle Rockville, MD 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Heights Middle

What grades does Western Heights Middle serve?

Western Heights Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Western Heights Middle?

Western Heights Middle has an enrollment of approximately 887 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Heights Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Western Heights Middle is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western Heights Middle rank in MD?

Western Heights Middle ranks #553 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Western Heights Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Heights Middle 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 Western Heights Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Heights Middle has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Western Heights Middle a charter school?

No, Western Heights Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Western Heights Middle a Title I school?

No, Western Heights Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Heights Middle?

77.8% of students at Western Heights Middle 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
20 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
887
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
22,549
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,937
District Rank
#23 of 42

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