Skip to main content

Excellent

#205 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 15% in state

Willards Elementary

Elementary School · Wicomico County Public Schools

36161 Richland Rd, Willards, MD 21874

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland elementary schools

#200 of 882

In district

#3 of 25

Wicomico County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Willards Elementary

Willards Elementary is a public elementary school in Willards, MD, part of the Wicomico County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 316 students in grades Pre-K – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 85th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 36% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 40% in reading/language arts, 12 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $74,545, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Willards 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 Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.4%
Math vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,780

Willards Elementary — Students at Willards Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.6%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
58.5%
ELA
59.4%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Willards Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
85th percentile in MD
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

36161 Richland Rd, Willards, MD 21874

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willards Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Buckingham Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Showell Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Selbyville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Willards, see our Willards schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pittsville Elementary & Middle Pittsville 3.4 mi 7.6
Indian River Intensive Learning Center Selbyville 8.4 mi 5.7
Southern Delaware School of the Arts Selbyville 8.5 mi 5.4
Buckingham Elementary Berlin 8.9 mi 9.1
WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin 9.0 mi 6.5
Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville 9.0 mi 7.3
Berlin Intermediate Berlin 9.0 mi 6.7
SALISBURY MENNONITE SCHOOL Delmar 8.7 mi
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 9.3 mi 6.0
Beaver Run School Salisbury 8.9 mi 6.0
Showell Elementary Berlin 8.9 mi 8.7
MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin 9.1 mi 4.1
SALISBURY BAPTIST ACADEMY Salisbury 9.4 mi 5.3
Stephen Decatur High Berlin 9.7 mi 5.1
Stephen Decatur Middle Berlin 9.8 mi 8.4
THE SALISBURY SCHOOL Salisbury 9.7 mi 6.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 11.6 mi 7.1
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 11.8 mi 5.8
SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury 10.4 mi 6.4
Indian River High School Dagsboro 12.3 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21874 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,545

Median Home Value

$219,500

Median Rent

$1,480/mo

Population

1,847

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

26%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willards Elementary has a median household income of $74,545. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,500, with a median rent of $1,480/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Churchville Elementary Churchville, MD 8.2
Darnestown Elementary Gaithersburg, MD 8.2
Glendale Elementary Glen Burnie, MD 8.2
Heather Hills Elementary Bowie, MD 8.2
Lakewood Elementary Rockville, MD 8.2
Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville, MD 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willards Elementary

What grades does Willards Elementary serve?

Willards Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Willards Elementary?

Willards Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willards Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Willards Elementary is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willards Elementary rank in MD?

Willards Elementary is ranked #205 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Willards Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Willards Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Willards Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willards Elementary has 35.6% math proficiency and 39.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willards Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Willards Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

55.4% of students at Willards 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (502/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Wicomico County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wicomico County Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,086
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,486
District Rank
#3 of 25

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

Get 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.