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Excellent

#165 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 12% in state

Willards Elementary

Elementary School · Wicomico County Public Schools

36161 Richland Rd, Willards, MD 21874

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#165 of 1,363

In district

#2 of 25

Wicomico County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Willards Elementary

8.6/10

Elementary School in Willards · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pittsville Elementary & Middle

7.4/10

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

Indian River Intensive Learning Center

5.8/10

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

About Willards Elementary

Willards Elementary is a public elementary school in Willards, MD, part of Wicomico County Public Schools. Willards Elementary serves approximately 316 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Willards Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #165 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Willards Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Willards Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change+0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+22.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,486
Chronic Absenteeism29.4%

Willards Elementary — Students at Willards Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 37.8% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 35.7% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 18 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2014
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
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: 9.9/10.

How Willards Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
88th percentile in MD
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.4%

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

36161 Richland Rd, Willards, MD 21874

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willards Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Showell Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Buckingham Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Berlin), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 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 7.4
Indian River Intensive Learning Center Selbyville 8.4 mi 5.8
Southern Delaware School of the Arts Selbyville 8.5 mi 6.4
Buckingham Elementary Berlin 8.9 mi 8.3
WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin 9.0 mi 6.6
Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville 9.0 mi 8.0
Berlin Intermediate Berlin 9.0 mi 8.2
SALISBURY MENNONITE SCHOOL Delmar 8.7 mi
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 9.3 mi 7.7
Beaver Run School Salisbury 8.9 mi 5.9
Showell Elementary Berlin 8.9 mi 9.1
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 7.2
Stephen Decatur Middle Berlin 9.8 mi 9.3
THE SALISBURY SCHOOL Salisbury 9.7 mi 6.4
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 11.6 mi 7.2
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 11.8 mi 6.8
SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salisbury 10.4 mi 6.4
Indian River High School Dagsboro 12.3 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cashell Elementary Rockville, MD 8.6
Chapel District Elementary Cordova, MD 8.6
Forest Lakes Elementary Forest Hill, MD 8.6
Frost Elementary Frostburg, MD 8.6
Candlewood Elementary Rockville, MD 8.5
Chevy Chase Elementary Chevy Chase, MD 8.7

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 ranks #165 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Willards Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Willards Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Willards Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willards Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.4%

District

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

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