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Bester Elementary

Summary:

Bester Elementary is a public elementary school in Hagerstown, Maryland, serving 494 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Washington County Public Schools district, which is ranked 12th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bester Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom quartile of Maryland elementary schools, with significantly below-average performance on state assessments. In 2023-2024, only 10.1% of Bester students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 25.6% for the district and 24.1% for the state. The school's performance is particularly low for African American and White student subgroups, ranking in the bottom 10-20% of Maryland elementary schools in these categories. Bester's high poverty rate, with 80-88% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, is likely a contributing factor to its academic challenges.

While Bester Elementary has a relatively low student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools like Jonathan Hager Elementary, Hickory Elementary, and Eastern Elementary, these other schools significantly outperform Bester on academic measures. Despite increased spending per student at Bester, from $13,943 in 2018-2019 to $16,986 in 2020-2021, the school's academic outcomes have not yet improved, suggesting that factors beyond just funding may be contributing to its challenges.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 385 Mill St
       Hagerstown, MD  21740

(301) 766-8001

District: Washington County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
800th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $21,025 Help


Students who attend Bester Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    E. Russell Hicks Middle
High:    South Hagerstown High

Student/teacher ratio:  11.2 Help
Number of students:  494

Racial breakdown:

White:
34.6%
African American:
26.3%
Hispanic:
19.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  88.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bester Elementary ranks worse than 93.1% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks last among 24 ranked elementary schools in the Washington County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.34. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Bester Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (34.6%), African American (26.3%), Hispanic (19.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 88.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bester Elementary is 11.2, which is the lowest among 25 elementary schools in the Washington County Public Schools District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Bester Elementary employs 44 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bester Elementary is $21,025, which is the highest among 25 elementary schools in the Washington County Public Schools District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Bester Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Washington County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Washington County Public Schools 12th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Bester Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 84.59 58th 803 92.8%
2005 79.09 149th 805 81.5%
2006 72.57 221st 804 72.5%
2007 72.95 206th 818 74.8%
2008 38.25 593rd 838 29.2%
2009 35.47 619th 850 27.2%
2010 29.86 674th 855 21.2%
2011 10.96 795th 853 6.8%
2012 13.83 778th 857 9.2%
2013 5.22 826th 847 2.5%
2014 10.66 793rd 867 8.5%
2015 14.05 781st 859 9.1%
2016 12.89 765th 845 9.5%
2017 13.52 757th 847 10.6%
2018 13.56 755th 857 11.9%
2019 11.03 782nd 853 8.3%
2021 16.83 676th 802 15.7%
2022 25.64 619th 862 28.2%
2023 14.14 746th 855 12.7%
2024 11.34 800th 859 6.9%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 27.46 35th 52 32.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 30.56 413th 546 24.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.07 670th 796 15.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.85 648th 788 17.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.46 467th 504 7.3%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 27.84 265th 347 23.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Bester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 12.04 492nd 528 6.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Bester Elementary Test Scores
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
50%

0%

50%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, April 5, 2018

Open Quote Teachers are amazing and truly care about the children and how they are doing. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Bester Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 533 42 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 583
1990 546 24 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 579
1991 554 23 9 1 0 n/a n/a 0 587
1992 567 24 11 2 0 n/a n/a 0 604
1993 576 36 2 8 1 n/a n/a 0 623
1994 583 41 2 13 0 n/a n/a 0 639
1995 495 36 3 13 0 n/a n/a 0 547
1996 495 36 3 13 0 n/a n/a 0 547
1997 515 33 4 11 1 n/a n/a 0 564
1998 484 55 7 13 2 n/a n/a 0 561
1999 483 71 8 13 4 n/a n/a 0 579
2000 427 78 3 12 3 n/a n/a 0 523
2001 416 63 7 15 3 n/a n/a 0 504
2002 407 104 2 15 5 n/a n/a 0 533
2003 407 104 2 15 5 n/a n/a 0 533
2004 386 115 2 18 6 n/a n/a 0 527
2005 392 139 2 24 3 n/a n/a 0 560
2006 397 129 3 26 5 n/a n/a 0 560
2007 396 167 3 42 3 n/a n/a 0 611
2008 404 173 4 31 3 n/a n/a 0 615
2009 329 174 1 26 3 n/a n/a 0 533
2010 310 173 1 17 4 n/a n/a 0 505
2011 301 118 0 39 1 0 84 0 543
2012 242 90 0 40 0 0 64 0 436
2013 249 104 0 44 0 1 76 0 474
2014 238 123 0 50 0 0 74 0 485
2015 246 147 0 54 0 0 99 0 546
2016 261 175 0 58 2 0 94 0 590
2017 277 162 0 64 2 0 99 0 604
2018 268 178 1 69 2 0 100 0 618
2019 248 163 2 77 3 0 121 0 614
2020 210 145 2 90 2 0 121 0 570
2021 176 131 2 85 3 0 94 0 491
2022 183 147 0 88 3 0 103 0 524
2023 171 130 0 96 1 1 95 0 494

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bester Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 583 30.0 19.4 n/a
1990 579 30.0 19.3 34.9
1991 587 32.0 18.3 36.5
1992 604 31.6 19.1 48.3
1993 623 36.1 17.3 46.9
1994 639 34.5 18.5 53.7
1995 547 41.0 13.3 56.7
1996 547 41.0 13.3 56.7
1997 564 43.3 13.0 55.5
1998 561 38.3 14.6 48.3
1999 579 38.3 15.1 57.3
2000 523 40.9 12.8 58.5
2001 504 36.0 14.0 55.6
2002 533 38.0 14.0 66.4
2003 533 38.0 14.0 66.4
2004 527 34.5 15.3 72.3
2005 560 37.0 15.1 78
2006 560 38.0 14.7 77.5
2007 611 43.0 14.2 73.5
2008 615 43.5 14.1 81.3
2009 533 40.0 13.3 85.7
2010 505 43.0 11.7 88.9
2011 543 44.0 12.3 85.5
2012 436 38.0 11.4 77.8
2013 474 35.0 13.5 78.1
2014 485 36.0 13.4 91.5
2015 546 39.0 14.0 100
2016 590 38.0 15.5 99.5
2017 604 38.9 15.5 100
2018 618 39.0 15.8 100
2019 614 40.0 15.3 100
2020 570 41.0 13.9 79.8
2021 491 41.0 11.9 80
2022 524 39.0 13.4 82.1
2023 494 44.0 11.2 88.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bester Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 583 30.0 19.4 n/a
1990 579 30.0 19.3 34.9
1991 587 32.0 18.3 36.5
1992 604 31.6 19.1 48.3
1993 623 36.1 17.3 46.9
1994 639 34.5 18.5 53.7
1995 547 41.0 13.3 56.7
1996 547 41.0 13.3 56.7
1997 564 43.3 13.0 55.5
1998 561 38.3 14.6 48.3
1999 579 38.3 15.1 57.3
2000 523 40.9 12.8 58.5
2001 504 36.0 14.0 55.6
2002 533 38.0 14.0 66.4
2003 533 38.0 14.0 66.4
2004 527 34.5 15.3 72.3
2005 560 37.0 15.1 78
2006 560 38.0 14.7 77.5
2007 611 43.0 14.2 73.5
2008 615 43.5 14.1 81.3
2009 533 40.0 13.3 85.7
2010 505 43.0 11.7 88.9
2011 543 44.0 12.3 85.5
2012 436 38.0 11.4 77.8
2013 474 35.0 13.5 78.1
2014 485 36.0 13.4 91.5
2015 546 39.0 14.0 100
2016 590 38.0 15.5 99.5
2017 604 38.9 15.5 100
2018 618 39.0 15.8 100
2019 614 40.0 15.3 100
2020 570 41.0 13.9 79.8
2021 491 41.0 11.9 80
2022 524 39.0 13.4 82.1
2023 494 44.0 11.2 88.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bester Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,601 (18.7%) $11,342 (81.3%) $13,943
2020 $2,561 (17.9%) $11,747 (82.3%) $14,282
2021 $3,628 (21.4%) $13,385 (78.8%) $16,986
2022 $3,856 (21.7%) $13,928 (78.3%) $17,784
2023 $4,814 (22.9%) $16,211 (77.1%) $21,025

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bester Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 782nd of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 746th of 855 Elementary schools
 4.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students614494
 19.5%
African American163130
 20.2%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian20
 100%
Hispanic7796
 24.7%
Pacific Islander01
White248171
 31%
Two or More Races12195
 21.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%88.5%
 11.5%

Schools Near Bester Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Bester Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 494 students attended Bester Elementary.

Students at Bester Elementary are 35% White, 26% African American, 19% Hispanic, 19% Two or more races.

Students who attend Bester Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : E. Russell Hicks Middle
High : South Hagerstown High

Bester Elementary ranks in the bottom 6.9% of Maryland elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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