Western Heights Middle

Summary:

Western Heights Middle is a public magnet middle school located in Hagerstown, Maryland, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 903 and is part of the Washington County Public Schools district.

While Western Heights Middle has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with 41.31% White, 23.03% African American, 18.6% Hispanic, and 14.95% two or more races, its academic performance as measured by MCAP test scores is generally lower than surrounding schools like Boonsboro Middle, Clear Spring Middle, and Middletown Middle. For example, only 10% of Western Heights Middle students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 38.4% at Boonsboro Middle, 36.6% at Clear Spring Middle, and 41.9% at Middletown Middle. The school also has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 77.41%, much higher than the nearby schools.

Despite the higher spending per student at Western Heights Middle ($12,791) compared to the nearby schools, the school's statewide ranking has been declining, from 158th out of 328 Maryland middle schools in 2017-2018 to 203rd out of 328 in 2023-2024. The school's performance is particularly low for male students, African American students, White students, and students of low socioeconomic status, all ranking in the bottom quarter of Maryland middle schools in these categories. However, the school's students perform relatively well in Algebra I and Geometry, suggesting a focus on these advanced math courses.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

 1300 Marshall St
       Hagerstown, MD  21740-3509


(301) 766-8403

District: Washington County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
203rd of 328 Maryland Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,287 Help


Students who attend Western Heights Middle usually attend:

High:    North Hagerstown High

Feeder schools for Western Heights Middle:

Elementary:    Fountaindale Elementary
    Salem Avenue Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  15.4 Help
Number of students:  903

Racial breakdown:

White:
41.3%
African American:
23.0%
Hispanic:
18.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  77.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Western Heights Middle ranks worse than 61.9% of middle schools in Maryland. It also ranks last among 7 ranked middle schools in the Washington County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.45. (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 Western Heights Middle has the largest middle school student body size in the Washington County Public Schools District. Student population at Western Heights Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (41.3%), African American (23%), Hispanic (18.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 77.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Washington County Public Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Western Heights Middle is 15.4. 4 middle schools in the Washington County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Western Heights Middle employs 58.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Western Heights Middle is $17,287. 4 middle schools in the Washington County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Western Heights Middle was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Western Heights Middle 203rd of 328 Maryland public middle schools. (See Western Heights Middle in the ranking list.)

Washington County Public Schools:

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


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Rank History for Western Heights Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 61.83 101st 252 59.9%
2005 61.41 104th 255 59.2%
2006 63.93 86th 254 66.1%
2007 63.86 90th 264 65.9%
2008 29.28 224th 283 20.8%
2009 51.04 176th 301 41.5%
2010 39.86 223rd 324 31.2%
2011 35.95 214th 309 30.7%
2012 46.01 186th 314 40.8%
2013 46.92 176th 316 44.3%
2014 47.47 202nd 339 40.4%
2015 27.40 225th 315 28.6%
2016 29.33 222nd 314 29.3%
2017 42.44 180th 317 43.2%
2018 48.65 158th 328 51.8%
2019 37.79 184th 316 41.8%
2021 33.55 198th 303 34.7%
2022 41.06 190th 333 42.9%
2023 31.59 197th 322 38.8%
2024 30.45 203rd 328 38.1%
See the entire list of Maryland Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 13.85 131st 136 3.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 35.22 196th 273 28.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.43 2nd 2 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 39.56 174th 303 42.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 27.48 212th 288 26.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 29.30 193rd 259 25.5%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 41.92 108th 207 47.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Western Heights Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 15.04 187th 210 11.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle 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.

Western Heights Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Open Quote This school is amazing. I have went here for two years and I am about to go to North Hagerstown High School and I am going to miss this school. All the teachers and all of the students are working rally hard to improve the school. I am really proud of WESTERN HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Western Heights Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 398 16 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 414
1990 404 12 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1991 433 12 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 446
1992 578 18 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 602
1993 577 27 6 0 0 n/a n/a 0 610
1994 572 27 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 604
1995 579 42 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 628
1996 579 42 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 628
1997 621 66 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 696
1998 636 76 12 8 0 n/a n/a 0 732
1999 591 93 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 697
2000 601 106 9 15 0 n/a n/a 0 731
2001 586 112 5 20 0 n/a n/a 0 723
2002 566 90 5 22 0 n/a n/a 0 683
2003 566 90 5 22 0 n/a n/a 0 683
2004 586 94 4 20 0 n/a n/a 0 704
2005 569 123 4 23 1 n/a n/a 0 720
2006 477 120 5 13 2 n/a n/a 0 617
2007 441 153 1 22 1 n/a n/a 0 618
2008 422 182 8 39 1 n/a n/a 0 652
2009 423 208 10 39 1 n/a n/a 0 681
2010 418 212 9 38 3 n/a n/a 0 680
2011 384 182 7 49 1 0 48 0 671
2012 383 180 4 55 2 0 68 0 692
2013 385 183 2 66 1 0 78 0 715
2014 403 177 4 60 2 1 90 0 737
2015 389 153 3 68 4 0 95 0 712
2016 407 147 8 63 3 0 112 0 740
2017 442 154 20 74 2 0 120 0 812
2018 469 165 21 90 1 0 114 0 860
2019 491 206 21 128 0 0 124 0 970
2020 481 235 19 160 0 0 106 0 1001
2021 440 234 17 149 0 1 109 0 950
2022 403 239 17 164 0 1 118 0 942
2023 373 208 18 168 1 0 135 0 903

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 Western Heights Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 414 30.5 13.5 n/a
1990 417 30.0 13.9 35.3
1991 446 36.0 12.3 37.2
1992 602 37.5 16.0 32.2
1993 610 37.5 16.3 31.8
1994 604 37.0 16.3 36.9
1995 628 40.0 15.7 40.8
1996 628 40.0 15.7 40.8
1997 696 42.0 16.6 37.6
1998 732 45.0 16.3 33.7
1999 697 45.0 15.5 43.2
2000 731 49.0 14.9 46.4
2001 723 47.0 15.4 47.3
2002 683 50.0 13.7 48.3
2003 683 50.0 13.7 48.3
2004 704 51.0 13.8 52.6
2005 720 51.0 14.1 58.1
2006 617 45.0 13.7 59.5
2007 618 44.0 14.0 60.5
2008 652 49.0 13.3 63.2
2009 681 60.0 11.4 64.5
2010 680 62.0 10.9 62.9
2011 671 65.0 10.3 69.6
2012 692 52.0 13.3 65.8
2013 715 52.0 13.7 70.1
2014 737 51.0 14.4 67.3
2015 712 49.0 14.5 70.4
2016 740 48.0 15.4 65.5
2017 812 45.6 17.8 59.4
2018 860 45.6 18.8 57
2019 970 50.7 19.1 54.4
2020 1001 54.5 18.3 63.2
2021 950 58.5 16.2 69.3
2022 942 58.5 16.1 69.3
2023 903 58.5 15.4 77.4

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 Western Heights Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 414 30.5 13.5 n/a
1990 417 30.0 13.9 35.3
1991 446 36.0 12.3 37.2
1992 602 37.5 16.0 32.2
1993 610 37.5 16.3 31.8
1994 604 37.0 16.3 36.9
1995 628 40.0 15.7 40.8
1996 628 40.0 15.7 40.8
1997 696 42.0 16.6 37.6
1998 732 45.0 16.3 33.7
1999 697 45.0 15.5 43.2
2000 731 49.0 14.9 46.4
2001 723 47.0 15.4 47.3
2002 683 50.0 13.7 48.3
2003 683 50.0 13.7 48.3
2004 704 51.0 13.8 52.6
2005 720 51.0 14.1 58.1
2006 617 45.0 13.7 59.5
2007 618 44.0 14.0 60.5
2008 652 49.0 13.3 63.2
2009 681 60.0 11.4 64.5
2010 680 62.0 10.9 62.9
2011 671 65.0 10.3 69.6
2012 692 52.0 13.3 65.8
2013 715 52.0 13.7 70.1
2014 737 51.0 14.4 67.3
2015 712 49.0 14.5 70.4
2016 740 48.0 15.4 65.5
2017 812 45.6 17.8 59.4
2018 860 45.6 18.8 57
2019 970 50.7 19.1 54.4
2020 1001 54.5 18.3 63.2
2021 950 58.5 16.2 69.3
2022 942 58.5 16.1 69.3
2023 903 58.5 15.4 77.4

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 Western Heights Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $760 (6.6%) $10,680 (93.3%) $11,441
2020 $556 (5.1%) $10,372 (95.1%) $10,902
2021 $1,829 (14.3%) $10,989 (85.9%) $12,791
2022 $1,285 (9.0%) $13,049 (91.0%) $14,334
2023 $3,494 (20.2%) $13,793 (79.8%) $17,287

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Heights Middle

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 184th of 316 Middle schoolsRanks 197th of 322 Middle schools
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students970903
 6.9%
African American206208
 1%
American Indian01
Asian2118
 14.3%
Hispanic128168
 31.3%
Pacific Islander00
White491373
 24%
Two or More Races124135
 8.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.4%77.4%
 23%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Western Heights Middle

Western Heights Middle ranks 203rd of 328 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Western Heights Middle usually go on to attend North Hagerstown High

Students at Western Heights Middle are 41% White, 23% African American, 19% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 903 students attended Western Heights Middle.


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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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