Bester Elementary School serves 491 students in grades Prekindergarten-5.
Bester Elementary School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 5% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 20%) for the 2020-21 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 11% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 36%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 66% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2023)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 491 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in MD
- Math Proficiency: 5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 11% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Bester Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Student Attention
School Overview
Bester Elementary School's student population of 491 students has declined by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 41 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(offers virtual instruction)
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
491 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
41 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
Bester Elementary School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1,343 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-21 school year.
The diversity score of Bester Elementary School is 0.74, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1157 out of 1343 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
20%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
36%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
n/a
7%
Hispanic
17%
20%
Black
27%
34%
White
36%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
19%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
78%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2020-2021 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bester Elementary School's ranking?
Bester Elementary School is ranked #1157 out of 1,343 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Maryland.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 20% MD state average), while 11% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 36% MD state average).
How many students attend Bester Elementary School?
491 students attend Bester Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Bester Elementary School students are White, 27% of students are Black, 19% of students are Two or more races, 17% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Bester Elementary School?
Bester Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Bester Elementary School offer ?
Bester Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Bester Elementary School part of?
Bester Elementary School is part of Washington County Public Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Bester Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
A Story of Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties
Follow the story of Sarah, a fictional character who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. This blog post explores the advantages and disadvantages of the three cueing system and provides strategies for implementing it effectively.
Voucher Program Update: Florida
Many states now offer voucher programs. We look at the voucher program available in Florida.
Standardized Tests
Standardized tests have a long history in American K-12 education. We examine what standardized tests evaluate and more.
