Bester Elementary School
Tel:
(301) 766-8001
- Bester Elementary School serves 618 students in grades Prekindergarten-5.
- The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 12% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 41%) for the 2016-17 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 18% (which is lower than the Maryland state average of 41%) for the 2016-17 school year.
- 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 2017-18 school year.
- The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 15:1.
- Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 63% (majority Black).
Top Placements
Bester Elementary School places among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
School Overview
- Bester Elementary School's student population of 618 students has grown by 13% over five school years.
- The teacher population of 39 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
| Grades Offered | Grades Prekindergarten-5 |
| Total Students | 618 students |
| |
| Gender % |
|
| Total Classroom Teachers | 39 teachers |
| |
| Students by Grade |
|
School Comparison
- Bester Elementary School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1,359 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2017-18 school year.
- The diversity score of Bester Elementary School is 0.69, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
| Definition of Terms 2017-2018 School Year Data | This School | State Level (MD) |
| Overall Testing Rank | #1169 out of 1359 schools (Bottom 50%) | |
| ||
| Math Test Scores (% Proficient) (16-17) | 12% | 41% |
| ||
| Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient) (16-17) | 18% | 41% |
| ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 |
| American Indian | n/a | n/a |
| Asian | n/a | 7% |
| Hispanic | 11% | 17% |
| Black | 29% | 34% |
| White | 44% | 37% |
| Hawaiian | n/a | n/a |
| Two or more races | 16% | 5% |
| All Ethnic Groups |
|
|
| Diversity Score | 0.69 | 0.72 |
| ||
| Eligible for Free Lunch | 100% | 41% |
| Eligible for Reduced Lunch (12-13) | 3% | 6% |
| School Statewide Testing | View Education Department Test Scores | |
| School District Name | Washingtion County School District | |
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, MD Dept. of Education
Nearby Public Schools
- The nearest high school to Bester Elementary School is South Hagerstown High School (0.8 miles away)
- The nearest middle school is E. Russell Hicks Middle School (1.2 miles away)
- The nearest elementary school is Emma K. Doub Elementary School (1.0 miles away)
Show me:
- School Location Miles Grades Students
- Hagerstown South Hagerstown High School Magnet School
Grades: 9-12 | 1,304 student
0.8 miles
1101 S Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8369 0.8 9-12 1,304 - Hagerstown Barbara Ingram School For The Arts Magnet School
Grades: 9-12 | 296 students
0.9 miles
7-11 S. Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8840 0.9 9-12 296 - Hagerstown Emma K. Doub Elementary School Magnet School
Grades: PK-5 | 334 students
1.0 miles
1221 S Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8130 1.0 PK-5 334 - Hagerstown E. Russell Hicks Middle School Magnet School
Grades: 6-8 | 798 students
1.2 miles
1321 S Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8110 1.2 6-8 798 - Hagerstown Pangborn Elementary School Grades: PK-5 | 732 students
1.3 miles
195 Pangborn Blvd
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8282 1.3 PK-5 732
School Reviews
Recent Articles
Amidst the controversy surrounding President Obama's school address, learn about whether or not parents have any rights in choosing who their children's public schools invite as speakers.
Learn about the history of public schools incorporating self-contained classrooms, and whether they are right for your child.
President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative aims to improve academic opportunities for students of color, especially African-American boys.
