At-a-glance snapshot, compared to state averages where available
State avg: 512
490
Total Enrollment
State avg: 54%
85%+30.7pp
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.3:1
Student : Teacher
Public
Sector
No
Title I
District
Governance
-1–5
Grade Span
Elementary
Level
Overview
Bester Elementary is a public elementary serving grades -1–5 in Hagerstown, Maryland. The school enrolls 490 students. It is part of the Washington County Public Schools district.
Source: NCES CCD (2025)
Strengths & Things to Consider
Indicators pulled CCD and benchmarked against Maryland state averages. This is not a ranking — different families value different things.
Strengths
Smaller-than-average class sizes
11.3:1 student-to-teacher ratio (US average ≈ 16:1)
Things to Consider
Higher share of students from low-income families
85% free/reduced-lunch eligibility — schools in this range benefit from strong parent engagement programs
Key Facts
SectorPublic
School Type—
LevelElementary
Grade Span-1–5
DistrictWashington County Public Schools
County24043
CityHagerstown
ZIP21740
CharterNo
MagnetNo
Title INo
NCES School ID240066001253
Student Demographics
Total Enrollment490
White28.8%
Hispanic / Latino21.6%
Black / African American30.4%
Asian0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native0.0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
Two or More Races18.8%
Race / Ethnicity Distribution
White
28.8%
Hispanic
21.6%
Black
30.4%
Asian
0.2%
Two+
18.8%
Source: NCES CCD (2025)
Equity & Title I
In the United States, Free/Reduced Lunch (FRL) eligibility is the primary federal proxy for student poverty. Schools with 40% or more FRL-eligible students typically qualify for Title I school-wide programs.