Ballenger Creek Elementary School
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: (227) 203-1880
District: Frederick County Public Schools
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 731 students
Ballenger Creek Elementary School, a public school located in Frederick, MD, serves grades PK-5 in the Frederick County Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Ballenger Creek Elementary School is a public school located in Frederick, MD. 731 students attend Ballenger Creek Elementary School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 6/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program End-Of-Course data from Maryland State Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 8/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student Growth - Elementary Level data from Maryland State Department of Education, and using 2025 Student Growth - Middle Level data from Maryland State Department of Education. |
Posted: August 20, 2020
Posted: August 20, 2020
Posted: August 20, 2020
Posted: August 20, 2020
Posted: August 20, 2020
Posted: August 20, 2020
Overall pretty good compared to other schools that the kids attended.
Posted: August 20, 2020
Kids are given the right amount of work.
Posted: December 13, 2019
Mrs. Priolo is one of the BEST; 1st grade teacher for 2019.
Posted: December 13, 2019
From what I havw experienced and witnessed in with my son; YES.
Posted: December 13, 2019
strong sense of leadership on all levels.
Posted: December 13, 2019
They stive to work with all children.
Posted: December 13, 2019
Posted: December 13, 2019
could not be happier with this school.
Posted: December 13, 2019
My son is in 1st Grade and gets a decent amount of homework.
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: February 7, 2018
Great experience this year. Teachers, counselor and principal seem very involved
Posted: February 7, 2018
Posted: March 10, 2017
The school had a few rocky years in terms of administration but the new principal is really involved with the students and their activities. The teachers have always been available for questions and the support staff are so helpful! I'm not sure what issues other parents have had for low ratings but in 5 years at BCES my child has been happy and eager to learn.
Posted: August 18, 2016
This school is great! The faculty is really nice. I really like the Reading Specialist there. She has helped my daughter raise her reading level. She was always a grade a two behind. She is now on grade grade level and is so proud of herself!!!
Posted: August 18, 2016
Posted: August 18, 2016
Posted: August 18, 2016
Posted: November 14, 2014
The school is horrible for special needs students.They will noy do any accommodating to help any child succeed....The principal is rude mean and just in.general very snotty ....I have to children in this school one disabled and one not...The normal child is treated with respect and is feels okay about the school...The disabled child is really hurt by the treatment he receives and its not by students as onr would expect buy rather by staff...I've tried to hang on because I don't want my son to learn to run away from..his problems...however at this point I feel this school is jeopardizing my sons safety and I'm looking ti move just to get my son out of this school.
Posted: October 21, 2013
There are multiple issues at this school - the administration is only concerned with Title 1 "status" and bragging about the free stale cinnamon rolls they pass off as a healthy breakfast. The curriculum has really dummied down in the past few years too. There have been multiple administrative staff changes including multiple principals in the past few years. Several front office employees quit due to the current principal. My kids are actually saying the teachers are acting way too goofy and silly. I'm incredibly saddened by the disintegration of this school.
Posted: August 21, 2013
My daughter just started first grade here and we were pretty nervous about a new school. So far she loves it, her teacher is great and we expect only good things to happened. I don't know much about the school but everybody seems to care about children and I like the fact that they are very carefully about their safety and their development. I heard only positive things from other parents
Posted: April 12, 2013
Ballenger Creek is such a great school, I have a daughter with a long IEP and the staff that cares for her is so wonderful. Not to mention the focus they have on STEM. I love love love this school and am sorry to be leaving it next year when we move.
Posted: April 11, 2013
THIS SCHOOL IS ALSO THE BEST! I NEVER WENT HERE BUT I LOVE AND LIKE IT
Posted: January 25, 2012
Love this school!! Teachers are wonderful, the administration is terrific as well. They really seem to care about the kids. I would highly recommend moving to this area if you have elementary aged kids. You will not be disappointed!!
Posted: November 30, 2011
I have had 3 children that have gone to BCES and I think it's a pretty good school. The new administration isn't the nicest but they seem to get the job done. Many of the teachers are really amazing teachers though. They really know how to show a child that they care about them and their academic future. I was very sad to see my son graduate 5th grade and head to middle school because I knew he would no longer get to see the teachers who really turned his school life around for him. Funny enough, his former teachers still check up on him 2 years later in middle school. Some of the teachers can be very strict, but I think it's good for the kids to know their boundaries. Also the guidance counselor is very nice and has a lot of various groups to help any of the kids who might be struggling with something in their home or school life. There is very little bullying and the staff really instills it in the kids that bullying is bad and you will be punished for it. I do wish there was more PTA participation among the parents because when there isn't the students really feel the pinch on fun things like the fall festival or spring carnival.
Posted: November 3, 2011
Perhaps the pre 2008 reviews should be overlooked as the principal and AP have changed since then. I have nothing but good things to say about this school. Teachers want the kids to excel and are willing to put the time into making that happen. Supplemental instruction is available for both struggling students and those who need to be challenged above the average curriculum. Administration is accessable and responsive to request for clarifications, meetings and evaluations. Many parents are part of the PTA and strive to make events fun and family friendly. I am happy to call BCES our school and my kids are thriving there.
Posted: August 7, 2011
Let me preface what I am about to say with this...I do not give out 5 stars - ever. With that said I have had no issues with BCES. I have found my child's time at this school to be an overall positive experience. With the exception of a few duds in teacher assignment, academically I feel my child is thriving. There has been individual attention when necessary and I have always felt that they care about my child as an individual not just as part of the crowd. We will both miss this school when our time is at an end here but feel that other children will most definitely benefit from the quality education we have experienced.
Posted: May 9, 2011
I have no idea why several posters are stating that there is a lack of communication as I have children who have been attending BCES for the past 10 years total...I LOVE the school, the community involvement, several EXTEMELY dedicated and wonderful teachers and pretty much everything about the school. Since we are porhibited from posting names here, I will just say that there are NUMEROUS teachers who have been there in excess of 10 years (so much for the "high turnover" allegation) and they are simply wonderful!
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterside | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Frederick | MD | 6.1 mi | |
| 2 | Galyn Manor | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Brunswick | MD | 10.2 mi | |
| 3 | Water's Landing | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Germantown | MD | 15.2 mi | |
| 4 | Lakelands | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Gaithersburg | MD | 20.8 mi | |
| 5 | Fox Farm | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Great Falls | VA | 25.1 mi | |
| 6 | Old Farm | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Rockville | MD | 27.2 mi | |
| 7 | Norwood | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Olney | MD | 27.7 mi | |
| 8 | White Flint | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Rockville | MD | 28.8 mi | |
| 9 | Fox Mill Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Herndon | VA | 31.2 mi | |
| 10 | South Riding | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Chantilly | VA | 32.1 mi | |
| 11 | Maple Lawn | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fulton | MD | 32.3 mi | |
| 12 | Forest Knolls | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Silver Spring | MD | 32.7 mi | |
| 13 | DuMont Oaks | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Silver Spring | MD | 32.7 mi | |
| 14 | Iverly | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Silver Spring | MD | 32.7 mi | |
| 15 | Franklin Glen | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fairfax | VA | 33.2 mi | |
| 16 | The Willoughby | Condominium/Townhouse | Chevy Chase | MD | 34 mi | |
| 17 | Hillandale | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Silver Spring | MD | 34 mi | |
| 18 | Takoma Park | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Takoma Park | MD | 35.2 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentlands | Gaithersburg | MD | 20.4 mi | |
| 2 | Ashburn | Ashburn | VA | 23.2 mi | |
| 3 | Hammond Hills | Laurel | MD | 33.1 mi | |
| 4 | Chantilly | Chantilly | VA | 33.3 mi | |
| 5 | White Oak | Silver Spring | MD | 34 mi | |
| 6 | Vienna | Vienna | VA | 34.1 mi | |
| 7 | Silver Spring | Silver Spring | MD | 34.3 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Fort Detrick | 4.2 mi. |
| Shepherd Field | 29.5 mi. |
| Walter Reed Medical Center | 31.6 mi. |
| NRO Chantilly | 34.2 mi. |
| Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church | 37.2 mi. |
| Fort Myer | 39.1 mi. |
| Henderson Hall | 40 mi. |
| Pentagon | 40.3 mi. |
| Mark Center Alexandria | 41.4 mi. |
| Fort McNair | 41.5 mi. |
| Marine Barracks Washington | 41.6 mi. |
| Washington Navy Yard | 41.8 mi. |
| Coast Guard Headquarters DC | 41.9 mi. |
| Fort Meade NSA | 42 mi. |
| Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia | 43.2 mi. |
| Letterkenny Army Depot | 47.2 mi. |
| Coast Guard Curtis Bay | 47.6 mi. |
| Fort Belvoir | 48.5 mi. |
| Andrews AFB | 49 mi. |
