The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 27% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Westside Intermediate
Westside Intermediate serves students from second through fifth grade in Hebron, a small rural town in Wicomico County, Maryland. The school is a regular public school within Wicomico County Public Schools, and it functions as an intermediate building within a district that also includes elementary and secondary campuses. Because it serves only grades two through five, there is no graduation rate to report, and the academic data reflects the state testing program for those grade levels.
On the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for the 2024-25 school year, math proficiency varied noticeably by grade. Third graders showed relative strength, with most students meeting the state’s proficient or above threshold. By fourth and fifth grade, the share of students reaching that level declined. English language arts results followed a similar pattern: third graders’ performance was reported as a range, which introduces some uncertainty, but a strong showing was broadly indicated. Fourth and fifth grade ELA proficiency was lower, with the fifth grade figure dropping substantially. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and roughly a quarter of students scored proficient or above. Across all subjects, the pattern is one of declining performance as students move through the intermediate grades, a dynamic parents may want to discuss with the school as they consider academic support and enrichment.
Only one year of state assessment data is available, so there is no trend to examine. The school’s overall math proficiency across all tested grades stood in the mid-to-upper forties, and ELA hovered in the mid-forties as well. No chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing metrics were present in the data, so those elements of school environment cannot be assessed.
Enrollment is relatively small for a four-grade band. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, just over half. Racially, the student body is predominantly white, with smaller but meaningful shares of students who are Hispanic, Black, or identify as two or more races. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so a parent seeking information on those programs should follow up with the school or district directly.
Hebron is a quiet, unincorporated-style town that has grown noticeably in recent decades. It retains a rural character, and many residents commute to Salisbury for work, which is a short drive away. Home values in the area are moderate, somewhat below the state average, and the market has seen modest appreciation. The town has a traditional Main Street with a town hall and planning commission, and several historic properties are listed on the National Register. The school sits within the town itself, integrated into the residential fabric rather than on a separated campus.
Wicomico County Public Schools recently opened a new Beaver Run Elementary School in 2022, a replacement facility serving younger grades, and maintains a long-term Educational Facilities Master Plan that guides building improvements and capacity decisions. These investments may affect attendance boundaries or resource allocation over time, though no specific changes for Westside were noted.
Westside Intermediate does not offer high school pathways, and no program data such as enrichment, arts, or specialized courses were available. For families considering this school, the central questions are how the school supports students as they move from third to fifth grade, given the downward trend in assessed proficiency, and what academic interventions or differentiation are in place. The school’s size and small-town setting may appeal to families seeking a close-knit environment, while those looking for broad program offerings or extensive wrap-around services would need to gather that information from the school directly. The available evidence paints a picture of a straightforward elementary school in a growing rural area, with academic performance that is strongest early and weaker by fifth grade, particularly in science.
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