Very Good
#340 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 25% in state
Burning Tree Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
7900 Beech Tree Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bethesda
#5 of 17
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#329 of 882
In district
#51 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Burning Tree Elementary
Burning Tree Elementary serves 484 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Bethesda, Maryland, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 and 31 full-time teachers, the school ranks #78 out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. Academically, Burning Tree demonstrates strong performance with 78% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 67% reach proficiency in Mathematics.
These results contribute to the school's impressive 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and a 9.7 academic score. The school serves families in the 20817 ZIP code, an affluent Bethesda community where the median household income reaches $231,292 and median home values average over $1 million. This well-educated neighborhood boasts that 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a low poverty rate of just 4.2%.
Located on Beech Tree Road in Montgomery County, Burning Tree Elementary operates within a small city setting that combines suburban amenities with proximity to the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area, providing students with both a strong local community foundation and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Burning Tree Elementary — Students at Burning Tree Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.
How Burning Tree Elementary Compares
See how Burning Tree Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 73% (2019) to 78.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 79% (2019) to 78.8% (2025).
Location
7900 Beech Tree Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Burning Tree Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.4 mi | 8.9 |
| ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.7 mi | — |
| Thomas W. Pyle Middle Bethesda | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Walt Whitman High Bethesda | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| North Bethesda Middle Bethesda | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Wyngate Elementary Bethesda | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Ashburton Elementary Bethesda | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$240,104
Median Home Value
$1,142,300
Median Rent
$3,155/mo
Population
37,738
College Educated
85.3%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Burning Tree Elementary has a median household income of $240,104. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,142,300, with a median rent of $3,155/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bel Pre Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 7.6 |
| Centreville Elementary School Centreville, MD | 7.6 |
| Cranberry Station Elementary Westminster, MD | 7.6 |
| Deer Park Elementary Owings Mills, MD | 7.6 |
| Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf, MD | 7.6 |
| Empowerment Academy Baltimore, MD | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Burning Tree Elementary
What grades does Burning Tree Elementary serve?
Burning Tree Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Burning Tree Elementary?
Burning Tree Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Burning Tree Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Burning Tree Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Burning Tree Elementary rank in MD?
Burning Tree Elementary is ranked #340 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Burning Tree Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Burning Tree Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Burning Tree Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Burning Tree Elementary has 67.9% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Burning Tree Elementary a charter school?
No, Burning Tree Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Burning Tree Elementary a Title I school?
No, Burning Tree Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Burning Tree Elementary?
6.6% of students at Burning Tree Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 484
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (240) 740-1750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #51 of 206
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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