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Average

#739 of 1,363 schools in MD

Damascus Elementary

Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools

10201 Bethesda Church Rd, Damascus, MD 20872

Enrollment

346

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#739 of 1,363

In Damascus

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#159 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Damascus Elementary

6.1/10

Elementary School in Damascus · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Damascus High

6.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

John T. Baker Middle School

6.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Damascus Elementary

Damascus Elementary is a public elementary school in Damascus, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Damascus Elementary serves approximately 346 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Damascus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #739 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Damascus Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Damascus Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

45% of students at Damascus Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.6% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism45.1%

Damascus Elementary — Students at Damascus Elementary score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 59.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
40.5%
ELA
51.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Damascus Elementary Compares

See how Damascus Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in MD
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

10201 Bethesda Church Rd, Damascus, MD 20872

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Damascus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wilson Wims Elementary School (rated 9.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Clarksburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Grove Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clearspring Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Damascus, see our Damascus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Damascus High Damascus 0.2 mi 6.7
John T. Baker Middle School Damascus 0.9 mi 6.5
Clearspring Elementary Damascus 1.4 mi 9.2
Lois P. Rockwell Elementary Damascus 2.0 mi 7.8
Woodfield Elementary Gaithersburg 2.4 mi 9.2
Cedar Grove Elementary Germantown 2.7 mi 9.3
Kemptown Elementary Monrovia 3.3 mi 7.5
Hallie Wells Middle Clarksburg 4.0 mi 8.9
Wilson Wims Elementary School Clarksburg 4.3 mi 9.7
Snowden Farm Elementary Clarksburg 4.6 mi 9.0
Windsor Knolls Middle Ijamsville 4.4 mi 7.7
Little Bennett Elementary Clarksburg 4.4 mi 8.0
Green Valley Elementary Monrovia 4.9 mi 7.8
FRIENDS MEETING SCHOOL Ijamsville 4.6 mi 7.2
Clarksburg High Clarksburg 5.1 mi 6.8
Rocky Hill Middle Clarksburg 5.2 mi 6.4
Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown 5.6 mi 6.2
OPTIMAL LEARNING SCHOOL Germantown 5.6 mi
Clarksburg Elementary Clarksburg 5.1 mi 8.3
Twin Ridge Elementary Mt. Airy 6.2 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20872 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,804

Median Home Value

$478,300

Median Rent

$1,675/mo

Population

13,138

College Educated

46.7%

Homeownership

89.1%

Avg Commute

36.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

41.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clopper Mill Elementary Germantown, MD 6.1
Hebbville Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.1
Pointer Ridge Elementary Bowie, MD 6.1
Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown, MD 6.1
Powhatan Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.1
ST MARK SCHOOL Catonsville, MD 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Damascus Elementary

What grades does Damascus Elementary serve?

Damascus Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Damascus Elementary?

Damascus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Damascus Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Damascus Elementary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Damascus Elementary rank in MD?

Damascus Elementary ranks #739 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Damascus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Damascus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Damascus Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Damascus Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Damascus Elementary a charter school?

No, Damascus Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Damascus Elementary a Title I school?

No, Damascus Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Damascus Elementary?

43.6% of students at Damascus 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.1%

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#159 of 206

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