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Below Average

#1026 of 1,363 schools in MD

Forest Oak Middle

Middle School · Montgomery County Public Schools

651 Saybrooke Oaks Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Enrollment

847

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,026 of 1,363

In Gaithersburg

#25 of 29

public schools

In district

#190 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Forest Oak Middle

4.9/10

Middle School in Gaithersburg · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harriet R. Tubman Elementary

6.5/10

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

Gaithersburg Middle

5.1/10

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

About Forest Oak Middle

Forest Oak Middle is a public middle school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Forest Oak Middle serves approximately 847 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Oak Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,026 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Forest Oak Middle show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Forest Oak Middle 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 Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.1% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

Forest Oak Middle — Students at Forest Oak Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 48.1% (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
68%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
8.1%
ELA
32.9%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Forest Oak Middle Compares

See how Forest Oak Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
25th percentile in MD
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

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

651 Saybrooke Oaks Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest Oak Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shady Grove Middle (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gaithersburg Middle (rated 5.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Montgomery Village Middle (rated 5.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Montgomery Village), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Harriet R. Tubman Elementary Gaithersburg 0.5 mi 6.5
Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg 0.7 mi 5.1
South Lake Elementary Gaithersburg 0.6 mi 4.5
Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg 0.8 mi 6.7
Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg 0.8 mi 4.2
FORBUSH SCHOOL AT OAKMONT UPPER SCHOOL Gaithersburg 0.9 mi 6.5
Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg 0.8 mi 5.0
Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg 1.3 mi 4.4
Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg 1.4 mi 5.4
Washington Grove Elementary Gaithersburg 1.5 mi 5.0
Shady Grove Middle Gaithersburg 1.4 mi 6.0
EPWORTH PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Gaithersburg 1.9 mi 6.4
Summit Hall Elementary Gaithersburg 1.9 mi 3.8
Rosemont Elementary Gaithersburg 2.0 mi 6.8
Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village 1.7 mi 5.0
Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village 1.8 mi 5.1
Mill Creek Towne Elementary Rockville 1.8 mi 8.8
Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village 2.0 mi 5.0
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL, LLC Montgomery Village 2.3 mi
MARCIA D SMITH SCHOOL Gaithersburg 2.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20877 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,103

Median Home Value

$462,500

Median Rent

$1,862/mo

Population

39,068

College Educated

35.2%

Homeownership

43.9%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Benjamin Banneker Middle Burtonsville, MD 4.9
Aberdeen Middle Aberdeen, MD 5.0
The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.0
Deer Park Middle Magnet School Randallstown, MD 4.8
Sudbrook Magnet Middle Baltimore, MD 4.8
Thurmont Middle Thurmont, MD 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest Oak Middle

What grades does Forest Oak Middle serve?

Forest Oak Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Forest Oak Middle?

Forest Oak Middle has an enrollment of approximately 847 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Oak Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest Oak Middle is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest Oak Middle rank in MD?

Forest Oak Middle ranks #1,026 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Forest Oak Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest Oak Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Forest Oak Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Oak Middle has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forest Oak Middle a charter school?

No, Forest Oak Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Forest Oak Middle a Title I school?

No, Forest Oak Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Oak Middle?

58.6% of students at Forest Oak Middle 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
8 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
847
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

District

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

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