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Excellent

#29 of 379 private schools in MD

Top 7% of private schools

Friends Community School

Elementary School

5901 WESTCHESTER PARK DR, College Park, MD 20740

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MD statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

257

Student-Teacher

7.2:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In College Park

#1 of 3

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#9 of 191

About Friends Community School

Friends Community School, nestled in College Park, Maryland, is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 257 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. Friends Community School has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment.

Though MySchoolScout's academic score is currently at 5.5 out of 10 and the state ranking places it as #243 out of 379 schools in Maryland (36th percentile), Friends Community School focuses on student development and offers plenty of opportunities for growth. The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to nearby amenities and resources. Friends Community School is part of the Prince George’s community, providing a nurturing setting where children can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, Friends Community School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Friends Community School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Friends Community School compares to the 2 public schools in College Park, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
This School
vs
13.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
257
This School
vs
391
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.1
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 45.1% vs 0%
Black 28% vs 0%
Asian 5.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.7% vs 0%
Friends Community School College Park Public Avg

All Schools in College Park

School Rating
Friends Community School (this school) 8.1
Paint Branch Elementary 6.4
Hollywood Elementary 4.9

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,218
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 257
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 45.1%
Black 28.0%
Two or More 16.3%
Asian 5.8%
Hispanic 4.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

5901 WESTCHESTER PARK DR, College Park, MD 20740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Friends Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverdale Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Riverdale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lamont Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby New Carrollton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in College Park, see our College Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Berwyn Heights Elementary Berwyn Heights 0.4 mi 3.4
Dora Kennedy French Immersion Greenbelt 0.6 mi 6.9
Greenbelt Middle Greenbelt 0.7 mi 7.4
Springhill Lake Elementary Greenbelt 1.2 mi 5.8
Parkdale High Riverdale 1.3 mi 5.8
Paint Branch Elementary College Park 1.2 mi 6.4
William Wirt Middle Riverdale 1.5 mi 6.7
HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL College Park 1.3 mi 7.8
Lamont Elementary New Carrollton 1.5 mi 7.4
AL-HUDA SCHOOL College Park 1.9 mi 7.0
College Park Academy Riverdale 1.9 mi 6.5
Beacon Heights Elementary Riverdale 2.1 mi 7.4
Charles Carroll Middle New Carrollton 1.9 mi 5.8
Robert Frost Elementary New Carrollton 1.8 mi 6.1
Hollywood Elementary College Park 2.1 mi 4.9
Eleanor Roosevelt High Greenbelt 1.9 mi 5.3
Carrollton Elementary New Carrollton 2.1 mi 4.9
Riverdale Elementary Riverdale 2.3 mi 8.5
Greenbelt Elementary Greenbelt 2.2 mi 6.0
Glenridge Elementary Landover Hills 2.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,359

Median Home Value

$417,100

Median Rent

$1,788/mo

Population

36,564

College Educated

48.5%

Homeownership

39.3%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

25.4%

Median Age

24

Community Profile

The community surrounding Friends Community School has a median household income of $81,359. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,100, with a median rent of $1,788/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Manor View Elementary Ft. Meade, MD 8.1
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 8.1
Potomac Heights Elementary Hagerstown, MD 8.1
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Glen Burnie, MD 8.1
Bel Air Elementary Cumberland, MD 8.0
Darnestown Elementary Gaithersburg, MD 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Friends Community School

What grades does Friends Community School serve?

Friends Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Friends Community School?

Friends Community School has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Friends Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Friends Community School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Friends Community School rank in MD?

Friends Community School is ranked #29 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Friends Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Friends Community School has a composite rating of 8.1 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.

Is Friends Community School a private school?

Yes, Friends Community School is a private coeducational school with a Friends (Quaker) affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Friends Community School a religious school?

Friends Community School has a Friends (Quaker) religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
257
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Friends (Quaker)
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
174 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
PRINCE GEORGE'S
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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