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Below Average

#1191 of 1,363 schools in MD

Gaithersburg Elementary

Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools

35 N Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Enrollment

665

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,191 of 1,363

In Gaithersburg

#28 of 29

public schools

In district

#200 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

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Gaithersburg Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Gaithersburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gaithersburg Middle

5.1/10

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

Gaithersburg High

4.4/10

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

About Gaithersburg Elementary

Gaithersburg Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Gaithersburg Elementary serves approximately 665 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Gaithersburg Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,191 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Gaithersburg Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

45% of students at Gaithersburg 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 Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.1% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism44.8%

Gaithersburg Elementary — Students at Gaithersburg Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 37.9% (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
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
6%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
13.9%
ELA
17.1%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Gaithersburg Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
13th percentile in MD
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.8%

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

35 N Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gaithersburg Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fields Road Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rosemont Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Strawberry Knoll Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg 0.2 mi 5.1
Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg 0.6 mi 4.4
FORBUSH SCHOOL AT OAKMONT UPPER SCHOOL Gaithersburg 0.5 mi 6.5
Harriet R. Tubman Elementary Gaithersburg 0.6 mi 6.5
Forest Oak Middle Gaithersburg 0.8 mi 4.9
South Lake Elementary Gaithersburg 0.9 mi 4.5
Summit Hall Elementary Gaithersburg 1.2 mi 3.8
Washington Grove Elementary Gaithersburg 1.1 mi 5.0
EPWORTH PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Gaithersburg 1.2 mi 6.4
Rosemont Elementary Gaithersburg 1.3 mi 6.8
Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg 1.6 mi 6.7
MARCIA D SMITH SCHOOL Gaithersburg 1.6 mi
Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg 1.5 mi 5.0
Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg 2.0 mi 5.4
Shady Grove Middle Gaithersburg 1.6 mi 6.0
NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg 1.6 mi
Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village 1.9 mi 5.0
Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village 2.2 mi 5.1
Fields Road Elementary Gaithersburg 2.1 mi 7.5
Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village 2.3 mi 5.0

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
High Point Elementary Pasadena, MD 4.2
Lake Arbor Elementary Mitchellville, MD 4.2
Padonia International Elementary Cockeysville, MD 4.2
Richard Henry Lee Elementary Glen Burnie, MD 4.2
Vincent Farm Elementary White Marsh, MD 4.2
Wildwood Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gaithersburg Elementary

What grades does Gaithersburg Elementary serve?

Gaithersburg Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Gaithersburg Elementary?

Gaithersburg Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gaithersburg Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Gaithersburg Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gaithersburg Elementary rank in MD?

Gaithersburg Elementary ranks #1,191 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Gaithersburg Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaithersburg Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Gaithersburg Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gaithersburg Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Gaithersburg Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Gaithersburg Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

64.1% of students at Gaithersburg 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.8%

District

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

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