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Average

#570 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 42% in state

Highland Elementary

Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools

3100 Medway St, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Enrollment

510

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#570 of 1,363

In Silver Spring

#25 of 53

public schools

In district

#130 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Highland Elementary

6.8/10

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

Wheaton High

7.0/10

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

Crossway Community Montessori School

Nearby

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

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Silver Spring, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Highland Elementary serves approximately 510 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #570 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.7% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.8% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism25.7%

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (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
92%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
50%
2025
Math
34.7%
ELA
41.8%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in MD
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

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

3100 Medway St, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakland Terrace Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EVERGREEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Glenallan Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Silver Spring, see our Silver Spring schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Wheaton High Silver Spring 0.6 mi 7.0
CROSSWAY COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kensington 0.7 mi
Newport Mill Middle Kensington 0.7 mi 6.9
Albert Einstein High Kensington 0.9 mi 7.2
Weller Road Elementary Silver Spring 1.0 mi 5.2
A. Mario Loiederman Middle Silver Spring 1.0 mi 6.1
ROCK CREEK MONTESSORI SCHL Silver Spring 1.0 mi
Rock View Elementary Kensington 1.1 mi 5.9
Sargent Shriver Elementary Silver Spring 1.1 mi 5.4
Stephen Knolls School Kensington 1.4 mi 2.9
Viers Mill Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 4.4
Oakland Terrace Elementary Silver Spring 1.6 mi 8.4
KEHILLAT ASHREINU MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.4 mi
Georgian Forest Elementary Silver Spring 1.7 mi 4.5
Glenallan Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 6.8
Arcola Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 4.8
EVERGREEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.7 mi 6.9
Harmony Hills Elementary Silver Spring 1.8 mi 4.9
John F. Kennedy High Silver Spring 1.7 mi 5.0
BARRIE SCHOOL Silver Spring 2.0 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20902 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,408

Median Home Value

$531,200

Median Rent

$2,088/mo

Population

53,170

College Educated

47.3%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon, MD 6.8
Forest Ridge Elementary Laurel, MD 6.8
Glenallan Elementary Silver Spring, MD 6.8
Joppa View Elementary Baltimore, MD 6.8
Mary H. Matula Elementary School La Plata, MD 6.8
Northwestern Elementary Mardela Springs, MD 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary

What grades does Highland Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 510 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary rank in MD?

Highland Elementary ranks #570 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Highland Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Highland Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

57.5% of students at Highland 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
58 Good Transit
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

District

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

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