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Very Good

#70 of 379 private schools in MD

Top 18% of private schools

Holton-arms School

School

7303 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Bethesda. Learn more

Enrollment

668

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

7.4

Grades

3rd – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bethesda

#8 of 15

public schools

Maryland schools

#32 of 128

Academic performance

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Holton-arms School

Holton-Arms School is a regular public school located in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland. The school serves students from third grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 668 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1. With 84 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Holton-Arms offers a supportive learning environment designed to meet the needs of its diverse student body.

Despite not having specific test score data or an academic performance ranking beyond MySchoolScout's rating of 5.0 out of 10, the school continues to focus on student development and growth through various programs and resources available to students. Holton-Arms is situated in a small city setting that offers easy access to local amenities and cultural attractions, enriching the overall educational experience. Holton-Arms School stands as an integral part of its community, providing a nurturing environment for young minds to flourish and develop into well-rounded individuals.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Holton-arms 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, Holton-arms 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$62,610
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$69,062
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.10x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
81%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$137.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 668 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Holton-arms School compares to 17 public schools serving similar grades in Bethesda, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
This School
vs
16.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
668
This School
vs
975
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 59.7% vs 0%
Asian 12% vs 0%
Black 10.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.7% vs 0%
Holton-arms School Bethesda Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Holton-arms School (this school) 7.4
Burning Tree Elementary 7.6
Thomas W. Pyle Middle 6.2
Walt Whitman High 5.5
Bannockburn Elementary 7.0
Carderock Springs Elementary 8.7
North Bethesda Middle 6.4
Seven Locks Elementary 7.9
Wyngate Elementary 7.4
Bradley Hills Elementary 7.4
Ashburton Elementary 8.0
Wood Acres Elementary 8.4
Walter Johnson High 5.1
Bethesda Elementary 5.9
Woodlin Elementary 6.7
Westland Middle 6.5
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High 5.6
Westbrook Elementary 6.5

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- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,267.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 59%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 668
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 59.7%
Two or More 15.0%
Asian 12.0%
Black 10.3%
Hispanic 2.7%
Native American 0.1%
Pacific Islander 0.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7303 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holton-arms School may also want to explore other schools in the area. LANDON SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Potomac), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 0.2 mi 8.9
Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda 0.3 mi 7.6
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 0.7 mi
ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.6
Thomas W. Pyle Middle Bethesda 1.0 mi 6.2
THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda 1.3 mi 7.6
Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda 1.3 mi 7.0
LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda 1.2 mi 7.9
Walt Whitman High Bethesda 1.3 mi 5.5
Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda 1.4 mi 8.7
Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda 1.6 mi 7.9
MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.7 mi 5.8
North Bethesda Middle Bethesda 1.5 mi 6.4
Wyngate Elementary Bethesda 1.6 mi 7.4
NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda 1.7 mi 8.5
OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac 1.8 mi 7.8
Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda 1.7 mi 7.4
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac 2.0 mi 7.2
Ashburton Elementary Bethesda 2.2 mi 8.0
Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda 2.3 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$240,104

Median Home Value

$1,142,300

Median Rent

$3,155/mo

Population

37,738

College Educated

85.3%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holton-arms School has a median household income of $240,104. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,142,300, with a median rent of $3,155/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
THE BRYN MAWR SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 7.4
STONE RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Bethesda, MD 7.6
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac, MD 7.2
INDIAN CREEK SCHOOL Crownsville, MD 7.2
SANDY SPRINGS FRIENDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Sandy Spring, MD 7.2
BULLIS SCHOOL Potomac, MD 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holton-arms School

What grades does Holton-arms School serve?

Holton-arms School serves students in grades 3rd through 12th.

How many students attend Holton-arms School?

Holton-arms School has an enrollment of approximately 668 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holton-arms School?

The student-teacher ratio at Holton-arms School is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Holton-arms School rank in MD?

Holton-arms School is ranked #70 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Holton-arms School's MySchoolScout rating?

Holton-arms School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Holton-arms School a private school?

Yes, Holton-arms School is a private all-girls school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Holton-arms School a religious school?

No, Holton-arms School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
3rd – 12th
Enrollment
668
Gender Split
0% M / 100% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Type
private
Coed Status
all-girls
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
169 days
Setting
Small City
County
MONTGOMERY
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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