Excellent
#15 of 379 private schools in MD
Top 4% of private schools
Norwood School
Elementary School
8821 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Bethesda. Learn more
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher
5.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher
5.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bethesda
#3 of 15
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#5 of 191
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Norwood School
NORWOOD SCHOOL is a regular public school located in Bethesda, Maryland, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 428 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s educational needs. NORWOOD has 75 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Although test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and the state ranking of #61 out of 379 schools in Maryland suggest that there is room for academic growth at NORWOOD SCHOOL. The school focuses on student development and provides a strong foundation for its students as they progress through their early education years. NORWOOD SCHOOL is situated in a large suburban area, offering a safe and nurturing community setting for learning.
This location provides easy access to various amenities and resources that complement the educational experience of its young scholars.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, Norwood 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, Norwood 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
- $51,164
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $55,246
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.08x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 80%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $68.5M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 428 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Norwood School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Bethesda, MD
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Norwood School (this school) | 8.5 |
| Seven Locks Elementary | 7.9 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary | 8.7 |
| Burning Tree Elementary | 7.6 |
| Thomas W. Pyle Middle | 6.2 |
| Wyngate Elementary | 7.4 |
| North Bethesda Middle | 6.4 |
| Bannockburn Elementary | 7.0 |
| Ashburton Elementary | 8.0 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary | 7.4 |
| Woodlin Elementary | 6.7 |
| Wood Acres Elementary | 8.4 |
| Bethesda Elementary | 5.9 |
| Westland Middle | 6.5 |
| 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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
8821 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Norwood School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Seven Locks Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 8.7 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Cabin John Middle Potomac | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Bells Mill Elementary Potomac | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.0 mi | — |
| BULLIS SCHOOL Potomac | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Potomac Elementary Potomac | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Winston Churchill High Potomac | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Potomac | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
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 Norwood 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Knolls Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 8.5 |
| Goshen Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 8.5 |
| Jacobsville Elementary Pasadena, MD | 8.5 |
| Mattaponi Elementary Upper Marlboro, MD | 8.5 |
| Piney Ridge Elementary Sykesville, MD | 8.5 |
| Randallstown Elementary Randallstown, MD | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Norwood School
What grades does Norwood School serve?
Norwood School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Norwood School?
Norwood School has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Norwood School?
The student-teacher ratio at Norwood School is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Norwood School rank in MD?
Norwood School is ranked #15 out of 379 private schools in MD.
What is Norwood School's MySchoolScout rating?
Norwood School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Norwood School a private school?
Yes, Norwood School is a private coeducational 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 Norwood School a religious school?
No, Norwood School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 428
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 75
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 173 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- MONTGOMERY
- Phone
- (301) 365-2595
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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