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Very Good

#39 of 379 private schools in MD

Top 10% of private schools

Our Lady of Mercy School

Elementary School

9222 KENTSDALE DR, Potomac, MD 20854

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Potomac. Learn more

Enrollment

191

Student-Teacher

7.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Potomac

#2 of 9

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#14 of 191

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Our Lady of Mercy School

OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL is a public elementary school located in the suburban area of Potomac, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, the school has an enrollment of 191 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The faculty consists of 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their young scholars.

While academic performance data is not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and its state ranking at #88 among Maryland schools suggest there is room for improvement in certain areas. However, this does not diminish the dedication and commitment shown by teachers and staff to nurturing each student's growth. OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL is situated in a large suburban community with Potomac’s vibrant atmosphere offering a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 191 students, Our Lady of Mercy School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, Our Lady of Mercy 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, Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Potomac, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
This School
vs
16:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
191
This School
vs
613
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.8
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.8% vs 0%
Asian 7.3% vs 0%
Black 4.7% vs 0%
Our Lady of Mercy School Potomac Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Our Lady of Mercy School (this school) 7.8
Cabin John Middle 6.1
Bells Mill Elementary 7.8
Potomac Elementary 7.0
Herbert Hoover Middle 6.3
Beverly Farms Elementary 7.7
Wayside Elementary 8.3
Cold Spring Elementary 6.9

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- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
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 191
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 63.4%
Hispanic 17.8%
Asian 7.3%
Two or More 6.8%
Black 4.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

9222 KENTSDALE DR, Potomac, MD 20854

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Our Lady of Mercy School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Potomac, see our Potomac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac 0.2 mi 7.2
NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda 0.5 mi 8.5
Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.9
MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda 0.8 mi 5.8
CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac 0.9 mi 6.9
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac 1.4 mi 5.6
Cabin John Middle Potomac 1.5 mi 6.1
Bells Mill Elementary Potomac 1.6 mi 7.8
Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda 1.8 mi 8.7
MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac 2.1 mi 8.1
HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda 1.8 mi 7.4
THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 2.0 mi 8.9
BULLIS SCHOOL Potomac 1.9 mi 7.1
Winston Churchill High Potomac 2.4 mi 5.6
THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda 1.9 mi 7.6
Herbert Hoover Middle Potomac 2.5 mi 6.3
Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda 2.1 mi 7.6
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 2.3 mi
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Potomac 2.6 mi 7.1
IVYMOUNT SCHOOL Rockville 2.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,105,300

Median Rent

$3,180/mo

Population

49,694

College Educated

85.7%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

47.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Our Lady of Mercy School has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,105,300, with a median rent of $3,180/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Baltimore International Academy West Baltimore, MD 7.8
Belmont Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.8
Gwynns Falls Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.8
HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL College Park, MD 7.8
Route 40 Elementary Frostburg, MD 7.8
ST MARYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rockville, MD 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Our Lady of Mercy School

What grades does Our Lady of Mercy School serve?

Our Lady of Mercy School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Our Lady of Mercy School?

Our Lady of Mercy School has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Our Lady of Mercy School?

The student-teacher ratio at Our Lady of Mercy School is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Our Lady of Mercy School rank in MD?

Our Lady of Mercy School is ranked #39 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Our Lady of Mercy School's MySchoolScout rating?

Our Lady of Mercy School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Our Lady of Mercy School a private school?

Yes, Our Lady of Mercy School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Our Lady of Mercy School a religious school?

Our Lady of Mercy School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
191
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
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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