Average
#1064 of 1,363 schools in MD
Paint Branch High
High School · Montgomery County Public Schools
14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
Enrollment
2,115
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,115
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burtonsville
#3 of 3
public schools
Maryland high schools
#118 of 226
In district
#182 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
About Paint Branch High
Paint Branch High serves 2,115 students in grades 9-12 in Burtonsville, Maryland, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 supported by 134 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school ranks in the 40th percentile among Maryland high schools, with academic performance showing room for growth as the school works to support student achievement across core subjects. Current academic data shows 37% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 27% achieve proficiency in mathematics.
With its substantial enrollment and suburban setting, Paint Branch High offers the resources and scale typical of a comprehensive high school program, though the school continues focusing on strengthening academic outcomes for its diverse student body. The school sits in Montgomery County's Burtonsville area, where the surrounding ZIP code 20866 reflects an established suburban community. Local families enjoy a median household income of $137,990 and median home values of $419,600, with 43% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.0%.
Paint Branch High serves this affluent suburban community of approximately 16,680 residents in Montgomery County's large suburban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Paint Branch High is a large school with 2,115 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paint Branch High — Students at Paint Branch High score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.9/10.
How Paint Branch High Compares
See how Paint Branch High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 9.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 54.6% (2025).
Location
14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paint Branch High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fairland Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores notably higher. Another option is William Tyler Page Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chesapeake Math and IT Public Charter (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burtonsville, see our Burtonsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Greencastle Elementary Silver Spring | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Fairland Elementary Silver Spring | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Benjamin Banneker Middle Burtonsville | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Galway Elementary Silver Spring | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Burtonsville Elementary Burtonsville | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| ECHELON ACADEMY Burtonsville | 1.7 mi | — |
| CHILDWAY Burtonsville | 1.8 mi | — |
| FORCEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Silver Spring | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| SPENCERVILLE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Spencerville | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Briggs Chaney Middle Silver Spring | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| JOURNEY SCHOOL Spencerville | 2.2 mi | — |
| PAINT BRANCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spencerville | 2.3 mi | — |
| Calverton Elementary Beltsville | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| William Tyler Page Elementary Silver Spring | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary Silver Spring | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| BELTSVILLE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Beltsville | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| High Point High Beltsville | 3.0 mi | 3.8 |
| James E. Duckworth Beltsville | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Chesapeake Math and IT Public Charter Laurel | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Cannon Road Elementary Silver Spring | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20866 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$134,682
Median Home Value
$434,400
Median Rent
$2,203/mo
Population
16,499
College Educated
43.5%
Homeownership
78.3%
Avg Commute
36.1 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paint Branch High has a median household income of $134,682. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $434,400, with a median rent of $2,203/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arundel High Gambrills, MD | 5.2 |
| C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD | 5.2 |
| Catonsville High Baltimore, MD | 5.2 |
| Thomas S. Wootton High Rockville, MD | 5.2 |
| Atholton High Columbia, MD | 5.3 |
| Broadneck High Annapolis, MD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paint Branch High
What grades does Paint Branch High serve?
Paint Branch High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Paint Branch High?
Paint Branch High has an enrollment of approximately 2,115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paint Branch High?
The student-teacher ratio at Paint Branch High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paint Branch High rank in MD?
Paint Branch High is ranked #1064 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Paint Branch High's MySchoolScout rating?
Paint Branch High has a composite rating of 5.2 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.
What are the test scores at Paint Branch High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paint Branch High has 32.5% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paint Branch High a charter school?
No, Paint Branch High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paint Branch High a Title I school?
No, Paint Branch High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paint Branch High?
53.9% of students at Paint Branch High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 134
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (301) 388-9900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #182 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.