Excellent
#242 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 18% in state
Piney Branch Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
7510 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Takoma Park
#1 of 4
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#236 of 882
In district
#38 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Piney Branch Elementary
Piney Branch Elementary serves 599 students in grades 3-5 in Takoma Park, Maryland, within Montgomery County's school system. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for upper elementary learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranking #294 out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficiency or above across the grade levels. In mathematics, 52% of students perform at or above proficient levels, indicating areas for continued growth and support. Piney Branch Elementary draws families from ZIP code 20912, a diverse community where the median household income is $80,593 and median home values reach $646,100.
The neighborhood reflects an educated population, with 52% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining economic diversity with a 13.3% poverty rate among its 25,823 residents. Located on Maple Avenue in this large suburban setting, Piney Branch Elementary serves as an academic foundation for upper elementary students in one of Montgomery County's well-established residential communities.
Score Breakdown
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Piney Branch Elementary — Students at Piney Branch Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Piney Branch Elementary Compares
See how Piney Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 65.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 65.5% (2025).
Location
7510 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Piney Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Silver Spring Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Takoma ES (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sligo Creek Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Takoma Park, see our Takoma Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Takoma Park Elementary Takoma Park | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Takoma Park Middle Silver Spring | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| East Silver Spring Elementary Silver Spring | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Takoma ES Washington | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Friendship PCS - Ideal Middle Washington | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary Washington | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| THE NORA SCHOOL Silver Spring | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Rolling Terrace Elementary Takoma Park | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Coolidge HS Washington | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Sela PCS Washington | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Ida B. Wells MS Washington | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| TAKOMA ACADEMY Takoma Park | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| TAKOMA ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Silver Spring | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Whittier ES Washington | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Silver Spring International Middle Silver Spring | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Sligo Creek Elementary Silver Spring | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| DON BOSCO CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL Takoma Park | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Capital City PCS - MS Washington | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,097
Median Home Value
$671,400
Median Rent
$1,452/mo
Population
25,428
College Educated
51.2%
Homeownership
43.1%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Piney Branch Elementary has a median household income of $82,097. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $671,400, with a median rent of $1,452/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashburton Elementary Bethesda, MD | 8.0 |
| Brunswick Elementary Brunswick, MD | 8.0 |
| Clear Spring Elementary Clear Spring, MD | 8.0 |
| Cora L. Rice Elementary Landover, MD | 8.0 |
| Fullerton Elementary Baltimore, MD | 8.0 |
| Hazelwood Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Piney Branch Elementary
What grades does Piney Branch Elementary serve?
Piney Branch Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Piney Branch Elementary?
Piney Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Piney Branch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Piney Branch Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Piney Branch Elementary rank in MD?
Piney Branch Elementary is ranked #242 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Piney Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Piney Branch Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Piney Branch Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Piney Branch Elementary has 52.6% math proficiency and 57.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Piney Branch Elementary a charter school?
No, Piney Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Piney Branch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Piney Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Piney Branch Elementary?
34.1% of students at Piney Branch 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 62 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 73 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (7,624/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Takoma Park). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 599
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (301) 891-8000
- 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
- #38 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.
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