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Excellent

#150 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 11% 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

8.7

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#150 of 1,363

In Takoma Park

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#55 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Piney Branch Elementary

8.7/10

Elementary School in Takoma Park · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Takoma Park Elementary

6.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Takoma Park Middle

8.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Piney Branch Elementary

Piney Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Takoma Park, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Piney Branch Elementary serves approximately 599 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Piney Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #150 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Piney Branch Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.5% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+30.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism14.5%

Piney Branch Elementary — Students at Piney Branch Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 66.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
86%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
61%
ELA
66.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Piney Branch Elementary Compares

See how Piney Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
89th percentile in MD
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Sela PCS (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a very similar rating. Another option is Whittier ES (rated 8.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sligo Creek Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 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 6.5
Takoma Park Middle Silver Spring 0.3 mi 8.8
Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington 0.7 mi 4.7
East Silver Spring Elementary Silver Spring 0.8 mi 8.2
Takoma ES Washington 0.9 mi 6.6
Friendship PCS - Ideal Middle Washington 1.2 mi 7.6
Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary Washington 1.2 mi 8.2
THE NORA SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.0 mi 6.2
Rolling Terrace Elementary Takoma Park 1.1 mi 3.8
Coolidge HS Washington 1.2 mi 4.4
Sela PCS Washington 1.3 mi 8.9
Ida B. Wells MS Washington 1.2 mi 7.8
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 8.8
Silver Spring International Middle Silver Spring 1.3 mi 6.4
Sligo Creek Elementary Silver Spring 1.3 mi 8.3
DON BOSCO CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL Takoma Park 1.1 mi 5.3
Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington 1.4 mi 4.0
Capital City PCS - MS Washington 1.4 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City, MD 8.7
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary Leonardtown, MD 8.7
Chapel Hill Elementary Perry Hall, MD 8.7
Chevy Chase Elementary Chevy Chase, MD 8.7
Ducketts Lane Elementary Elkridge, MD 8.7
Forest Knolls Elementary Silver Spring, MD 8.7

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 ranks #150 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Piney Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Piney Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Piney Branch Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Piney Branch Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
66 Good Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#55 of 206

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