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Average

#990 of 1,363 schools in MD

Poolesville High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

17501 W Willard Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

Enrollment

1,332

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poolesville

#3 of 3

public schools

Maryland high schools

#90 of 226

In district

#170 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Poolesville High

Poolesville High serves 1,332 students in grades 9-12 in Montgomery County, Maryland, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. Ranked #171 out of 1,364 Maryland schools, the school places in the 88th percentile statewide with a strong 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, with 85% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 79% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

With 68 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Poolesville High maintains a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention in the classroom. Students come from an affluent and highly educated community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $193,264. The low poverty rate of 7.5% reflects the economic stability of families in the area, with median home values around $599,900.

Located at 17501 W Willard Road, Poolesville High sits in a town setting on the fringe of a larger urban area, offering students the benefits of small-town community feel while maintaining access to metropolitan resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92.5%
Math vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.4 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected-11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation73.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Poolesville High — Students at Poolesville High score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 88.1%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
86%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
89%
2022
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2025
Math
20.8%
ELA
92.5%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Poolesville High Compares

See how Poolesville High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
27th percentile in MD
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

17501 W Willard Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poolesville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Riverside High (rated 8.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Leesburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Potomac Falls High (rated 8.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Potomac Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FUSION ACADEMY LOUDOUN (rated 7.9/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Leesburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poolesville, see our Poolesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Poolesville Elementary Poolesville 0.6 mi 6.8
John Poole Middle Poolesville 1.3 mi 6.5
Monocacy Elementary Dickerson 5.8 mi 5.6
Algonkian Elementary Sterling 6.0 mi 8.0
Riverside High Leesburg 5.2 mi 8.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ASHBURN Ashburn 6.0 mi
Belmont Ridge Middle Leesburg 5.3 mi 7.4
River Bend Middle Sterling 6.3 mi 6.7
GODDARD SCHOOL-ASHBURN Ashburn 6.4 mi
BARNESVILLE SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES Dickerson 5.9 mi 7.6
Potomac Falls High Potomac Falls 6.5 mi 8.2
VIRGINIA ACADEMY Ashburn 6.1 mi 5.9
FUSION ACADEMY LOUDOUN Leesburg 5.9 mi 7.9
Countryside Elementary Sterling 6.9 mi 5.1
OUR LADY OF HOPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Potomac Falls 6.8 mi 6.0
Seldens Landing Elementary Leesburg 6.0 mi 7.5
Horizon Elementary Sterling 7.0 mi 7.6
Potowmack Elementary Sterling 7.3 mi 6.5
Steuart W. Weller Elementary Ashburn 7.2 mi 7.2
Ashburn Elementary Ashburn 7.0 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$191,927

Median Home Value

$701,000

Median Rent

$1,879/mo

Population

6,605

College Educated

61.1%

Homeownership

92.5%

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

46

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poolesville High has a median household income of $191,927. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $701,000, with a median rent of $1,879/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dulaney High Timonium, MD 5.5
George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology Towson, MD 5.5
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD 5.5
Perryville High Perryville, MD 5.5
River Hill High Clarksville, MD 5.5
Severna Park High Severna Park, MD 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poolesville High

What grades does Poolesville High serve?

Poolesville High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Poolesville High?

Poolesville High has an enrollment of approximately 1,332 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poolesville High?

The student-teacher ratio at Poolesville High is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poolesville High rank in MD?

Poolesville High is ranked #990 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Poolesville High's MySchoolScout rating?

Poolesville High has a composite rating of 5.5 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.

What are the test scores at Poolesville High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poolesville High has 67.5% math proficiency and 88.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poolesville High a charter school?

No, Poolesville High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poolesville High a Title I school?

No, Poolesville High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poolesville High?

10.6% of students at Poolesville 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,332
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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