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Very Good

#509 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 37% in state

Potomac Elementary

Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools

10311 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Enrollment

435

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Potomac

#4 of 8

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#471 of 882

In district

#81 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Potomac Elementary

Potomac Elementary serves 435 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in one of Montgomery County's most affluent communities. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1, providing solid opportunities for individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking #147 out of 1,364 Maryland elementary schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.

Students consistently achieve above-average results, with 77% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 70% demonstrate proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels. Located at 10311 River Road, Potomac Elementary draws from a highly educated community where 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 20854 ZIP code reflects exceptional affluence, with a median household income of $241,697 and median home values reaching $1,042,200.

The area maintains a remarkably low poverty rate of just 2.7%. As a regular public school in this large suburban setting, Potomac Elementary benefits from both the resources of an engaged, well-educated parent community and Montgomery County's commitment to educational excellence. The school sits within a neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and proximity to the Potomac River, offering students a peaceful yet academically rigorous learning environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.1%
Math vs. State Avg+52.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Potomac Elementary — Students at Potomac Elementary score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.8%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 73.8%
School
State
51.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
83.1%
ELA
83.1%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Potomac Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in MD
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

10311 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potomac Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wayside Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Seven Locks Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Potomac, see our Potomac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
BULLIS SCHOOL Potomac 0.9 mi 7.1
Wayside Elementary Potomac 1.8 mi 8.3
NO CHANGE! Potomac 1.9 mi 6.0
CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac 2.0 mi 6.9
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac 2.1 mi 7.2
OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac 2.3 mi 7.8
Herbert Hoover Middle Potomac 2.4 mi 6.3
NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda 2.4 mi 8.5
Cabin John Middle Potomac 2.3 mi 6.1
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Potomac 2.6 mi 7.1
Cold Spring Elementary Potomac 2.9 mi 6.9
Bells Mill Elementary Potomac 2.5 mi 7.8
Winston Churchill High Potomac 2.7 mi 5.6
Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac 2.9 mi 7.7
MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac 2.7 mi 8.1
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac 2.6 mi 5.6
MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda 2.8 mi 5.8
Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda 2.8 mi 7.9
THE MADEIRA SCHOOL Mclean 3.7 mi 7.8
ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Rockville 3.4 mi 6.4

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 Potomac Elementary 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
Arundel Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.0
Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda, MD 7.0
Bel Air Elementary Bel Air, MD 7.0
Carney Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.0
Columbia Park Elementary Landover, MD 7.0
Fountain Rock Elementary Hagerstown, MD 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potomac Elementary

What grades does Potomac Elementary serve?

Potomac Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Potomac Elementary?

Potomac Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potomac Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potomac Elementary is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potomac Elementary rank in MD?

Potomac Elementary is ranked #509 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Potomac Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potomac Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Potomac Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potomac Elementary has 72.8% math proficiency and 73.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Potomac Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Potomac Elementary a Title I school?

No, Potomac Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potomac Elementary?

8.5% of students at Potomac 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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
#81 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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