Excellent
#133 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 10% in state
Rachel Carson Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
100 Tschiffely Square Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Enrollment
674
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
674
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#133 of 1,363
In Gaithersburg
#5 of 29
public schools
In district
#51 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Rachel Carson Elementary
Elementary School in Gaithersburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Quince Orchard High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ridgeview Middle
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rachel Carson Elementary
Rachel Carson Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Rachel Carson Elementary serves approximately 674 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Rachel Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #133 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Rachel Carson Elementary show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.8 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rachel Carson Elementary — Students at Rachel Carson Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 9.3/10.
How Rachel Carson Elementary Compares
See how Rachel Carson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
100 Tschiffely Square Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rachel Carson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jones Lane Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Travilah Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby North Potomac), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Stone Mill Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby North Potomac), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Quince Orchard High Gaithersburg | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Ridgeview Middle Gaithersburg | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Lakelands Park Middle Gaithersburg | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Thurgood Marshall Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| DuFief Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Diamond Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL IN GAITHERSBURG Gaithersburg | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Jones Lane Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 9.5 |
| Brown Station Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Fields Road Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| FRANKLIN MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Rockville | 1.9 mi | — |
| NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | — |
| Travilah Elementary North Potomac | 2.4 mi | 9.5 |
| GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | — |
| Stone Mill Elementary North Potomac | 2.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Darnestown Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| PRIMARY MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Rockville | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Great Seneca Creek Elementary Germantown | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Clopper Mill Elementary Germantown | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| John L Gildner Regional Inst for Children & Adol Rockville | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20878 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,062
Median Home Value
$675,200
Median Rent
$2,188/mo
Population
65,236
College Educated
70.1%
Homeownership
69.3%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
41.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda, MD | 8.8 |
| Beall Elementary Rockville, MD | 8.8 |
| Eldersburg Elementary Sykesville, MD | 8.8 |
| Fountain Green Elementary Bel Air, MD | 8.8 |
| Kent Island Elementary School Stevensville, MD | 8.8 |
| Maryvale Elementary Rockville, MD | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rachel Carson Elementary
What grades does Rachel Carson Elementary serve?
Rachel Carson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rachel Carson Elementary?
Rachel Carson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 674 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rachel Carson Elementary is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rachel Carson Elementary rank in MD?
Rachel Carson Elementary ranks #133 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Rachel Carson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rachel Carson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Rachel Carson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rachel Carson Elementary has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Rachel Carson Elementary a charter school?
No, Rachel Carson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rachel Carson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rachel Carson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rachel Carson Elementary?
24.8% of students at Rachel Carson 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 674
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.0%
- Phone
- (240) 740-1840
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #51 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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