Below Average
#1192 of 1,363 schools in MD
South Lake Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
18201 Contour Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaithersburg
#27 of 29
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#824 of 882
In district
#195 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About South Lake Elementary
South Lake Elementary serves preschool through fifth-grade students in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with an enrollment of 780 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, supported by 69 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each child's development. Academically, South Lake Elementary is currently focusing on student growth across core subjects.
In English language arts, approximately 20% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while math proficiency stands at around 16% across grades. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic improvement as it works to strengthen instructional practices and student achievement in both areas. The school is situated in a large suburban setting within Montgomery County, providing families with convenient access to community resources and services typical of suburban Gaithersburg.
South Lake Elementary welcomes families seeking a neighborhood public school experience for their young learners in this established suburban community.
Score Breakdown
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South Lake Elementary — Students at South Lake Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
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
↓ 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: 3.8/10.
How South Lake Elementary Compares
See how South Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 16.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 21.3% (2025).
Location
18201 Contour Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Strawberry Knoll Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stedwick Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Montgomery Village), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rosemont Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Oak Middle Gaithersburg | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Harriet R. Tubman Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| FORBUSH SCHOOL AT OAKMONT UPPER SCHOOL Gaithersburg | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Summit Hall Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg | 1.8 mi | — |
| Washington Grove Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| EPWORTH PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Gaithersburg | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL Montgomery Village | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Rosemont Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Shady Grove Middle Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20877 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,103
Median Home Value
$462,500
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Population
39,068
College Educated
35.2%
Homeownership
43.9%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Lake Elementary has a median household income of $86,103. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,500, with a median rent of $1,862/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Carole Highlands Elementary Takoma Park, MD | 4.7 |
| Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership Baltimore, MD | 4.7 |
| Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 4.7 |
| Imagine Foundations at Leeland PCS Upper Marlboro, MD | 4.7 |
| Pimlico Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 4.7 |
| Templeton Elementary Landover, MD | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Lake Elementary
What grades does South Lake Elementary serve?
South Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Lake Elementary?
South Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 780 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Lake Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Lake Elementary rank in MD?
South Lake Elementary is ranked #1192 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 South Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Lake Elementary has 15.8% math proficiency and 20.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, South Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Lake Elementary?
67.8% of students at South Lake 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
- City Safety
- High (1,565/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaithersburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 780
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (240) 740-7330
- 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
- #195 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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