Below Average
#1145 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#1,145 of 1,363
In Gaithersburg
#26 of 29
public schools
In district
#197 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
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South Lake Elementary
Elementary School in Gaithersburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest Oak Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gaithersburg Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Lake Elementary
South Lake Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. South Lake Elementary serves approximately 780 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. South Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,145 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for South Lake Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
48% of students at South Lake Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Lake Elementary — Students at South Lake Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
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 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: 4.4/10.
How South Lake Elementary Compares
See how South Lake 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
18201 Contour Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rosemont Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Strawberry Knoll Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harriet R. Tubman Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 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 | 4.9 |
| Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Harriet R. Tubman Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| FORBUSH SCHOOL AT OAKMONT UPPER SCHOOL Gaithersburg | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Summit Hall Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg | 1.8 mi | — |
| Washington Grove Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Shady Grove Middle Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf, MD | 4.5 |
| Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore, MD | 4.5 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Adelphi, MD | 4.5 |
| Georgian Forest Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 4.5 |
| James McHenry Elementary Lanham, MD | 4.5 |
| Langley Park-McCormick Elementary Hyattsville, MD | 4.5 |
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 ranks #1,145 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 South Lake Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Lake Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.3%
- Phone
- (240) 740-7330
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #197 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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