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Average

#590 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 43% in state

Stephen Knolls School

School · Montgomery County Public Schools

10731 St. Margaret's Way, Kensington, MD 20895

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kensington

#4 of 7

public schools

Maryland schools

#10 of 31

In district

#96 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Stephen Knolls School

Stephen Knolls School is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in Kensington, Maryland. With an enrollment of just 54 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, the school offers personalized attention that can be hard to find at larger institutions. The dedicated teaching staff comprises 10 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with each student.

While Stephen Knolls School ranks in the 51st percentile among Maryland schools, there is room for academic growth. Test scores show that 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 20% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals through a supportive community environment.

Located in a large suburban area, Stephen Knolls School benefits from its setting’s quiet charm, providing students with a peaceful atmosphere conducive to learning and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Stephen Knolls School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Stephen Knolls School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, Stephen Knolls School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness6.1Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Stephen Knolls School — Students at Stephen Knolls School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Stephen Knolls School Compares

See how Stephen Knolls School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in MD
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

10731 St. Margaret's Way, Kensington, MD 20895

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stephen Knolls School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Rock View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Flora M. Singer Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kensington, see our Kensington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
EVERGREEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver Spring 0.3 mi 6.9
Oakland Terrace Elementary Silver Spring 0.5 mi 7.2
KEHILLAT ASHREINU MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver Spring 0.6 mi
CROSSWAY COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kensington 0.7 mi
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL Silver Spring 0.9 mi 7.7
Glen Haven Elementary Silver Spring 0.8 mi 6.6
Flora M. Singer Elementary Silver Spring 1.0 mi 7.7
Albert Einstein High Kensington 0.9 mi 6.4
Arcola Elementary Silver Spring 1.1 mi 6.4
Newport Mill Middle Kensington 1.0 mi 6.2
Sligo Middle Silver Spring 1.1 mi 5.2
Highland Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 7.6
YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON BOYS DIVISION Spring Valley 1.3 mi 6.7
LEO BERNSTEIN JEWISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS Silver Spring 1.4 mi 4.9
PATHWAYS HORIZONS Silverspring 1.3 mi
ST ANDREW APOSTLE SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.5 mi 7.7
Rock View Elementary Kensington 1.4 mi 8.2
YESHIVA OF GREATER WASHINGTON GIRLS DIVISION Silver Spring 1.8 mi 7.0
TORAH SCHOOL OF GREATER WASHINGTON Silver Spring 1.8 mi 5.6
Odessa Shannon Middle Silver Spring 1.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20895 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$169,527

Median Home Value

$744,000

Median Rent

$2,075/mo

Population

19,042

College Educated

73.8%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Stephen Knolls School has a median household income of $169,527. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $744,000, with a median rent of $2,075/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
LAUREL HALL SCHOOL Frederick, MD 6.7
PHILLIPS SCHOOL - LAUREL Laurel, MD 6.7
WASHINGTON NEW CHURCH SCHOOL Mitchellville, MD 6.7
LINWOOD SCHOOL Ellicott City, MD 6.8
MUSLIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL/ALIM ACADEMY Potomac, MD 6.6
APPLE TREE CHILDREN'S CENTER Cockeysville, MD 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stephen Knolls School

What grades does Stephen Knolls School serve?

Stephen Knolls School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Stephen Knolls School?

Stephen Knolls School has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Knolls School?

The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Knolls School is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stephen Knolls School rank in MD?

Stephen Knolls School is ranked #590 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Stephen Knolls School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephen Knolls School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Stephen Knolls School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stephen Knolls School has 20.0% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Stephen Knolls School a charter school?

No, Stephen Knolls School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Stephen Knolls School a Title I school?

No, Stephen Knolls School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Knolls School?

55.6% of students at Stephen Knolls School 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
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
Type
special_ed
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
#96 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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