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Needs Improvement

#1323 of 1,363 schools in MD

Stephen Knolls School

School · Montgomery County Public Schools

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

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,323 of 1,363

In Kensington

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#204 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

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Stephen Knolls School

2.9/10

School in Kensington · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Evergreen Montessori School

6.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oakland Terrace Elementary

8.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Stephen Knolls School

Stephen Knolls School is a public school in Kensington, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Stephen Knolls School serves approximately 54 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Stephen Knolls School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,323 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Stephen Knolls School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares4.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 7.3
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 54 students, Stephen Knolls School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 5.4:1 students to teachers, Stephen Knolls School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

65% of students at Stephen Knolls School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-6.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism64.8%

Stephen Knolls School — Students at Stephen Knolls School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
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: 1.5/10.

How Stephen Knolls School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in MD
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
64.8%

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. Flora M. Singer Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakland Terrace Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), which scores notably 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 8.4
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 6.3
Flora M. Singer Elementary Silver Spring 1.0 mi 8.6
Albert Einstein High Kensington 0.9 mi 7.2
Arcola Elementary Silver Spring 1.1 mi 4.8
Newport Mill Middle Kensington 1.0 mi 6.9
Sligo Middle Silver Spring 1.1 mi 7.4
Highland Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 6.8
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 5.9
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 5.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Calvert Country School Prince Frederick, MD 2.9
Battle Monument School Baltimore, MD 2.5
Marshall Street School Hagerstown, MD 2.5
Longview School Germantown, MD 2.2
Rock Creek Walkersville, MD 2.1
BITTINGER MENNONITE SCHOOL Bittinger, MD 3.9

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 ranks #1,323 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Stephen Knolls School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephen Knolls School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Stephen Knolls School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stephen Knolls School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
71 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
64.8%

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#204 of 206

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