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Average

#212 of 379 private schools in MD

The Nora School

High School

955 SLIGO AVE, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 48 schools in Silver Spring. Learn more

Enrollment

65

Student-Teacher

6.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Silver Spring

#12 of 16

public schools

Maryland high schools

#31 of 49

About The Nora School

The Nora School is a high school located in the heart of Silver Spring, Maryland. Serving grades 9 through 12, this small but dedicated institution has an enrollment of just 65 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from its ten full-time teachers. While MySchoolScout's rating for The Nora School is currently 5.0 out of 10, it ranks first among all high schools in Maryland, placing it at the 100th percentile statewide despite not having available test score data or an academic score.

This unique standing suggests that while traditional metrics might not fully capture its achievements, the school focuses on individual student development and growth. Set within a large suburban area, The Nora School is immersed in a community rich with cultural diversity and educational resources. Its setting offers students easy access to libraries, museums, and other enriching local amenities, enhancing their learning experience beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 65 students, The Nora 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, The Nora 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.

As a private school, The Nora School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Nora School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Silver Spring, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
This School
vs
15.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
65
This School
vs
2,215
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73.8% vs 0%
Black 18.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.6% vs 0%
Asian 3.1% vs 0%
The Nora School Silver Spring Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
The Nora School (this school) 6.2
Montgomery Blair High 5.5
Northwood High 6.7
Springbrook High 5.9
John F. Kennedy High 5.7
Wheaton High 5.8
James Hubert Blake High 5.6

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 42%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 65
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 73.8%
Black 18.5%
Hispanic 4.6%
Asian 3.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

955 SLIGO AVE, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Nora School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. District of Columbia International School (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Coolidge HS (rated 5.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Washington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Silver Spring, see our Silver Spring schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
East Silver Spring Elementary Silver Spring 0.6 mi 8.3
Shepherd ES Washington 0.6 mi 8.6
GODDARD SCHOOL IN SILVER SPRING THE Silver Spring 0.7 mi
ASHREINU SCHOOL FOR GIRLS INC. Washington 0.8 mi
Takoma Park Middle Silver Spring 0.8 mi 5.8
Sligo Creek Elementary Silver Spring 0.9 mi 7.6
LOWELL SCHOOL Washington 0.8 mi 8.4
Silver Spring International Middle Silver Spring 0.9 mi 5.4
Takoma Park Elementary Takoma Park 0.9 mi 5.4
Takoma ES Washington 1.1 mi 7.7
Piney Branch Elementary Takoma Park 1.0 mi 8.0
District of Columbia International School Washington 1.3 mi 6.9
THE AUBURN SCHOOL SILVER SPRING CAMPUS Silver Spring 1.3 mi 6.8
Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington 1.3 mi 6.2
Highland View Elementary Silver Spring 1.3 mi 9.5
ACORN HILL WALDORF KINDERGARTEN & NURSERY Silver Spring 1.5 mi
Rosemary Hills Elementary Silver Spring 1.3 mi 7.3
THE SPRINGWELL SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.6 mi
Coolidge HS Washington 1.6 mi 5.1
Ida B. Wells MS Washington 1.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,994

Median Home Value

$690,900

Median Rent

$1,992/mo

Population

45,096

College Educated

74.1%

Homeownership

34.6%

Avg Commute

32.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Nora School has a median household income of $107,994. 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 $690,900, with a median rent of $1,992/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
MESIVTA KESSER TORAH OF BALTIMORE Pikesville, MD 6.0
Post Secondary Program Westminster, MD 5.8
John L Gildner Regional Inst for Children & Adol Rockville, MD 6.7
Eager Street Academy Baltimore, MD 6.8
Home Assignments-Secondary Towson, MD 6.8
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia, MD 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Nora School

What grades does The Nora School serve?

The Nora School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend The Nora School?

The Nora School has an enrollment of approximately 65 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Nora School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Nora School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Nora School rank in MD?

The Nora School is ranked #212 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is The Nora School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Nora School has a composite rating of 6.2 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.

Is The Nora School a private school?

Yes, The Nora School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Nora School a religious school?

No, The Nora School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
65
Gender Split
54% M / 46% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
MONTGOMERY
Data Year
2022–2023

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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