Excellent
#4 of 379 private schools in MD
Top 1% of private schools
The Primary Day School
Elementary School
7300 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Bethesda. Learn more
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
4.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
4.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bethesda
#1 of 15
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#2 of 191
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About The Primary Day School
The Primary Day School is a small public elementary school located in Bethesda, Maryland. Serving preschool through second grade students, the school has an enrollment of 108 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, ensuring each child receives ample individual attention. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, The Primary Day School provides a nurturing environment that focuses more on foundational skills and social development than standardized testing.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating is currently at 5.0 out of 10, this ranking does not fully capture the unique educational experience offered by The Primary Day School. The school’s emphasis on early childhood education allows young learners to develop critical thinking and collaboration skills in a supportive setting. With no specific test score data available, it's clear that the institution is focused more on fostering a love of learning than on high-stakes assessments.
The Primary Day School sits in a small city neighborhood within Bethesda, offering students easy access to local resources and community activities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 108 students, The Primary Day 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 4.8:1, The Primary Day 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 Primary Day 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
BetaHow The Primary Day School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Bethesda, MD
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Primary Day School (this school) | 8.9 |
| Burning Tree Elementary | 7.6 |
| Bannockburn Elementary | 7.0 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary | 8.7 |
| Seven Locks Elementary | 7.9 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary | 7.4 |
| Wyngate Elementary | 7.4 |
| Wood Acres Elementary | 8.4 |
| Ashburton Elementary | 8.0 |
| Bethesda Elementary | 5.9 |
| Woodlin Elementary | 6.7 |
| Westbrook Elementary | 6.5 |
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
7300 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Primary Day School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wood Acres Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.5 mi | — |
| ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Thomas W. Pyle Middle Bethesda | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Walt Whitman High Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| North Bethesda Middle Bethesda | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Wyngate Elementary Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Ashburton Elementary Bethesda | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$240,104
Median Home Value
$1,142,300
Median Rent
$3,155/mo
Population
37,738
College Educated
85.3%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Primary Day School has a median household income of $240,104. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,142,300, with a median rent of $3,155/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Oliver Beach Elementary Baltimore, MD | 9.0 |
| TARBIYAH ACADEMY Elkridge, MD | 9.0 |
| Friendsville Elementary Friendsville, MD | 9.3 |
| WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore, MD | 8.4 |
| Crellin Elementary Oakland, MD | 9.5 |
| Darlington Elementary Darlington, MD | 9.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Primary Day School
What grades does The Primary Day School serve?
The Primary Day School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend The Primary Day School?
The Primary Day School has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Primary Day School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Primary Day School is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Primary Day School rank in MD?
The Primary Day School is ranked #4 out of 379 private schools in MD.
What is The Primary Day School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Primary Day School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Primary Day School a private school?
Yes, The Primary Day 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 Primary Day School a religious school?
No, The Primary Day School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 108
- Gender Split
- 56% M / 44% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 173 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- MONTGOMERY
- Phone
- (301) 365-4355
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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