Excellent
#4 of 378 private schools in MD
Top 1% of private schools
The Primary Day School
Elementary School
7300 RIVER RD, Bethesda, MD 20817
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Maryland private schools
#4 of 378
In Bethesda
#1 of 15
public schools
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The Primary Day School
Elementary School in Bethesda · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holton-arms School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Burning Tree Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Primary Day School
The Primary Day School is a private elementary school in Bethesda, MD. The Primary Day School serves approximately 108 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 4.8:1 student-teacher ratio. The Primary Day School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 378 private schools in MD.
- This school 8.9 · Excellent
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 108 students, The Primary Day 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 4.8:1 students to teachers, The Primary Day School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
The Primary Day School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 9.1 |
| Bannockburn Elementary | 8.8 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary | 9.6 |
| Seven Locks Elementary | 9.7 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary | 9.0 |
| Wyngate Elementary | 8.9 |
| Wood Acres Elementary | 9.3 |
| Ashburton Elementary | 8.2 |
| Bethesda Elementary | 9.0 |
| Woodlin Elementary | 8.1 |
| Westbrook Elementary | 9.4 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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. Seven Locks Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wood Acres Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 9.1 |
| APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.5 mi | — |
| ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Thomas W. Pyle Middle Bethesda | 1.0 mi | 9.2 |
| LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Walt Whitman High Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 9.6 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.8 mi | 9.7 |
| North Bethesda Middle Bethesda | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Wyngate Elementary Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| 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 | 9.0 |
| GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda | 2.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Ashburton Elementary Bethesda | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Oliver Beach Elementary Baltimore, MD | 8.9 |
| TARBIYAH ACADEMY Elkridge, MD | 9.0 |
| Darlington Elementary Darlington, MD | 9.1 |
| WALDORF SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore, MD | 8.4 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Germantown, MD | 8.1 |
| CHRIST EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rockville, MD | 7.9 |
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 ranks #4 of 378 private schools in MD.
What is The Primary Day School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Primary Day School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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 County
- Phone
- (301) 365-4355
Resources & Links
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