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Average

#737 of 1,363 schools in MD

Thomas W. Pyle Middle

Middle School · Montgomery County Public Schools

6311 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817

Enrollment

1,260

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethesda

#13 of 17

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#79 of 224

In district

#130 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Thomas W. Pyle Middle

Thomas W. Pyle Middle serves 1,260 students in grades 6 through 8 in Bethesda, Maryland, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6 to 1 and 76 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking 175th out of 1,364 schools statewide and placing in the 87th percentile among Maryland schools.

The school demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 83% of students performing at proficient or above levels across all grades. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 51% of students achieving proficiency. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence while highlighting areas for continued development.

Thomas W. Pyle Middle benefits from serving an exceptionally well-educated community where 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 20817 zip code area maintains a median household income of $231,292 and a low poverty rate of just 4.2%, with median home values reaching $1,081,500.

This affluent neighborhood context provides strong community support for educational initiatives. Located on Wilson Lane in Montgomery County, Thomas W. Pyle Middle operates within Bethesda's small city setting, offering students access to the rich educational and cultural resources of this highly regarded Maryland community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.5%
Math vs. State Avg+36.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.4 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Thomas W. Pyle Middle — Students at Thomas W. Pyle Middle score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

5.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.2%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 81.4%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
66.6%
ELA
86.5%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Thomas W. Pyle Middle Compares

See how Thomas W. Pyle Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in MD
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
5%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

6311 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas W. Pyle Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wood Acres Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ashburton Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda 0.2 mi 7.9
Walt Whitman High Bethesda 0.5 mi 5.5
ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.6
Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.6
North Bethesda Middle Bethesda 1.1 mi 6.4
Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda 1.0 mi 7.4
Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda 1.1 mi 7.0
HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda 1.0 mi 7.4
THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 1.0 mi 8.9
Wyngate Elementary Bethesda 1.4 mi 7.4
THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda 1.4 mi 7.6
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.2 mi
Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda 1.6 mi 8.4
ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda 1.8 mi 6.9
BETHESDA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 1.8 mi 4.9
THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.6 mi
ROCHAMBEAU-THE FRENCH INTL SCHOOL Bethesda 1.9 mi 7.0
Ashburton Elementary Bethesda 2.1 mi 8.0
Bethesda Elementary Bethesda 1.7 mi 5.9
FERNWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 2.2 mi

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 Thomas W. Pyle Middle 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
Bel Air Middle Bel Air, MD 6.2
Catonsville Middle Catonsville, MD 6.2
Crofton Middle Gambrills, MD 6.2
Dumbarton Middle Baltimore, MD 6.2
John T. Baker Middle School Damascus, MD 6.2
Monocacy Middle Frederick, MD 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas W. Pyle Middle

What grades does Thomas W. Pyle Middle serve?

Thomas W. Pyle Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Thomas W. Pyle Middle?

Thomas W. Pyle Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,260 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas W. Pyle Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas W. Pyle Middle is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas W. Pyle Middle rank in MD?

Thomas W. Pyle Middle is ranked #737 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Thomas W. Pyle Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas W. Pyle Middle 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.

What are the test scores at Thomas W. Pyle Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas W. Pyle Middle has 59.2% math proficiency and 81.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas W. Pyle Middle a charter school?

No, Thomas W. Pyle Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas W. Pyle Middle a Title I school?

No, Thomas W. Pyle Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas W. Pyle Middle?

5.2% of students at Thomas W. Pyle Middle 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
17 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,260
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
5.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#130 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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