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Excellent

#265 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 19% in state

Walt Whitman High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Enrollment

2,042

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#265 of 1,363

In Bethesda

#14 of 17

public schools

In district

#81 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Walt Whitman High

8.1/10

High School in Bethesda · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thomas W. Pyle Middle

9.2/10

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

Landon School

7.8/10

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

About Walt Whitman High

Walt Whitman High is a public high school in Bethesda, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Walt Whitman High serves approximately 2,042 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Walt Whitman High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #265 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Walt Whitman High show 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.9
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Walt Whitman High is a large school: 2,042 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+37.6 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation63.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism15.2%

Walt Whitman High — Students at Walt Whitman High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 90.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 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
96%
ELA
97%
2010
Math
97%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
96%
ELA
97%
2013
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2014
Math
98%
ELA
97%
2015
Math
97%
ELA
93%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2019
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2020*
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2021*
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
16.5%
ELA
88.7%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Walt Whitman High Compares

See how Walt Whitman High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
81th percentile in MD
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.1/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.1
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
117 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
63.5% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walt Whitman High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wood Acres Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas W. Pyle Middle (rated 9.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burning Tree Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Thomas W. Pyle Middle Bethesda 0.5 mi 9.2
LANDON SCHOOL Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.8
Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda 0.7 mi 8.8
ST BARTHOLOMEWS SCHOOL Bethesda 0.7 mi 7.6
Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda 1.1 mi 9.3
Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda 1.0 mi 9.1
Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda 1.3 mi 9.0
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.2 mi
THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 1.2 mi 8.9
North Bethesda Middle Bethesda 1.6 mi 8.6
HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda 1.3 mi 7.4
LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL Bethesda 1.7 mi 6.9
THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.5 mi
Wyngate Elementary Bethesda 1.9 mi 8.9
Westland Middle Bethesda 1.8 mi 8.6
Bethesda Elementary Bethesda 1.5 mi 9.0
THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda 1.9 mi 7.6
WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Bethesda 1.7 mi 8.7
WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL Bethesda 2.0 mi 7.4
ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda 2.2 mi 6.8

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
Howard High Ellicott City, MD 8.0
Rockville High Rockville, MD 8.2
Urbana High Ijamsville, MD 8.2
Winston Churchill High Potomac, MD 8.0
Baltimore City College Baltimore, MD 7.9
Quince Orchard High Gaithersburg, MD 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walt Whitman High

What grades does Walt Whitman High serve?

Walt Whitman High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Walt Whitman High?

Walt Whitman High has an enrollment of approximately 2,042 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walt Whitman High?

The student-teacher ratio at Walt Whitman High is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walt Whitman High rank in MD?

Walt Whitman High ranks #265 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Walt Whitman High's MySchoolScout rating?

Walt Whitman High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Walt Whitman High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walt Whitman High has 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Walt Whitman High a charter school?

No, Walt Whitman High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Walt Whitman High a Title I school?

No, Walt Whitman High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walt Whitman High?

6.3% of students at Walt Whitman High 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
14 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,042
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
117
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.2%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

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