Excellent
#265 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 19% in state
Walt Whitman High
High School · Montgomery County Public Schools · Bethesda, MD
A Montgomery County Public Schools high school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817
- Math 17% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 89% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 96.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Walt Whitman High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 38 points since 2020, to 53% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 87% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 90% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
6.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Walt Whitman High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Washington DC map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 14Car-Dependent
- Transit 33Some Transit
- Bike 34Somewhat Bikeable
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$240,104
Median home value
$1,142,300
Median rent
$3,155/mo
College educated
85.3%
Homeownership
82.3%
Poverty rate
4.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 20817; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landon SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.8 | 3–12 | 0.7 mi | 697 | Compare → |
| Holton-arms SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.4 | 3–12 | 1.3 mi | 668 | Compare → |
| Oneness Family SchoolPrivate · tuition | 8.6 | PK–12 | 2.0 mi | 85 | Compare → |
| Washington Waldorf SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.4 | PK–12 | 2.0 mi | 253 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Montgomery County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 211
- Rank in district
- #81 of 206
- District spending per student
- $19,456NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Walt Whitman High is listed in Montgomery County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Walt Whitman High
Walt Whitman High is a public high school in Bethesda, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools, serving approximately 2,042 students in grades 9th-12th with a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #265 of 1,363 schools in MD. State assessment records show 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,042
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 117
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.2%
- Phone
- (240) 740-4800
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
- Area population (ZIP 20817)
- 37,738
- Area average commute
- 30.2 min
- Area median age
- 45.5
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 20817; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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