Average
#1091 of 1,363 schools in MD
Walter Johnson High
High School · Montgomery County Public Schools
6400 Rock Spring Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814
Enrollment
2,984
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,984
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bethesda
#17 of 17
public schools
Maryland high schools
#129 of 226
In district
#188 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
About Walter Johnson High
Walter Johnson High serves 2,984 students in grades 9-12 in Bethesda, Maryland, making it one of Montgomery County's larger high schools. With 159 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #215 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
Students show particularly solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 80% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Math performance reaches 67% proficiency, reflecting the school's overall academic strength with an impressive 9.7 out of 10 academic score. Walter Johnson High draws from an exceptionally well-educated community in the 20814 ZIP code, where 85% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $149,657.
The area's low poverty rate of 4.3% and median home values of $941,500 reflect the affluent character of this Bethesda neighborhood. The school sits on Rock Spring Drive in this small city setting, serving families in one of Montgomery County's most educationally focused communities.
What's said publicly about Walter Johnson High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Walter Johnson High is a large school with 2,984 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Walter Johnson High — Students at Walter Johnson High score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.5/10.
How Walter Johnson High Compares
See how Walter Johnson High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 11.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 84.4% (2025).
Location
6400 Rock Spring Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter Johnson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby North Bethesda), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rock Terrace School (rated 4.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Rockville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ashburton Elementary Bethesda | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| FERNWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda | 0.5 mi | — |
| ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL INC. Rockville | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| MANOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL-ROCKVILLE Rockville | 1.0 mi | — |
| Tilden Middle Rockville | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Rock Terrace School Rockville | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Woodlin Elementary Bethesda | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Wyngate Elementary Bethesda | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Luxmanor Elementary Rockville | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| ROCHAMBEAU-THE FRENCH INTL SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL North Bethesda | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| BETHESDA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North Bethesda Middle Bethesda | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| THE DIENER SCHOOL North Bethesda | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| EXECUTIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Rockville | 1.6 mi | — |
| Farmland Elementary Rockville | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Rockville | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20814 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$150,401
Median Home Value
$976,500
Median Rent
$2,329/mo
Population
30,822
College Educated
84.3%
Homeownership
52.6%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walter Johnson High has a median household income of $150,401. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $976,500, with a median rent of $2,329/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| North Point High School Waldorf, MD | 5.1 |
| Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High Upper Marlboro, MD | 5.0 |
| North County High Glen Burnie, MD | 5.0 |
| Paint Branch High Burtonsville, MD | 5.2 |
| Thomas S. Wootton High Rockville, MD | 5.2 |
| Parkville High Baltimore, MD | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter Johnson High
What grades does Walter Johnson High serve?
Walter Johnson High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Walter Johnson High?
Walter Johnson High has an enrollment of approximately 2,984 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter Johnson High?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter Johnson High is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter Johnson High rank in MD?
Walter Johnson High is ranked #1091 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Walter Johnson High's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter Johnson High has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Walter Johnson High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter Johnson High has 59.7% math proficiency and 83.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter Johnson High a charter school?
No, Walter Johnson High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter Johnson High a Title I school?
No, Walter Johnson High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter Johnson High?
18.2% of students at Walter Johnson 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.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,984
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 159
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (240) 740-6900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #188 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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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