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Average

#899 of 1,363 schools in MD

Watkins Mill High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

10301 Apple Ridge Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Enrollment

1,661

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#899 of 1,363

In Gaithersburg

#20 of 29

public schools

In district

#176 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

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Watkins Mill High

5.5/10

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

Georgetown Hill Early School

5.4/10

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

Stedwick Elementary

5.0/10

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

About Watkins Mill High

Watkins Mill High is a public high school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Watkins Mill High serves approximately 1,661 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Watkins Mill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #899 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Watkins Mill High show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

56% of students at Watkins Mill High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation13.4%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism56.2%

Watkins Mill High — Students at Watkins Mill High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 27 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
83%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
56%
2025
ELA
43.6%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Watkins Mill High Compares

See how Watkins Mill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in MD
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.1
Sports
16
8 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
120 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
13.4% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·563 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·28 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

10301 Apple Ridge Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watkins Mill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fox Chapel Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL Montgomery Village 0.5 mi 5.4
Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village 0.7 mi 5.0
Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village 0.9 mi 5.1
Captain James E. Daly Elementary Germantown 0.9 mi 5.8
Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village 1.2 mi 5.0
Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg 1.3 mi 5.4
Neelsville Middle Germantown 1.5 mi 5.8
Fox Chapel Elementary Germantown 1.6 mi 8.4
Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown 1.9 mi 6.2
OPTIMAL LEARNING SCHOOL Germantown 1.9 mi
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Germantown 1.9 mi 8.1
MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL Gaithersburg 1.8 mi 8.0
South Lake Elementary Gaithersburg 2.2 mi 4.5
Roberto W. Clemente Middle Germantown 2.1 mi 7.0
Goshen Elementary Gaithersburg 2.1 mi 7.1
Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg 2.2 mi 6.7
VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL, LLC Montgomery Village 2.2 mi
Forest Oak Middle Gaithersburg 2.7 mi 4.9
NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg 3.2 mi
S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary Germantown 2.6 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20879 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,109

Median Home Value

$433,500

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

26,120

College Educated

41.6%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

32.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret, MD 5.5
North Caroline High School Ridgely, MD 5.5
Elkton High Elkton, MD 5.4
Great Mills High Great Mills, MD 5.6
Manchester Valley High Manchester, MD 5.6
Northeast High Pasadena, MD 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watkins Mill High

What grades does Watkins Mill High serve?

Watkins Mill High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Watkins Mill High?

Watkins Mill High has an enrollment of approximately 1,661 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watkins Mill High?

The student-teacher ratio at Watkins Mill High is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watkins Mill High rank in MD?

Watkins Mill High ranks #899 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Watkins Mill High's MySchoolScout rating?

Watkins Mill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Watkins Mill High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watkins Mill High has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Watkins Mill High a charter school?

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

Is Watkins Mill High a Title I school?

No, Watkins Mill High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watkins Mill High?

53.3% of students at Watkins Mill 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,661
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
120
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.2%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

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

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