Average
#632 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 46% in state
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
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,661
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaithersburg
#18 of 29
public schools
Maryland high schools
#18 of 226
In district
#107 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Watkins Mill High
Watkins Mill High serves 1,661 students in grades 9-12 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, operating as a comprehensive public high school in Montgomery County. With 120 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a reasonable 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in classrooms. The school earns a 6.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 547th among Maryland's 1,364 high schools, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide.
Academic performance shows strengths in English Language Arts, where 56% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 16% of students currently achieving proficiency standards. Watkins Mill High draws families from a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $100,324 and home values average $414,700.
The surrounding area reflects educational priorities, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 10.6%. Located on Apple Ridge Road, the school sits in Montgomery County's large suburban landscape, serving a diverse student body in one of Maryland's most populous and economically stable regions. The community's commitment to education and suburban setting provide a supportive environment for the school's continued development.
Score Breakdown
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Watkins Mill High — Students at Watkins Mill High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Watkins Mill High Compares
See how Watkins Mill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 16% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 43.6% (2025).
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. Goshen Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), 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 | 7.5 |
| Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Captain James E. Daly Elementary Germantown | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Whetstone Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Neelsville Middle Germantown | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Fox Chapel Elementary Germantown | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| Roberto W. Clemente Middle Germantown | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Goshen Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL, LLC Montgomery Village | 2.2 mi | — |
| Forest Oak Middle Gaithersburg | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg | 3.2 mi | — |
| S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary Germantown | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watkins Mill High has a median household income of $105,109. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $433,500, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Kenwood High Baltimore, MD | 6.6 |
| Col. Zadok Magruder High Rockville, MD | 6.7 |
| Eastern Technical High School Baltimore, MD | 6.7 |
| Northwood High Silver Spring, MD | 6.7 |
| Albert Einstein High Kensington, MD | 6.4 |
| Baltimore City College Baltimore, MD | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #632 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Watkins Mill High's MySchoolScout rating?
Watkins Mill High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Watkins Mill High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watkins Mill High has 19.3% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaithersburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (301) 284-4400
- 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
- #107 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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