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Average

#655 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 48% in state

Westland Middle

Middle School · Montgomery County Public Schools

5511 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 20816

Enrollment

865

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethesda

#11 of 17

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#56 of 224

In district

#111 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Westland Middle

Westland Middle serves 865 students in grades 6-8 in Bethesda, Maryland, earning recognition as one of Montgomery County's stronger performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking 266th out of 1,364 Maryland schools, Westland places in the 81st percentile statewide. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 57 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, Westland shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 68% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 40% of students meeting proficiency standards. Westland draws from an exceptionally well-educated community in ZIP code 20816, where 89% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $228,311.

The neighborhood's median home value of $1.1 million reflects the area's affluent character, with only 2.9% of residents living below the poverty line. The school's location on Massachusetts Avenue places it within Bethesda's small city environment, providing students with both suburban stability and proximity to the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area's educational and cultural resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.4%
Math vs. State Avg+26.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Westland Middle — Students at Westland Middle score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 70.9%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
68%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
56.9%
ELA
76.4%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Westland Middle Compares

See how Westland Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in MD
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

5511 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 20816

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Westland Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Somerset Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Chevy Chase), which scores notably higher. Another option is WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Janney ES (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL Bethesda 0.2 mi 6.9
Westbrook Elementary Bethesda 0.4 mi 6.5
WASHINGTON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Bethesda 0.6 mi 8.7
Wood Acres Elementary Bethesda 0.7 mi 8.4
WASHINGTON WALDORF SCHOOL Bethesda 0.9 mi 7.4
Somerset Elementary Chevy Chase 1.1 mi 8.9
CONCORD HILL SCHOOL Chevy Chase 1.2 mi 6.4
ONENESS FAMILY SCHOOL Chevy Chase 1.6 mi 8.6
THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.9 mi
Bethesda Elementary Bethesda 1.9 mi 5.9
GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL Washington 1.6 mi 6.5
Walt Whitman High Bethesda 1.8 mi 5.5
Janney ES Washington 1.8 mi 8.7
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Bethesda 2.0 mi 6.8
Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda 1.8 mi 7.0
THE FAMILY ACADEMY OF BETHESDA Bethesda 2.0 mi
NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Washington 2.0 mi 6.2
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High Bethesda 2.1 mi 5.6
Jackson-Reed HS Washington 1.8 mi 7.3
Mann ES Washington 2.1 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20816 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$231,284

Median Home Value

$1,166,100

Median Rent

$2,723/mo

Population

18,081

College Educated

88.8%

Homeownership

81.3%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Westland Middle has a median household income of $231,284. It is a well-educated community where 89% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,166,100, with a median rent of $2,723/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Benjamin Tasker Middle Bowie, MD 6.5
Chesapeake Bay Middle Pasadena, MD 6.5
Salisbury Middle Salisbury, MD 6.5
Argyle Middle Silver Spring, MD 6.4
Deep Creek Middle Baltimore, MD 6.6
Elkridge Landing Middle Elkridge, MD 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Westland Middle

What grades does Westland Middle serve?

Westland Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Westland Middle?

Westland Middle has an enrollment of approximately 865 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Westland Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Westland Middle is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Westland Middle rank in MD?

Westland Middle is ranked #655 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Westland Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Westland Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Westland Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Westland Middle has 48.7% math proficiency and 70.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Westland Middle a charter school?

No, Westland Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Westland Middle a Title I school?

No, Westland Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Westland Middle?

14.1% of students at Westland Middle 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
865
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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