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#886 of 1,363 schools in MD

Wheaton High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

12401 Dalewood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20906

Enrollment

2,747

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Silver Spring

#40 of 53

public schools

Maryland high schools

#58 of 226

In district

#157 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Wheaton High

Wheaton High serves 2,747 students in grades 9-12 in Silver Spring, Maryland, making it one of Montgomery County's larger high schools. With 167 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school. Academically, Wheaton High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #510 among Maryland's 1,364 high schools, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide.

The school shows strength in English Language Arts, where 60% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, with 31% of students achieving proficiency. These results reflect a school working to serve its diverse student population while building stronger academic outcomes.

The school draws from an established community where the median household income reaches $91,563 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median home value of $423,200 and relatively low poverty rate of 8.1% indicate a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class area. Wheaton High sits in Montgomery County's large suburban landscape, serving families in this well-established Silver Spring community.

What Parents Should Know

Wheaton High is a large school with 2,747 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6%
Reading vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation33.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,101

Wheaton High — Students at Wheaton High score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.9%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 7 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
50%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
60%
2025
ELA
55.6%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Wheaton High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
35th percentile in MD
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
167 teachers

Location

12401 Dalewood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wheaton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Albert Einstein High (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Kensington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John F. Kennedy High (rated 5.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Silver Spring, see our Silver Spring schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Weller Road Elementary Silver Spring 0.4 mi 6.8
A. Mario Loiederman Middle Silver Spring 0.4 mi 5.9
Highland Elementary Silver Spring 0.6 mi 7.6
Sargent Shriver Elementary Silver Spring 0.6 mi 4.8
Georgian Forest Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 6.2
Harmony Hills Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 6.9
Newport Mill Middle Kensington 1.3 mi 6.2
ROCK CREEK MONTESSORI SCHL Silver Spring 1.3 mi
CROSSWAY COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kensington 1.3 mi
Viers Mill Elementary Silver Spring 1.2 mi 5.6
Albert Einstein High Kensington 1.4 mi 6.4
Rock View Elementary Kensington 1.5 mi 8.2
Wheaton Woods Elementary Rockville 1.3 mi 6.9
Bel Pre Elementary Silver Spring 1.7 mi 7.6
Strathmore Elementary Silver Spring 1.8 mi 8.6
Glenallan Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 8.5
BARRIE SCHOOL Silver Spring 1.7 mi 8.6
ST JUDE REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rockville 1.6 mi 6.3
John F. Kennedy High Silver Spring 1.6 mi 5.7
Stephen Knolls School Kensington 2.0 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,964

Median Home Value

$440,600

Median Rent

$1,945/mo

Population

71,216

College Educated

42.4%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wheaton High has a median household income of $92,964. 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 $440,600, with a median rent of $1,945/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Parkdale High Riverdale, MD 5.8
Sherwood High Sandy Spring, MD 5.8
John F. Kennedy High Silver Spring, MD 5.7
Marriotts Ridge High Marriottsville, MD 5.7
Meade High Ft. Meade, MD 5.7
Northwest High Germantown, MD 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wheaton High

What grades does Wheaton High serve?

Wheaton High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wheaton High?

Wheaton High has an enrollment of approximately 2,747 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wheaton High?

The student-teacher ratio at Wheaton High is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wheaton High rank in MD?

Wheaton High is ranked #886 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Wheaton High's MySchoolScout rating?

Wheaton High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Wheaton High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wheaton High has 40.0% math proficiency and 60.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wheaton High a charter school?

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

Is Wheaton High a Title I school?

No, Wheaton High is not currently a Title I school.

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

52.9% of students at Wheaton 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
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,747
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
167
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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
#157 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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