Average
#922 of 1,363 schools in MD
Whetstone Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
19201 Thomas Farm Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#922 of 1,363
In Gaithersburg
#21 of 29
public schools
In district
#179 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Whetstone Elementary
Elementary School in Gaithersburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Montgomery Village Middle
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Stedwick Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Whetstone Elementary
Whetstone Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaithersburg, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Whetstone Elementary serves approximately 718 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Whetstone Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #922 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Whetstone Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Whetstone Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whetstone Elementary — Students at Whetstone Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 4.6/10.
How Whetstone Elementary Compares
See how Whetstone Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
19201 Thomas Farm Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whetstone Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Goshen Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Strawberry Knoll Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaithersburg, see our Gaithersburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Village Middle Montgomery Village | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Stedwick Elementary Montgomery Village | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Watkins Mill Elementary Montgomery Village | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Strawberry Knoll Elementary Gaithersburg | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| South Lake Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL Montgomery Village | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Forest Oak Middle Gaithersburg | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL Gaithersburg | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL, LLC Montgomery Village | 1.5 mi | — |
| Goshen Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Gaithersburg Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Harriet R. Tubman Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| FORBUSH SCHOOL AT OAKMONT UPPER SCHOOL Gaithersburg | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Gaithersburg High Gaithersburg | 2.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Captain James E. Daly Elementary Germantown | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| NIST CHILD CARE CENTER Gaithersburg | 2.7 mi | — |
| Washington Grove Elementary Gaithersburg | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Bladensburg Elementary Bladensburg, MD | 5.4 |
| Centreville Elementary School Centreville, MD | 5.4 |
| Curtis Bay Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.4 |
| Halls Cross Roads Elementary Aberdeen, MD | 5.4 |
| Laurel Elementary Laurel, MD | 5.4 |
| Oaklands Elementary Laurel, MD | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whetstone Elementary
What grades does Whetstone Elementary serve?
Whetstone Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whetstone Elementary?
Whetstone Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whetstone Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whetstone Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whetstone Elementary rank in MD?
Whetstone Elementary ranks #922 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Whetstone Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whetstone Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Whetstone Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Whetstone Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Whetstone Elementary a charter school?
No, Whetstone Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whetstone Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whetstone Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whetstone Elementary?
54.0% of students at Whetstone Elementary 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.5%
- Phone
- (240) 740-1060
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #179 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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