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Excellent

#284 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 21% in state

Winston Churchill High

High School · Montgomery County Public Schools

11300 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Enrollment

2,203

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#284 of 1,363

In Potomac

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#85 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Winston Churchill High

8.0/10

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

St Andrew's Episcopal School

7.1/10

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

Herbert Hoover Middle

9.1/10

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

About Winston Churchill High

Winston Churchill High is a public high school in Potomac, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Winston Churchill High serves approximately 2,203 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Winston Churchill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #284 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Winston Churchill High show 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.9
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Winston Churchill High is a large school: 2,203 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.6% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.5 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation75.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

Winston Churchill High — Students at Winston Churchill High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 86.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 88.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 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
97%
ELA
97%
2010
Math
98%
ELA
97%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
96%
ELA
97%
2013
Math
97%
ELA
96%
2014
Math
98%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
97%
ELA
96%
2016
Math
94%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
84%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
84%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
83%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
22.2%
ELA
84.6%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Winston Churchill High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
79th percentile in MD
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
5.2/10
Average
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
11%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
123 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
75.3% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·29 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

11300 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Winston Churchill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cold Spring Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Seven Locks Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bells Mill Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Potomac, see our Potomac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Potomac 0.2 mi 7.1
Herbert Hoover Middle Potomac 0.3 mi 9.1
MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac 0.4 mi 8.1
Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac 0.6 mi 9.1
IVYMOUNT SCHOOL Rockville 0.6 mi 7.8
THE MADDUX SCHOOL Rockville 0.6 mi 6.6
Bells Mill Elementary Potomac 0.8 mi 9.3
Cabin John Middle Potomac 0.9 mi 9.0
GENEVA DAY SCHOOL Potomac 0.9 mi
MUSLIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL/ALIM ACADEMY Potomac 1.0 mi 6.6
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac 1.2 mi 5.6
ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Rockville 1.2 mi 6.4
Ritchie Park Elementary Rockville 1.3 mi 9.1
NO CHANGE! Potomac 1.1 mi 6.1
Cold Spring Elementary Potomac 1.3 mi 9.7
Farmland Elementary Rockville 1.5 mi 8.4
BULLIS SCHOOL Potomac 1.8 mi 7.1
MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda 2.1 mi 5.8
Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda 2.2 mi 9.7
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac 2.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,105,300

Median Rent

$3,180/mo

Population

49,694

College Educated

85.7%

Homeownership

89.9%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

47.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Howard High Ellicott City, MD 8.0
Baltimore City College Baltimore, MD 7.9
Quince Orchard High Gaithersburg, MD 7.9
Severna Park High Severna Park, MD 7.9
South River High Edgewater, MD 7.9
Walt Whitman High Bethesda, MD 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Winston Churchill High

What grades does Winston Churchill High serve?

Winston Churchill High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Winston Churchill High?

Winston Churchill High has an enrollment of approximately 2,203 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Winston Churchill High?

The student-teacher ratio at Winston Churchill High is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Winston Churchill High rank in MD?

Winston Churchill High ranks #284 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Winston Churchill High's MySchoolScout rating?

Winston Churchill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Winston Churchill High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Winston Churchill High has 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Winston Churchill High a charter school?

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

Is Winston Churchill High a Title I school?

No, Winston Churchill High is not currently a Title I school.

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

10.5% of students at Winston Churchill 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,203
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
123
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

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

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