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Highland Elementary

Q: Is Highland Elementary a good school?

Highland Elementary ranks 471 st of 865 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

471^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 865 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 46% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Highland Elementary in Silver Spring, MD, is a mid-sized school serving 509 students from Pre-K through 5th grade as part of the highly-regarded Montgomery County Public Schools district, and it stands out for its exceptional ability to support students from low-income backgrounds, even as it works to address challenges in math and science.

What truly sets Highland Elementary apart from nearby schools like Oakland Terrace Elementary or Georgian Forest Elementary is its remarkable effectiveness with students who qualify for free and reduced lunch—nearly 60% of its population. In a recent year, the school ranked in the 86th percentile statewide for its work with these students, a feat that suggests strong support systems are in place. It also performs well with Hispanic and English Language Learner students, ranking in the 68th and 50th percentiles respectively. However, the school has a notable gender achievement gap, with female students significantly outperforming male students, and its math proficiency (31.6%) lags behind its English Language Arts scores (39%). Science scores have also been volatile, with a concerning 11.3% proficiency rate in a recent year, though this improved to 27.8% the following year.

On a positive note, Highland has made a dramatic turnaround in chronic absenteeism, dropping from a high of 35.5% during the pandemic to 19.9%—now better than the district average and far lower than nearby schools like Harmony Hills Elementary (31.8%) and Arcola Elementary (30.8%). The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $23,403 per pupil and maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. While it sits in the middle of the pack compared to neighbors like Wheaton Woods Elementary and Rock View Elementary, its proven success with its most vulnerable students provides a strong foundation for future growth.

509

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,403

Per pupil spending ?

59.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3100 Medway St
Silver Spring, MD 20902-2225

(240) 740-1770

District: Montgomery County Public Schools

Students who attend Highland Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Newport Mill Middle
High:	Albert Einstein High
	John F. Kennedy High
	Montgomery Blair High
	Northwood High
	More...
	Wheaton High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

81.9%

White:

5.9%

Asian:

5.5%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2016 → 46th in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 12 percentile points since 2016

!English Language Arts scores 13 pts below the Maryland average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school34%

District avg48%

Maryland avg39%

471^st of 865

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 46%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 42% (2016) to bottom 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

93^rd of 132Elementary Schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools

8^th of 24Montgomery County Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	41.4	471 of 865	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.4	463 of 865	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.8	419 of 859	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.9	372 of 855	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.6	414 of 862	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	30.8	472 of 802	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.4	350 of 853	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.0	346 of 857	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.0	398 of 847	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	54.5	352 of 845	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	33.3	543 of 859	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	47.0	543 of 867	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	41.7	546 of 847	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	56.7	427 of 857	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	60.9	368 of 853	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.1	301 of 855	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	76.6	181 of 850	78.7%	★★★★☆
2008	78.3	157 of 838	81.3%	★★★★☆
2007	67.5	280 of 818	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	79.5	150 of 804	81.3%	★★★★☆
2005	79.5	144 of 805	82.1%	★★★★☆
2004	79.1	150 of 803	81.3%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	38.1	307 of 504	39.1%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	40.1	57 of 115	50.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	39.2	387 of 796	51.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	47.5	111 of 347	68.0%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	66.7	75 of 546	86.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	23.8	566 of 788	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)86th percentile+45 vs school

Hispanic (2021)68th percentile+27 vs school

Female (2021)51st percentile+10 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)50th percentile+9 vs school

African American (2021)39th percentile~ school

Male (2021)28th percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts39%-13 vs state

Mathematics32%+5 vs state

Science28%-5 vs state

3.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, May 10, 2018

Great staff and Highland has the smallest class sizes in the county. I would highly recommend this school to anyone in the area! Close Quote

Schools Near Highland Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)				MCAP English Language Arts (2026)				MCAP Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3100 Medway St	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-1770	509	41	12.3	59.9%	30 (5.9%)	27 (5.3%)	417 (81.9%)	28 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)	41.4	471^st of 865 public elementary schools	45.5%		43.4	463^rd of 865 public elementary schools	46.5%	8	27.5	34.2	33.3	31.6	32.5	40.8	44.4	39.0	27.8	$23,403	$3,438	$19,966
Weller Road Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3301 Weller Rd	Silver Spring	20906	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(301) 287-8601	691	60	11.4	65.3%	26 (3.8%)	48 (6.9%)	580 (83.9%)	28 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (1.2%)	30.7	572^nd of 865 public elementary schools	33.9%		26.4	592^nd of 865 public elementary schools	31.6%	20	24.5	32.3	26.0	27.6	31.3	30.9	32.0	31.4	19.8	$23,572	$3,130	$20,442
Sargent Shriver Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	12518 Greenly St	Silver Spring	20906	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-6330	697	58	12.1	79.6%	29 (4.2%)	52 (7.5%)	576 (82.6%)	34 (4.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.7%)	19.2	694^th of 865 public elementary schools	19.8%		19.2	698^th of 865 public elementary schools	19.3%	4	19.3	19.7	19.9	19.6	21.8	23.9	25.9	24.0	11.8	$21,869	$2,808	$19,061
Rock View Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3901 Denfeld Ave	Kensington	20895	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-0920	588	53	11.1	50.2%	138 (23.5%)	68 (11.6%)	309 (52.6%)	47 (8.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.9%)	40.1	476^th of 865 public elementary schools	45.0%		39.3	488^th of 865 public elementary schools	43.6%	12	35.0	29.9	30.9	32.1	38.4	41.4	35.8	38.4	25.0	$24,675	$1,546	$23,129
Viers Mill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11711 Joseph Mill Rd	Silver Spring	20906	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-1000	556	51	10.8	69.6%	73 (13.1%)	56 (10.1%)	377 (67.8%)	29 (5.2%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.1%)	25.4	626^th of 865 public elementary schools	27.6%		26.2	595^th of 865 public elementary schools	31.2%	31	32.3	22.9	16.9	23.3	28.3	29.0	28.0	28.4	18.5	$27,802	$3,313	$24,490
Arcola Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1820 Franwall Ave	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(301) 287-8585	747	58	12.9	57.4%	39 (5.2%)	174 (23.3%)	494 (66.1%)	27 (3.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (1.6%)	26.4	614^th of 865 public elementary schools	29.0%		24.7	615^th of 865 public elementary schools	28.9%	1	30.5	23.9	20.4	25.4	32.5	30.1	25.8	29.8	17.5	$22,848	$2,466	$20,382
Glenallan Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	12520 Heurich Rd	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-0760	679	57	11.8	61.7%	59 (8.7%)	163 (24.0%)	342 (50.4%)	68 (10.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.5%)	40.9	473^rd of 865 public elementary schools	45.3%		36.1	505^th of 865 public elementary schools	41.6%	32	38.9	33.0	16.9	29.3	47.2	46.7	37.4	43.6	20.0	$20,690	$1,288	$19,402
Oakland Terrace Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2720 Plyers Mill Rd	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-4880	500	43	11.6	30.2%	186 (37.2%)	76 (15.2%)	182 (36.4%)	19 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (7.0%)	75.4	221^st of 865 public elementary schools	74.5%		72.2	235^th of 865 public elementary schools	72.8%	14	63.4	48.4	47.5	54.7	70.7	56.5	50.8	61.0	31.7	$24,013	$1,432	$22,581
Georgian Forest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3100 Regina Dr	Silver Spring	20906	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-0720	600	48	12.6	57.8%	20 (3.3%)	98 (16.3%)	451 (75.2%)	18 (3.0%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	6 (1.0%)	20.8	672^nd of 865 public elementary schools	22.3%		22.8	646^th of 865 public elementary schools	25.3%	26	21.4	18.8	14.3	18.5	32.1	24.7	30.6	28.8	15.4	$21,633	$2,847	$18,786
Wheaton Woods Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Faroe Pl	Rockville	20853	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-0220	556	52	10.7	64.7%	23 (4.1%)	125 (22.5%)	384 (69.1%)	14 (2.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.4%)	44.3	448^th of 865 public elementary schools	48.2%		39.6	484^th of 865 public elementary schools	44.0%	36	45.8	29.5	29.5	34.9	43.9	42.9	37.9	41.5	22.7	$26,025	$3,027	$22,997

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Highland Elementary?

Students at Highland Elementary are 82% Hispanic, 6% White, 6% Asian, 5% African American, 1% Two or more races.

Is Highland Elementary a good school?

Highland Elementary ranks 471^st of 865 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Highland Elementary in?

Montgomery County Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Highland Elementary attend?

Students who attend Highland Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Newport Mill Middle
High : Albert Einstein High
High : John F. Kennedy High
High : Montgomery Blair High
High : Northwood High
High : Wheaton High

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 509 students attended Highland Elementary.

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.