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Kemp Mill Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

726^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 16% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Kemp Mill Elementary in Silver Spring, MD, is a PK-5 school within Montgomery County Public Schools that serves 412 students and faces significant challenges, including high economic need and low academic performance compared to nearby schools.

Academically, Kemp Mill Elementary is struggling, with proficiency rates that are the lowest in the immediate area. In the most recent school year, only 18.6% of students were proficient in Math and 23.9% in English Language Arts, far below the district averages of 36.9% and 58.5%, respectively. This is a stark contrast to nearby high-performing schools like Westover Elementary, which achieved 56.6% Math and 70.7% ELA proficiency. A particularly concerning trend is the severe decline in performance as students move to upper grades: Math proficiency drops from 30% in 3rd grade to just 7% in 5th grade, and Science proficiency in 5th grade is only 1.7%, compared to the district average of 40.1%. The school also has the highest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at 24.9%, and a Free and Reduced Lunch rate of 70.87%, indicating a high concentration of economic disadvantage.

Despite these challenges, Kemp Mill Elementary spends a significant amount per student—$23,409 in the 2023-2024 school year—and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 10:1. However, these resources have not translated into academic success, suggesting that the school needs to reassess how it addresses the specific needs of its student population, particularly its English Language Learners, who perform poorly. While the school shows some relative strength for low-income students, the overall data points to a need for targeted interventions, especially in upper elementary grades and Science instruction, to overcome the barriers of poverty and absenteeism.

412

Students ?

10.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,409

Per pupil spending ?

70.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

411 Sisson St
Silver Spring, MD 20902

(240) 740-5970

District: Montgomery County Public Schools

Students who attend Kemp Mill Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Odessa Shannon Middle
High:	Albert Einstein High
	John F. Kennedy High
	Montgomery Blair High
	Northwood High
	More...
	Wheaton High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

85.2%

African American:

11.4%

White:

2.9%

See top rated Maryland elementary schools

Compare Kemp Mill Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 33rd percentile in 2016 → 16th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (19% vs 39% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (16th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school19%

District avg48%

Maryland avg39%

726^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Bottom 16%▼ down 18 pts since 2016

From bottom 33% (2016) to bottom 16% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

127^th of 132Elementary Schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools

8^th of 25Montgomery 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	16.8	726 of 864	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.2	697 of 865	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	14.7	730 of 859	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.0	680 of 855	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.5	638 of 862	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.8	613 of 802	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	35.3	502 of 853	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.1	466 of 857	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	37.7	490 of 847	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	31.3	562 of 845	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	17.9	719 of 859	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	14.6	770 of 867	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.9	660 of 847	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	25.9	699 of 857	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	17.8	751 of 853	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	24.5	729 of 855	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	44.1	552 of 850	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	48.5	505 of 838	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	61.2	351 of 818	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.8	323 of 804	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2005	59.7	369 of 805	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2004	59.6	381 of 803	52.6%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	28.6	89 of 115	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	20.3	635 of 796	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	35.3	203 of 347	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	44.9	252 of 546	53.8%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	27.9	512 of 788	35.0%	★★☆☆☆

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)54th percentile+30 vs school

Hispanic (2021)41st percentile+18 vs school

Male (2021)35th percentile+11 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)23rd percentile~ school

Female (2021)20th percentile-3 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts24%-28 vs state

Mathematics19%-8 vs state

Science2%-31 vs state

3.8

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, June 18, 2015

We are past and current parents of a student at KMES. We are very happy here, and have seen nothing but care and professionalism from the staff and principal. Our child has grown and blossomed and is known as an individual. Where she needed help, she has received help. Where she has needed challenge, she has received challenge. Some of the teachers that are there now were there years ago when our older daughter attended the school. They are teachers I highly respect and if the school was terrible, why would they stay for 10+ years?

It is a warm community school. I have visited other ES in the area that are cold and institutional-feeling. KMES feels like home.

The teachers are amazing. They do so much for the school on their own time and own dime. The PTA is active. When the district solicited input on a new principal, more parents attended that meeting than had attended a similar meeting at Blair.

I have not felt that the Title 1 designation or the multicultural community has negatively affected our child. In fact, the dual language program (unique to Kemp Mill) has been an incredible opportunity for her. (There are also English-only classes for children or families who opt out. Spanish is not mandatory.) Our child is ahead in English reading and math, so the dual language program is not holding her back academically. They also get weekly STEM class, whereas in some "big name" schools, they get science lab once or twice a month. There are clubs like Garden Club and MineCraft coding club, as well as events like Cuddle Up and Read.

Teachers are so important to a child's learning and our child has loved all her teachers. The one teacher we didn't like with our older daughter retired years ago. We have friends with children in other county schools who have not been as happy.

I would encourage prospective families to actually visit the school and talk to current parents. Schools are more than just dots on a chart. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

My daughter has had a great experience at this school. The principal, Floyd Starnes, has really taken the time to understand her as an individual. At her previous school, she was made fun of and the teachers never really thought she was smart. Mr. Starnes and his excellent staff have really helped my daughter shine. She LOVES to go to school now. She really loves her teacher, Neolia Parson. What a difference a good school can make! Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, May 3, 2010

This school has declined over the past few years. The accelerated curriculum is not as advanced as other public schools in the county (yes, I have compared), the current principal does not believe in homework and there is a large level of disrespect by the the older students towards their teachers. Despite the dual language classrooms, the school as a whole is declining in overall academic opportunities. Close Quote

Schools Near Kemp Mill 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	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
Kemp Mill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	411 Sisson St	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-5970	412	41	10.0	70.9%	12 (2.9%)	47 (11.4%)	351 (85.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16.8	726^th of 864 public elementary schools	16.0%		19.2	697^th of 865 public elementary schools	19.4%	29	30.0	18.3	7.0	18.6	30.0	26.7	14.3	23.9	1.7	$23,409	$2,618	$20,790
Forest Knolls Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10830 Eastwood Ave	Silver Spring	20901	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-1640	472	43	11.0	41.1%	133 (28.2%)	95 (20.1%)	190 (40.3%)	26 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.9%)	78.9	189^th of 864 public elementary schools	78.1%		70.5	252^nd of 865 public elementary schools	70.9%	63	55.6	52.2	57.9	55.1	54.3	62.1	60.7	58.6	57.9	$23,621	$1,126	$22,495
Burnt Mills Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	11211 Childs Street	Silver Spring	20901	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(240) 740-7320	747	57	13.1	62.1%	98 (13.1%)	323 (43.2%)	147 (19.7%)	145 (19.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.4%)	36.4	509^th of 864 public elementary schools	41.1%		33.2	528^th of 865 public elementary schools	39.0%	19	32.7	27.1	36.0	31.6	38.4	34.3	35.7	36.1	18.8	$20,968	$2,381	$18,587
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	613^th of 864 public elementary schools	29.1%		24.7	615^th of 865 public elementary schools	28.9%	2	30.5	23.9	20.4	25.4	32.5	30.1	25.8	29.8	17.5	$22,848	$2,466	$20,382
Glen Haven Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10900 Inwood Ave	Silver Spring	20902	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 649-8051	540	46	11.6	64.4%	83 (15.4%)	114 (21.1%)	289 (53.5%)	22 (4.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	29 (5.4%)	38.9	490^th of 864 public elementary schools	43.3%		33.8	521^st of 865 public elementary schools	39.8%	31	35.1	28.8	32.1	32.2	43.2	29.7	35.7	36.5	23.8	$21,450	$1,029	$20,421
Jackson Road Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	900 Jackson Rd	Silver Spring	20904	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-0800	623	55	11.2	59.4%	35 (5.6%)	286 (45.9%)	241 (38.7%)	34 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.3%)	32.2	553^rd of 864 public elementary schools	36.0%		35.5	514^th of 865 public elementary schools	40.6%	39	28.6	23.1	30.8	27.5	32.0	27.9	36.0	32.0	25.6	$22,906	$2,895	$20,011
Pine Crest Elementary	Public, Magnet	3-5	201 Woodmoor Dr	Silver Spring	20901	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(240) 740-1970	493	35	14.2	52.9%	127 (25.8%)	86 (17.4%)	228 (46.2%)	27 (5.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.9%)	66.9	276^th of 864 public elementary schools	68.1%		64.5	296^th of 865 public elementary schools	65.8%	20	41.5	48.7	49.4	47.0	44.4	51.6	53.0	50.1	45.1	$19,150	$990	$18,160
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 864 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
Cresthaven Elementary	Public	3-5	1234 Cresthaven Dr	Silver Spring	20903	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(240) 740-0580	474	40	11.7	62.7%	11 (2.3%)	188 (39.7%)	242 (51.1%)	19 (4.0%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	9 (1.9%)	24.9	630^th of 864 public elementary schools	27.1%		26	598^th of 865 public elementary schools	30.9%	32	28.0	23.8	21.2	24.2	27.9	27.5	25.8	27.1	18.1	$23,811	$2,877	$20,934
Cannon Road Elementary	Public	K-5	901 Cannon Road	Silver Spring	20904	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(240) 740-0520	388	39	9.9	58.2%	21 (5.4%)	142 (36.6%)	176 (45.4%)	32 (8.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.9%)	31.3	564^th of 864 public elementary schools	34.7%		33.5	527^th of 865 public elementary schools	39.1%	37	41.2	10.5	14.3	23.2	51.6	33.3	28.6	38.4	14.3	$27,409	$2,775	$24,634

Frequently Asked Questions about Kemp Mill Elementary

What schools do graduates of Kemp Mill Elementary attend?

Students who attend Kemp Mill Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Odessa Shannon Middle
High : Albert Einstein High
High : John F. Kennedy High
High : Montgomery Blair High
High : Northwood High
High : Wheaton High

What is the racial makeup of Kemp Mill Elementary?

Students at Kemp Mill Elementary are 85% Hispanic, 11% African American, 3% White.

What district is Kemp Mill Elementary in?

Montgomery County Public Schools

How many students attend Kemp Mill Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 412 students attended Kemp Mill Elementary.

Is Kemp Mill Elementary a good school?

Kemp Mill Elementary ranks in the bottom 16.0% of Maryland elementary schools.

Rate Kemp Mill 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.