Summary:
The 10 schools in Rockville, MD (zip code 20850) are part of the highly-ranked Montgomery County Public Schools district and serve a wide range of students from elementary through high school, including specialized programs. The standout academic performers are Thomas S. Wootton High, Robert Frost Middle School, Fallsmead Elementary, and Lakewood Elementary, all of which hold 5-star ratings and rank among the top schools in Maryland. In contrast, John L Gildner Regional Inst for Children & Adol and Carl Sandburg Center are specialized schools with very high per-student spending and low academic metrics, serving students with intensive needs.
Key metrics reveal a stark contrast between schools. For example, Robert Frost Middle School has a chronic absenteeism rate of just 9.6% and exceptional advanced math proficiency (97.7% in Algebra II), while Carl Sandburg Center has a 46.7% absenteeism rate. Per-student spending ranges from $17,557 at Fallsmead Elementary to over $77,000 at the specialized schools, showing that higher spending does not guarantee higher test scores. The average math proficiency across all schools is 36.8%, while ELA proficiency averages 51.9%, with Thomas S. Wootton High leading at 87% in ELA.
An interesting finding is the "Algebra I paradox" at Thomas S. Wootton High, where only 8.6% of students are proficient in Algebra I because most high achievers take the test earlier at feeder middle schools like Robert Frost Middle School (72.9% proficient). Additionally, Julius West Middle and Robert Frost Middle School serve the same zip code but have very different profiles, with Robert Frost showing lower poverty rates and higher academic performance. College Gardens Elementary is a notable improver, rising from a 3-star to a 4-star rating over three years.
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