Summary:
The five public schools in zip code 20855 (Rockville/Derwood, MD) are part of the highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools district and serve students from elementary through high school, offering a mix of standout performers and schools facing significant challenges.
Candlewood Elementary is the clear academic leader in the area, boasting the highest test scores in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA), the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (15.0%), and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (33.24%). In contrast, Col. Zadok Magruder High presents a paradox: it has a strong graduation rate (90.3%) and excellent ELA proficiency (63%), but a staggering math crisis with only 1.9% of students proficient. Redland Middle also struggles, with overall Math (25.3%) and ELA (48.6%) proficiency rates well below district averages, and a troubling "math cliff" where proficiency drops from 31.1% in 6th grade to just 7.1% in 7th grade. Among the elementary schools, Mill Creek Towne Elementary consistently outperforms Sequoyah Elementary in both Math (51.4% vs. 41.5%) and ELA (55.4% vs. 48.8%), despite having very similar demographics and spending levels.
Key metrics reveal high per-pupil spending (over $20,000) and low student-teacher ratios across the zip code, yet results vary widely. Chronic absenteeism is a major issue at Magruder High (37.9%), while Candlewood Elementary excels in attendance. The data suggests that while resources are strong, targeted interventions are needed at Redland Middle and Magruder High to address specific academic weaknesses, particularly in math. Overall, families in this area have access to excellent elementary options, but should be aware of the significant challenges at the middle and high school levels.
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