Summary:
Zip code 20895 in Kensington, Maryland, is served by two public middle schools, Silver Creek Middle School and Newport Mill Middle School, both part of the highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools district.
Silver Creek Middle School stands out as the top academic performer, ranking in the 79th percentile statewide with a 4-star rating. It excels in English Language Arts, with 67.1% of students proficient—well above the state average—and also leads in science proficiency. In contrast, Newport Mill Middle School shows a strong upward trend, improving its state ranking from the 48th to the 63rd percentile over two years. A key finding is the "advanced math paradox": while Newport Mill has lower overall math proficiency (30% vs. 34.2% at Silver Creek), its students in advanced courses outperform, with 68.8% proficient in Algebra I compared to 54.7% at Silver Creek. Both schools have chronic absenteeism rates around 11-14%, roughly half the district average of 22.6%, indicating strong student engagement.
Spending per student is higher at Newport Mill ($22,585) than at Silver Creek ($20,132), yet Silver Creek achieves higher overall test scores, showing that spending reflects student needs rather than directly predicting performance. For parents, Silver Creek offers consistent, high-level academics, especially in reading and science, while Newport Mill provides a rapidly improving environment with exceptional advanced math opportunities. Both schools are solid choices within a top-tier district, with Newport Mill particularly appealing for families seeking strong accelerated math programs.
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