Summary:
Zip code 20896 is home to a single, high-performing public school: Garrett Park Elementary, which serves students from Kindergarten through 5th grade with a total enrollment of 724 students.
As the only school in the area, Garrett Park Elementary stands out for its exceptional academic performance, particularly in Mathematics, where 51.8% of students are proficient—nearly double the state average of 27.1% and well above the Montgomery County Public Schools district average of 36.9%. The school also excels in English Language Arts, with 64.1% proficiency compared to the state's 51.7%, and in 5th-grade Science, where 47.1% of students are proficient versus the state's 32.4%. With a low chronic absenteeism rate of 16.8% (compared to the district's 22.6%) and a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch (24.86%), the school benefits from strong attendance and resource allocation, including a per-student spending of $18,285. The student-teacher ratio is 16.7:1, and the school has consistently earned a 4-star rating, though its state ranking has slightly declined from the 86th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 79th percentile in 2025-2026.
While Garrett Park Elementary outperforms district and state averages across all subjects, internal grade-level data reveals a notable "4th-grade math dip," with only 46.9% proficiency compared to 54.3% in 5th grade and 54% in 3rd grade. This suggests a potential area for targeted support. Additionally, Science proficiency, while above average, is the school's weakest relative performance, trailing the district by only 7 points compared to a 15-point lead in Math. Overall, this school offers a strong educational foundation with clear strengths in math and literacy, making it a standout choice for families in the area.
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