Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 20901

This analysis examines six elementary schools in zip code 20901 (Silver Spring, MD), all part of the Montgomery County Public Schools district, serving grades PK-5 with two schools using a unique split-campus model.

Forest Knolls Elementary stands out as the top academic performer, achieving the highest state ranking (78th percentile) and leading in both Mathematics (55.1% proficiency) and English Language Arts (58.6% proficiency), significantly outpacing district averages. In contrast, Burnt Mills Elementary faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest test scores and a chronic absenteeism rate of 27.8%—more than double its peers—alongside the highest free/reduced lunch rate (62.12%). Highland View Elementary shows the most improvement, jumping 135 spots in state ranking, though its 5th-grade scores drop sharply compared to 3rd grade, suggesting a specific instructional challenge. Montgomery Knolls Elementary (PK-2) and Pine Crest Elementary (3-5) operate as a paired school model, with Pine Crest performing well (68th percentile) and Montgomery Knolls having the highest per-student spending ($26,251) and lowest student-teacher ratio (10.7:1). Oak View Elementary performs near the middle, with moderate scores and spending.

Key takeaways for parents: Spending does not directly predict performance, as Pine Crest achieves strong results with the lowest spending ($19,150). Chronic absenteeism at Burnt Mills is a critical red flag linked to lower outcomes. Most schools exceed state math averages, but only Forest Knolls and Highland View meet state ELA benchmarks, highlighting a local weakness in English instruction. The split-school model at Montgomery Knolls and Pine Crest offers a unique educational pipeline worth investigating further.