Photo: westroopnerd · CC BY-SA 4.0Bethesda’s public schools outscore 72% of Maryland districts
In Bethesda, 34% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bethesda, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bethesda’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 89 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bethesda’s, its schools beat 53%, lower than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 34% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,107 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rochambeau-The French Intl School (private), Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (private), Washington Episcopal School (private), The Woods Academy (private), St. Jane de Chantal School (private), Little Flower School (private), Our Lady of Lourdes School (private), St. Bartholomews School (private), Bethesda Country Day School (private), Oneness Family School (private), Concord Hill School (private), The Bethesda Montessori School (private), The Family Academy of Bethesda (private) and Crestview Montessori School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bethesda’s grade
B+: better than 72% of Maryland school districts, #47 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bethesda, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Thomas W. Pyle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,259 students · 17:1 students per teacher
North Bethesda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,224 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Westland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 839 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Thomas W. Pyle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,259 students · 17:1 students per teacher
North Bethesda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,224 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Westland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 839 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Thomas W. Pyle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,259 students · 17:1 students per teacher
North Bethesda Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,224 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Westland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 839 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High
Grades 9–12 · 2,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Walt Whitman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,056 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High
Grades 9–12 · 2,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Walt Whitman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,056 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High
Grades 9–12 · 2,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Walt Whitman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,056 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bethesda · depends on your address
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High
Grades 9–12 · 2,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Walt Whitman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,056 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Bethesda’s public schools are run by Montgomery County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Bethesda vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Bethesda’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bethesda | B+ | Montgomery County |
| Somerset | B+ | Montgomery County |
| Chevy Chase | B+ | Montgomery County |
| Chevy Chase Village | B+ | Montgomery County |
| Glen Echo | — | Montgomery County |
All 4 neighbors share Montgomery County with Bethesda, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Washington, DC borders Bethesda but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Bethesda
26 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Bethesda’s schools
Are Bethesda’s schools good?
By Maryland’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bethesda children attend outscore 72% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #47 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bethesda in?
Montgomery County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 159,181 students in 208 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bethesda kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High and Walt Whitman High.
What is Bethesda’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Montgomery County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Bethesda spend per student?
$20,107 in Montgomery County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bethesda?
Yes: Rochambeau-The French Intl School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 1,214 students), Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (catholic · all-girls, grades PK–12, 770 students), Washington Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–8, 320 students), The Woods Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 309 students), St. Jane de Chantal School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 286 students), Little Flower School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 284 students), Our Lady of Lourdes School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 219 students), St. Bartholomews School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 165 students), Bethesda Country Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 146 students), Oneness Family School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 143 students), Concord Hill School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 109 students), The Bethesda Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 80 students), The Family Academy of Bethesda (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 78 students) and Crestview Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 15 students).
Parents talk
What Bethesda families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bethesda → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.