For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 16,142 students in Bethesda, MD (there are 23 private schools, serving 6,370 private students). 71% of all K-12 students in Bethesda, MD are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%). Bethesda has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Maryland.
The top-ranked public schools in Bethesda, MD are Walt Whitman High School, Bradley Hills Elementary School and Bannockburn Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bethesda, MD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Maryland public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Bethesda have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Maryland public schools.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Maryland public school average of 69% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Bethesda, MD (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Walt Whitman High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7100 Whittier Blvd
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-4800
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 2,056 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Bradley Hills Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
8701 Hartsdale Ave
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 204-5210
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 204-5210
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Bannockburn Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
6520 Dalroy Ln
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1270
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1270
Gr: K-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #44.
Seven Locks Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9500 Seven Locks Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0940
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0940
Gr: K-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #55.
Westbrook Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5110 Allan Ter
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1040
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1040
Gr: K-5 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #66.
Carderock Springs Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7401 Persimmon Tree Lane
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0540
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-0540
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Wyngate Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9300 Wadsworth Dr
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1080
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1080
Gr: K-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Wood Acres Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5800 Cromwell Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1120
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-1120
Gr: PK-5 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Walter Johnson High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6400 Rock Spring Dr
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 740-6900
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 740-6900
Gr: 9-12 | 3,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1010.
Bethesda-chevy Chase High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4301 East-west Hwy
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 740-0400
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 740-0400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,377 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1111.
Burning Tree Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7900 Beech Tree Rd
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1750
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1750
Gr: K-5 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1212.
Thomas W. Pyle Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6311 Wilson Lane
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-3500
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,259 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
Bethesda Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7600 Arlington Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 204-5300
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 204-5300
Gr: K-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1414.
North Bethesda Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8935 Bradmoor Dr
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-2100
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 1,224 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1515.
Ashburton Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6314 Lone Oak Dr
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1300
Bethesda, MD 20817
(240) 740-1300
Gr: K-5 | 871 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1616.
Westland Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5511 Massachusetts Ave
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-5850
Bethesda, MD 20816
(240) 740-5850
Gr: 6-8 | 839 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Bethesda, MD?
The top-ranked public schools in Bethesda, MD include Walt Whitman High School, Bradley Hills Elementary School and Bannockburn Elementary School. Bethesda has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Maryland.
How many public schools are located in Bethesda?
16 public schools are located in Bethesda.
What percentage of students in Bethesda go to public school?
71% of all K-12 students in Bethesda are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bethesda?
Bethesda public schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Maryland public schools average of 69% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Bethesda are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Bethesda include: Wyngate Elementary School vs. Ashburton Elementary School, Burning Tree Elementary School vs. Bannockburn Elementary School, Ashburton Elementary School vs. Wyngate Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.