The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in Math. The lowest is 6% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Rolling Terrace Elementary
Rolling Terrace Elementary serves students from pre-K through fifth grade as a regular public school in Takoma Park, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. The school sits on Bayfield Street, a residential street in a dense suburb of Washington, D.C. that was among the first planned Victorian commuter suburbs. Takoma Park is known for its liberal politics, rent stabilization law, and deep civic traditions. The city's built environment mixes Victorian-era homes, mid-century apartments, and small commercial districts such as Takoma Junction with its large food co-op and the Flower shopping district. Sligo Creek Park and its nine-mile trail bisect the city, and an extensive hardwood tree canopy is protected by local ordinance. Growth is constrained by the small area of the city, strong tree-canopy protections, and a rent stabilization law passed years ago that has limited new multi-family construction while keeping some of the lowest rents in the D.C. region.
The school enrolls a sizable student body for an elementary school in this grade band. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with a smaller share of Black students, a modest white demographic, and very small Asian and two-or-more-race groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a lower-income population relative to the county overall. Data on special populations such as students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the reporting, so those dimensions of support are not captured here.
On state assessments taken in the most recent school year, Rolling Terrace Elementary's proficiency rates are well below typical levels for the county and state. In mathematics, proficiency across grades three, four, and five was low, with slightly higher performance in third grade than in fourth or fifth. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: a modest proficiency rate in fourth grade, lower in third and fifth. In science, tested only in fifth grade, proficiency was very low. These results come from Maryland's MCAP (math, ELA) and MISA (science) assessments, where proficiency is defined as reaching Levels 3 or 4. Because the data available cover only a single school year, there is no prior-year trend to show whether these numbers are an improvement or decline. A parent considering this school may want to look into what academic interventions and supports are in place and how the school's performance compares with other elementary schools serving similar demographics within Montgomery County.
The comparison set that would typically place Rolling Terrace relative to districts in Montgomery County could not be computed because the cohort was too small for a meaningful comparison. The county itself is large and includes many elementary schools with a wide range of proficiency outcomes, so context from direct neighbors is missing from this data set.
The housing market in the Takoma Park area reflects high costs: home values are well above national and state benchmarks, and rents are also elevated. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical home far exceeds the median rent, making homeownership challenging even by regional standards. This context shapes the community: families who can afford to live here often do so for the walkable streets, progressive politics, and proximity to D.C. employment, but the school's academic profile may not match the expectations that come with the area's housing premium.
Rolling Terrace operates within Montgomery County Public Schools, a large district that adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum in recent years, shifting to Benchmark Advance and HMH Into Reading. The district continues to conduct systemwide boundary analyses as part of long-term facilities planning, and its operating budget has grown to represent a substantial share of the county's entire budget. These district-level changes may affect resources and programs at Rolling Terrace over time.
Takoma Park itself has remained demographically stable, with a population that changed little between recent census counts. The city's municipal government operates independently for many services, and the community's civic anchors include the Takoma Park Maryland Library, the food co-op, and the stream valley parks. Washington Adventist University sits at Carroll and Flower Avenues, integrated into the street grid.
For a family considering Rolling Terrace Elementary, the picture is one of a school in a politically engaged, dense, walkable suburb with a strong sense of place. The student body is diverse and largely low-income. Academic proficiency on state tests is low across all subjects and grades tested, and trend data are not yet available. The district is in the midst of curriculum and boundary changes that could affect instruction and attendance zones. A parent may want to visit the school, speak with current families, and understand what academic support programs are offered to gauge whether the school fits their child's needs.
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