The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in English language arts. The lowest is 57% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Westbrook Elementary
Westbrook Elementary is a regular public school in Bethesda, Maryland, serving kindergarten through fifth grade as part of Montgomery County Public Schools. It is a neighborhood school with a substantial enrollment for its grade band, drawing from the residential areas on the western edge of Bethesda near the Maryland-D.C. line. The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic and Asian students, and a small percentage of Black students. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which aligns with the highly affluent character of the larger Bethesda community.
Bethesda itself is a major business, government, and medical research center, anchored by the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and a dense downtown core of mid- and high-rise towers around the Metro station. The Capital Crescent Trail and the Bethesda Circulator provide walkability and street life, and the Purple Line light rail is under construction to expand transit connections. The area is one of the most expensive housing markets in the region; home values and rents are well above the national benchmark, and the affordability gap is substantial. Many residents commute to Washington, D.C., for work. Publicly reported information describes a community that is highly educated, with a large portion of adults holding graduate or professional degrees.
Academically, Westbrook posts strong results across its tested grades in both English language arts and math. Student performance on the state assessments is solidly above average in each grade from third through fifth. The strongest area is fourth-grade reading, where a large majority of students meet the proficiency bar. Math scores are similarly strong across all three grade levels. Science proficiency, assessed only in fifth grade, is lower than the English and math results. A parent may want to discuss science instruction with the school to understand the curriculum and how the school approaches that subject.
The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, special education enrollment, and English learner enrollment was not available in the source materials. Likewise, information on the school’s specific program offerings, such as art, music, world language, or enrichment, was not present. Because this is a small neighborhood elementary school within a large district, families looking for robust program details should consult the school’s website or contact the office directly.
Montgomery County Public Schools, the parent district, has adopted new elementary literacy curricula that began in the 2023-24 school year, which will affect how students at Westbrook learn to read. The district’s operating budget has grown to a large portion of the county’s entire budget, a fiscal reality that shapes resources available to schools like Westbrook. The district is also conducting a systemwide boundary analysis as part of long-term facilities planning, a process that could ultimately affect attendance boundaries for elementary schools. Families should stay informed about any proposed changes that could affect their assigned school.
The peer environment at Westbrook reflects the broader affluence and educational attainment of the community. The school’s academic results are a clear strength, with a consistent pattern of high proficiency in English and math. Families who are able to navigate the expensive Bethesda housing market and who prioritize a neighborhood school with strong academic performance in the primary grades would find Westbrook a good fit. Those with particular interest in science instruction or in specific enrichment offerings should research those areas directly, as the available data does not cover them.
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