The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Westover Elementary
Westover Elementary is a regular public school in Silver Spring, Maryland, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade as part of Montgomery County Public Schools. The school is located in a part of Silver Spring that sits inside the Capital Beltway, placing it within a diverse, densely populated suburban area that borders Washington, D.C. Silver Spring itself is a large, unincorporated edge city with a notably international population, and the neighborhoods around Westover reflect that mix of cultures and backgrounds.
The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. The largest groups are Black students, followed by Hispanic students, White students, Asian students, and students who identify as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
On the most recent state assessments, Westover's performance varied by grade and subject. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above was solid, with a majority in each tested grade meeting that bar. In math, the results were more mixed. One grade level posted a strong proficiency rate, while another was softer, and a third fell in between. On the fifth-grade science assessment, the proficiency rate was lower, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the science curriculum and support. Because these results come from a single year, no trend is yet available.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available for this profile, and information on chronic absenteeism and discipline was also not provided. The school's charter and magnet status are not listed, and it was not identified as a Title I school in the data provided.
Housing in the area is expensive. The typical home value in the zip code is well above the national median, and the typical monthly rent is also elevated. For a family considering a move to this attendance zone, the housing costs are a substantial factor. The broader Montgomery County Public Schools district, which enrolls a large number of students across many elementary schools, adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum beginning in the 2023-24 school year, replacing the previous materials. This change affects how reading is taught at Westover and all district elementary schools. The district's operating budget has grown in recent years, and it accounts for a large share of the county's overall spending, which has property tax implications for residents. The district is also conducting systemwide boundary studies as part of its long-term facilities planning, which could lead to changes in attendance zones over time.
The immediate area around the school is part of the greater Silver Spring community, which has seen significant downtown redevelopment and growth. The Paul Sarbanes Transit Center provides access to Metro, MARC train, and bus service, and the Purple Line light rail is under construction and expected to open in the near future. Parks and creek-valley trails are located throughout the area.
For a family considering Westover Elementary, the school offers a regular elementary program within a large, diverse suburban district. The academic picture from the most recent assessments shows a school where English language arts proficiency is a relative strength, math proficiency is more uneven, and science proficiency deserves a closer look. The housing market is a steep one, but the broader community provides significant transit, civic, and recreational infrastructure typical of an inner-ring Washington suburb.
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