The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in English language arts. The lowest is 56% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary
Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary is a regular public school in Germantown, Maryland, serving kindergarten through fifth grade as part of Montgomery County Public Schools. It sits within a large, unincorporated planned community that was designed around a dense downtown core and six surrounding residential villages. Germantown is frequently noted for its ethnic diversity and sits along the I-270 high-technology corridor, a region that has drawn corporate headquarters, the Germantown campus of Montgomery College, and a new hospital. The school itself is located in one of those villages, with the typical suburban, auto-dependent feel of the broader area outside the town center.
On the state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, Matsunaga students posted results that are strong in some areas and show a common grade-level pattern. In reading, the share of students meeting the proficiency bar on the MCAP was high in third grade, dipped noticeably in fourth grade, and then recovered to a solid level in fifth grade. Mathematics followed a similar trajectory: a strong showing in third grade, a softer result in fourth grade, and a rebound in fifth grade. Fifth graders also took the state science assessment and roughly half reached proficiency. The fourth-grade dip is a pattern seen in many elementary schools as test content and expectations shift, but a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the school supports students during that transition year.
The school enrolls a student body that reflects Germantown’s widely recognized diversity. The largest single group is students of Asian background, followed by Black students, white students, Hispanic students, and students identifying with two or more races; there is also a very small Native American representation. A little more than a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which is a lower rate than what is typical in many parts of the county. Data on the share of students with disabilities or those learning English was not available in the school’s profile, so a parent may wish to contact the school directly for that information.
Because Matsunaga is an elementary school, there are no measures such as a graduation rate or advanced coursework participation that apply to it. Likewise, no program-level data such as enrichment offerings, gifted programs, or after-school activities were provided. The school’s website would be the best place to find details on what is available.
The housing market in the Germantown area carries the high costs characteristic of Montgomery County. Home values and rents are well above national benchmarks, and the recent trend in home prices has been slightly down, which is not unusual for the broader region. For families looking to buy or rent, the trade-off is paying a premium for access to a school system that commands a large share of the county’s budget and has implemented district-wide changes like a new elementary literacy curriculum in recent years.
Montgomery County Public Schools is itself a very large district undergoing ongoing boundary studies that could affect which school a student attends, so families should stay aware of that process. The district’s operating budget has grown substantially and represents a major portion of county spending, which has implications for property tax levels.
Overall, Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary offers a solid academic foundation with reading and math proficiency that generally holds up well through the elementary grades, though the fourth-grade results warrant a closer look from prospective parents. Its student body is considerably diverse, and the school sits in a community that is both economically dynamic and ethnically varied. Families who can afford the area’s housing costs and who value a diverse, suburban setting with strong district resources are the most likely match. The absence of data on special populations and programs means that a family with a student who has specific learning needs should do additional research on what supports exist at the school itself.
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