The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Robert Frost Middle School
Robert Frost Middle School is a regular public school in Rockville, Maryland, serving grades six through eight as part of Montgomery County Public Schools. The school is sizable for a middle school, with a student body that is markedly diverse. A large share of the student population is Asian, followed by white students, with smaller shares identifying as Black, Hispanic, and two or more races. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals is low, which is consistent with the area’s overall affluence.
Academically, the school’s performance on state assessments presents a clear split between subject areas. On the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), Robert Frost’s English language arts results are strong across all three tested grades. In sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, the proportion of students scoring proficient or above reaches into the upper ranges, with a combined ELA proficiency rate above eight in ten. Social studies, tested only in eighth grade, also shows a high proficiency rate. Eighth-grade science, measured by the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment, has a solid majority of students meeting the bar. These results position the school well in literacy and related subjects.
Math tells a more nuanced story. On general grade-level math assessments, sixth graders posted a moderately strong proficiency rate, but seventh-grade performance was lower, and eighth-grade proficiency was very low. The eighth-grade number stands out as a significant soft spot, and a parent investigating the school may want to ask the school directly about math instruction and support for students at that level. It is worth noting that many eighth graders at Frost take high-school-level math courses, and the data shows separate, higher proficiency rates for Algebra I and Geometry, which are reported as school-level metrics. That means the very low eighth-grade math proficiency likely reflects the small group of students still taking grade-level math in eighth grade, while the stronger performers have moved into advanced coursework. Still, the overall picture is uneven enough to merit a look at how math is sequenced and supported.
The school’s enrollment is stable across grades six, seven, and eight. There is no reported data on special education or English learner populations, so a parent seeking that information would need to contact the school directly.
Rockville, where the school is located, is the county seat of Montgomery County and a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors. It sits within the Interstate 270 Technology Corridor, with many tech and biotechnology employers. Downtown Rockville has seen significant redevelopment, with a Town Center, Metro and MARC rail access, and a Montgomery College campus. The broader city is car-dependent, particularly along the busy Rockville Pike commercial strip. Housing costs in the area are high relative to national and state benchmarks, and the local housing market is typical of an affluent Washington, D.C., suburb.
Montgomery County Public Schools, the district, has recently adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum and continues to study school boundaries as part of long-term facilities planning. The district’s operating budget takes up a large share of the county’s budget, reflecting sustained investment. Because Robert Frost is a middle school, it does not have a graduation rate, and the data does not cover attendance or chronic absenteeism. No meaningful comparison against other Montgomery County districts was available because the comparison set contained only one entity.
For a family weighing this school, the standout is strong literacy outcomes across the board. The math performance is more complex and may require a conversation with the school to understand how students are placed and supported. The student body is diverse economically and racially, and the surrounding community offers extensive employment, transit, and civic amenities, all in an expensive housing market typical of the region.
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