The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Little Bennett Elementary
Little Bennett Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Clarksburg, a rapidly growing suburban community in northern Montgomery County. The school sits within Montgomery County Public Schools, the large district that covers much of the Washington, D.C. suburbs. The enrollment is at a size typical for an elementary school serving this grade band.
The student body is diverse. Asian students make up the largest share, followed by Black students, then white students, then Hispanic students, with smaller numbers of students who identify as two or more races or as American Indian or Alaska Native. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a rate below the national average and reflecting the area's relative affluence. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available in the source material.
State testing results from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program and the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment provide a picture of academic performance. In English language arts, a majority of students scored at the proficient level or above in third, fourth, and fifth grade. In math, roughly half of students in third and fifth grade scored proficient or above, while fourth grade came in somewhat lower. Science results for fifth graders were weaker, with about a third of students reaching proficiency. These are single-year results, so no trend can be drawn. A parent may want to discuss the science scores with the school, as they lag noticeably behind the English and math figures.
As an elementary school, Little Bennett does not have a graduation rate to report, and there is no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline in the provided materials.
The school is located in a residential area of Clarksburg, a community that has experienced explosive population growth over the past two decades. The built environment is dominated by single-family houses and townhouses, with retail concentrated in shopping centers and the Clarksburg Premium Outlets mall. The area is car-dependent, with major roads including Interstate 270 and Maryland routes providing access. The planned Town Center District, intended to create a walkable downtown core, had not yet materialized as of publicly reported information, so daily life revolves around subdivisions and strip-center retail rather than a traditional main street. Parks such as Little Bennett Park, Black Hill Regional Park, and Ridge Road Recreational Park provide outdoor recreation including hiking trails and playgrounds.
The housing market in the zip code is expensive, with home values well above state and national benchmarks. Rents are also elevated, and the combination of high prices and mortgage rates means that buying a home in this area requires substantial income. The area's growth has brought infrastructure challenges, including a past development moratorium linked to code enforcement problems and ongoing legal disputes over development limits to protect drinking water sources. For families considering moving here, the housing costs and the area's rapid suburbanization are central factors.
At the district level, MCPS has implemented a new elementary literacy curriculum beginning in the 2023-24 school year, replacing the previous reading program. This means all students at Little Bennett are learning under the new curriculum. The district's operating budget now accounts for a large portion of Montgomery County's total spending, a reflection of the community's sustained investment in its schools. MCPS is also conducting a systemwide boundary analysis as part of long-term facilities planning, which could eventually lead to changes in attendance boundaries.
For a family considering Little Bennett, the school offers a diverse student body in a fast-growing suburban setting with strong English language arts results and mixed math results. The relatively low poverty rate and high local housing costs create a particular economic context. The elementary years here lead into the broader MCPS system, with its large high schools and extensive program offerings, though those are not factors at this grade level. A family should weigh the school's current academic profile, particularly the science score, against the high cost of local housing and the fast-changing character of the community.
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