Poolesville High School

17501 W Willard Rd
Poolesville, MD 20837
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
10/
10
Top 5%
Poolesville High School is a public magnet high school located in Poolesville, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Montgomery County Public Schools system. It is the only all-magnet high school in Montgomery County.
Serving 1,351 students in grades 9-12, Poolesville High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 1%, and reading proficiency is top 1%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 85% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Asian), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 69% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,351 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 64%
  • : ≥99% (Top 1% in MD)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 80% (Top 1%)
  • : 85% (Top 5%)
  • : 73% (Top 5%)
  • : Poolesville High serves the west part of its school district in Poolesville, MD, covering approximately 107.5 square miles. Families in this area typically have a drive of 10-15 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 5.5 miles from the school to the edge of the attendance zone, extending up to 10.1 miles at its furthest point.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Poolesville High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency

School Overview

Poolesville High School's student population of 1,351 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 67 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,351 students

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers
67 teachers

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Year Founded
1911
School Motto
Every student will have the academic, creative problem solving and social-emotional skills to be successful in college and career.

School Rankings

Poolesville High School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,338 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Poolesville High School is 0.71, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (MD)
#14 out of 1338 schools
(Top 5%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

80%
27%

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

85%
45%

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

73%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
14:1

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Asian
38%
7%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic
10%
24%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

Black
8%
32%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

White
36%
31%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

Two or more races
8%
6%

Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups
64%
0.71

Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

≥99%
85.8%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(22-23)
19.5%
32.4%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
9%
46%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓

School Statewide Testing
School District Name

Sports

Colors
Navy Blue and Gold
School Mascot
Falcons
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Poolesville High School's ranking?
Poolesville High School is ranked #14 out of 1,338 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Poolesville High School often compared to?
Poolesville High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Thomas S. Wootton High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% MD state average), while 85% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Poolesville High School?
The graduation rate of Poolesville High School is 99%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 85.8%.
How many students attend Poolesville High School?
1,351 students attend Poolesville High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
38% of Poolesville High School students are Asian, 36% of students are White, 10% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, and 8% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Poolesville High School?
Poolesville High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Poolesville High School offer ?
Poolesville High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Poolesville High School part of?
Poolesville High School is part of Montgomery County School District.

School Reviews

5   10/10/2025
Small town atmosphere. Dedicated teachers who actually fight to get assigned to PHS. Very little trouble in the school. Very few disruptive minorities. I highly recommend this school.
- Posted by Parent - Jay21
4   10/10/2025
This is an amazing school. It is diverse and academically focused, but not a pressure cooker school. Students and staff are supportive of one another. Very few issues in this school. The only minor drawback in my opinion is that the school building is very old. Great teachers, rigorous programs, a good cohort of students, mix of race, SES and gender. Small-town feel, very welcoming local population. Even though the drive to the school is long (40 minutes), it is a lovely drive across bucolic settings.
- Posted by Parent - PHS mom

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,351 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 64%
  • : ≥99% (Top 1%)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 80% (Top 1%)
  • : 85% (Top 5%)
  • : 73% (Top 5%)
  • : Poolesville High serves the west part of its school district in Poolesville, MD, covering approximately 107.5 square miles. Families in this area typically have a drive of 10-15 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 5.5 miles from the school to the edge of the attendance zone, extending up to 10.1 miles at its furthest point.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education

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