Walt Whitman High School is a public high school located in Bethesda, Maryland, United States. It is named after the 19th-century American poet Walt Whitman. The school serves grades 9-12 for the Montgomery County Public Schools system.
Serving 2,056 students in grades 9-12, Walt Whitman High School ranks in the top 1% 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 85% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 90% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 69% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,056 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 43%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 1%
- Math Proficiency: 85% (Top 1%)
- Reading Proficiency: 90% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 86% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Walt Whitman High serves the southern part of its school district in Bethesda, MD, covering an area of approximately 16.7 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive of 5-10 minutes to the school, with an average distance of about 3 miles to the edge of the attendance zone, which extends up to 5.6 miles at its farthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Walt Whitman High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Walt Whitman High School's student population of 2,056 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 115 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,056 students
Total Classroom Teachers
115 teachers
Year Founded
1962
School Rankings
Walt Whitman High School ranks within the top 1% of all 1,338 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Walt Whitman High School is 0.63, 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.
Overall Testing Rank
#1 out of 1338 schools
(Top 1%)
(Top 1%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
85%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
86%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
16%
7%
Hispanic
12%
24%
Black
6%
32%
White
57%
31%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
86%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)15.1%
32.4%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
5%
46%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black, White, Columbia blue
School Mascot
Viking
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Walt Whitman High School's ranking?
Walt Whitman High School is ranked #1 out of 1,338 schools, which ranks it among the top 1% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Walt Whitman High School often compared to?
Walt Whitman High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda-chevy Chase High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
85% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% MD state average), while 90% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Walt Whitman High School?
The graduation rate of Walt Whitman High School is 94%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 86%.
How many students attend Walt Whitman High School?
2,056 students attend Walt Whitman High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
57% of Walt Whitman High School students are White, 16% of students are Asian, 12% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Walt Whitman High School?
Walt Whitman High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Walt Whitman High School offer ?
Walt Whitman High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Walt Whitman High School part of?
Walt Whitman High School is part of Montgomery County School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
I graduated from Whitman in 2011. I was a punk kid who hated school in general, but even then I can say the best thing about the school is the neighborhood it sits in. Anyone thinking of sending their kids here can rest assured that they will be able to get to and from school on foot with no issues.
Review Walt Whitman High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.
