Walter Johnson High School is a public upper secondary school located in the census-designated place of North Bethesda, Maryland. The school was founded in 1956 and named after Walter Johnson, a famous baseball player who was also a native of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Serving 3,016 students in grades 9-12, Walter Johnson High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 69% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 80% (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 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 69% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 3,016 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 69% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 80% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 76% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Walter Johnson High serves the southeast part of Bethesda, MD, encompassing an area of approximately 13.3 square miles. Most students live within a 5-10 minute drive, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 3.3 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Walter Johnson 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
Walter Johnson High School's student population of 3,016 students has grown by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 167 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
3,016 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
167 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1956
School Calendar
School Motto
“Striving for Excellence”
School Rankings
Walter Johnson 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 Walter Johnson High School is 0.72, 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
#42 out of 1338 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
27%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
80%
45%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
76%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
13%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
19%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Black
16%
32%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
45%
31%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
7%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
94%
85.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)22%
32.4%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
16%
46%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
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
Wildcat
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Walter Johnson High School's ranking?
Walter Johnson High School is ranked #42 out of 1,338 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Walter Johnson High School often compared to?
Walter Johnson High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Winston Churchill High School, Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda-chevy Chase High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% MD state average), while 80% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Walter Johnson High School?
The graduation rate of Walter Johnson High School is 94%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 85.8%.
How many students attend Walter Johnson High School?
3,016 students attend Walter Johnson High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of Walter Johnson High School students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Black, 13% of students are Asian, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Walter Johnson High School?
Walter Johnson High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Walter Johnson High School offer ?
Walter Johnson High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Walter Johnson High School part of?
Walter Johnson High School is part of Montgomery County School District.
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