Rosemont Elementary School is nestled two blocks off busy Route 355. A new wing, which includes a gym and increased the school's floor space 30 percent, was added in 2005, just prior to current principal Jimmy Sweeny's arrival. The school offers a special Pre-K autism program with a 1:1 student to teacher ratio. Rosemont is also a Title I school, so it receives federal funding because some of the students come from low-income families.
Goshen Elementary is one of six elementary schools belonging to the Gaithersburg High School cluster. More than 80 percent of its professional staff have been teaching for more than five years, including more than one-third of staffers who have been teaching for more than 15 years.
Travilah Elementary is one of North Potomac's three public elementary schools, in addition to Dufief Elementary and Stone Wall Elementary. Built in 1960, Travilah sits at the center of the historic Travilah community. The school was modernized in 1992, and in 2008 an additional six classrooms and a courtyard were built and an interactive white board was installed in each classroom.
The school has three classrooms per grade, an art room, a music instrumental room, a library and a computer lab. In addition to classroom teachers, the school employs a full-time reading initiative teacher, as well as art, music, special education, counselor, ESL and staff development teachers.
Teachers take students out to an on-site pond and garden for lessons on ecosystems and the environment. In 2010, through a partnership with Whole Foods, each grade got to plant sunflowers and pumpkins. Principal Susan Shenk has been at the school for seven years and is a resident of North Potomac. Travilah Elementary feeds into Frost Middle School in Rockville.
Kidsco is a before- and after-school program offered in elementary schools in Montgomery County. From 6:30am before school and to 6:30pm after school, the program provides a mix of free time, gym and outside play and study time. The program allows students to create and name their own "clubs" that participate in a different set of activities every day.
Located just a block from the heart of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg Elementary School embraces the cultural diversity of its students. The building, which used to be called Gaithersburg School, at one point housed all grades, from first through 12th. The school features an in-house health clinic and participates in the county-wide Linkages to Learning Program for at-risk youth.
Gaithersburg Middle School is situated near the heart of Olde Towne and features an indoor swimming pool, which is open to the public during the evening. A part of Montgomery County Public Schools, the school year runs from August 30 to June 16. Its principal is Carol Goddard.
St. Martin's Catholic school offers a private education for enrolled students. Small class sizes and close student - teacher relationships help to create a learning environment where students can excel. This school is affiliated with St. Martin's Catholic church, which also runs the Gaithersburg Soup Kitchen.
Forest Oak Middle School, located a few blocks from the Midcounty Highway, serves a diverse and changing student body. Principal John Burley helms the school, which is named after a historic Gaithersburg tree that fell several years ago. The school has several interesting features, including a weight room, a television studio and a climbing wall. Its mascot is the cougar.
Shady Grove Middle School is located off busy Midcounty Highway, but has seen its student population dropping in the past few years. First-year principal Edward Owusu is enthusiastic about maintaining the high level of parent and student participation.
Rachel Carson Elementary School sits at the southwestern edge of the Kentlands and Lakelands communities, and is home to the third largest elementary school student body in the county. Principal Lawrence Chep helms the school, which is home to nearly 900 students. A home-school modeled, fully integrated special education program and several clubs are also available.