Located at 5011 Allan Terrace in the southwest corner of Montgomery County (Bethesda), Westbrook Elementary School is just a few blocks from the District of Columbia line. Traditionally one of the smallest schools in the county, the school has recently experienced a rise in enrollment and was recently the highest ranked public elementary school in the state of Maryland by Niche.
According to the school’s website, (and information complied by Robert and Barbara McCartney in 1999) Westbrook Elementary School was founded in September 1939, during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency and amid the onset of World War II. The school was established in response to overcrowding at Somerset School, where children from the Westmoreland Hills neighborhood were attending. Initially, students and teachers studied at Somerset and Chevy Chase Elementary while the Westbrook building was under construction, which was completed in February 1940 by the Works Progress Administration. The school opened with 148 students in a red brick, Georgian-style building that resembled a private residence.
As the local population grew, Westbrook faced overcrowding, leading to the construction of a second building, the “white building,” in 1948, which included a kitchen and cafeteria. A third building, the “red building,” was added in 1955, connecting the school’s facilities. Enrollment remained high until 1970, when it began to decline, raising concerns about the school’s future. In 1974, the Board of Education considered closing schools with fewer than 300 students, and Westbrook was listed as a candidate for closure in 1976. However, local parents formed a committee to advocate for the school, successfully convincing the Board in 1978 to keep it open until enrollment began to increase again.
In the years following its founding, Westbrook Elementary School implemented various programs to attract more students. Collaborating with the County Recreation Department, the school introduced a Creative Enrichment program for kindergarten children, which was later expanded by the Westmoreland Children’s Center. Special education classes were added in 1982, and an extended-day magnet program was established in 1987 to promote diversity and attract more families.
Throughout the 1980s, teachers and PTA leaders advocated for modernization due to outdated facilities, leading to renovations during the 1989-1990 school year. As Westbrook neared its 60th anniversary, it became a “Global Access” institution with internet-connected computers.
Hazel McNamara, the school’s first principal, served for 29 years and was a pivotal figure in its history. Over the years, students have enjoyed various extracurricular activities, such as the Halloween parade, Field Day, and the May Day Festival. They have also engaged in community service projects, including food drives and partnerships with local seniors.
Westbrook is known for its outstanding academic performance, ranking in the top 2 percent of Maryland public schools, and for its cherished traditions, including the annual Book Fair and Carnival, which has been a neighborhood highlight since 1944.
Currently, Westbrook has an enrollment of over 350 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade, including several in specialized primary and intermediate special education classes. Notably, Westbrook is one of the few schools that offers an Emotional Disabilities (ED) program, which provides a range of placements and services tailored to the unique needs of students with emotional disabilities. This program includes self-contained classes at both the elementary and secondary levels. It is part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School cluster.