Welcome to Candlewood

Candlewood Elementary School is located in Derwood, Maryland, with easy access to Interstate 270, Rockville Pike, and the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg, Maryland.  The school was constructed in 1968 on 11.8 acres of land in a residential, suburban neighborhood.  Present enrollment stands at 345 students (August, 2005). 

The school received the prestigious U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools award for academic excellence in 1992 and has maintained its strong academic program over the past 12 years.  The school has performed very well on the Maryland State Assessments, first administered in the spring, 2003, meeting Adequate Yearly Progress in all categories designated by “No Child Left Behind.”

In addition to Candlewood’s excellent academic program, the school prides itself on its exceptional art, music, and physical education classes, providing students the opportunity to showcase their visual, choral, instrumental, athletic, and performing arts talents. We also offer weekly instruction to all students in the state of art computer lab. Free Computer classes are also offered after school and in the evening to the community at large

Our school serves students in kindergarten through grade 5, including one Learning and Academic Disabilities (LAD) class that serves home-school students as well as others from the Magruder High School Cluster.  Students from Candlewood attend Shady Grove Middle School in grades six through eight and Magruder High School in grades nine through twelve.

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) generally meets on the first Tuesday of each month and provides many supports to our school community and students.  The PTA is a highly active organization, and all members of the community are encouraged to join and participate.

If, for any reason, your questions are not answered within the context of our website, you are encouraged to contact us via phone (301-840-7167). 

Sincerely,

Dr. Linda B. Sheppard, Principal