Why does Piney Branch start in 3rd grade?
Because schools cannot be built overnight, and because the Takoma Park area has a large number of students, the school system had to divide enrollment of students. Takoma Park Elementary School has classes for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. The students from this school go to Piney Branch Elementary School in 3rd grade, and stay there until 5th grade. Then all Piney Branch students go to Takoma Park Middle School, which is the school with the sports fields on Piney Branch Road.