Best Schools in La Plata, Maryland
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in La Plata?
Use this page to compare every school in La Plata by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Elementary · Charles County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grace Lutheran School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Archbishop Neale School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in La Plata for 2026 are Mary H. Matula Elementary School (6.8/10), Grace Lutheran School (6.8/10), and Archbishop Neale School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$435,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$435,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in La Plata
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary H. Matula Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Grace Lutheran School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Archbishop Neale School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | La Plata High School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Milton M. Somers Middle School | 5.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $130,008
- Median home value
- $435,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33%
- Avg commute
- 39 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How La Plata compares
Maryland rank
#70 of 141
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Maryland avg (6.3)
Median household income
$130k
117% of Maryland median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in La Plata, Maryland
La Plata, Maryland is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in La Plata show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in La Plata is Mary H. Matula Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
La Plata is served by 1 school district: Charles County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 27,765 students.
La Plata's community shows 33% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $130,008. The poverty rate in the area is 4.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 578 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 605 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Grace Lutheran School
Private
177 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Archbishop Neale School
Private
235 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 659 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,217 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
Schools in La Plata
La Plata, Maryland · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$130,008
Median Home Value
$435,100
Median Rent
$1,486/mo
Population
21,601
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
39 min
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Community Profile
La Plata has a median household income of $130,008. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $435,100, with a median rent of $1,486/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Maryland
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Maryland
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in La Plata, Maryland
How many schools are in La Plata, Maryland?
La Plata has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in La Plata, Maryland?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in La Plata is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in La Plata, Maryland?
The top-ranked school in La Plata on MySchoolScout is Mary H. Matula Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in La Plata, Maryland?
The top-ranked elementary school in La Plata on MySchoolScout is Mary H. Matula Elementary School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in La Plata, Maryland?
The top-ranked middle school in La Plata on MySchoolScout is Milton M. Somers Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in La Plata, Maryland?
The top-ranked high school in La Plata on MySchoolScout is La Plata High School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve La Plata, Maryland?
La Plata is served by 1 school district: Charles County Public Schools.
What is the education level in La Plata, Maryland?
According to Census data, 33% of adults in La Plata have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in La Plata, Maryland?
The median household income in La Plata is approximately $130,008 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in La Plata, Maryland?
Yes, La Plata has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Grace Lutheran School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Plata, Maryland?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in La Plata is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in La Plata, Maryland?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Maryland Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.