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Excellent

#152 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 11% in state

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

Elementary School · St. Mary's County Public Schools

23595 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Enrollment

537

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#152 of 1,363

In Leonardtown

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 26

St. Mary's County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

8.7/10

Elementary School in Leonardtown · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Leonard Hall JR Naval Academy

5.9/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Little Seedlings Christian Preschool & Kdgn

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is a public elementary school in Leonardtown, MD, part of St. Mary's County Public Schools. Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary serves approximately 537 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio.

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #152 of 1,363 schools in MD. Structured state assessment records for Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • MD avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change+1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2015–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.9% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.3% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.2 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,088
Chronic Absenteeism19.2%

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary — Students at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 46.7% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 16 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2015
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
58.9%
ELA
68.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary Compares

See how Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
89th percentile in MD
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

23595 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Evergreen Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby California), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hollywood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Hollywood), a more accessible option. For more schools in Leonardtown, see our Leonardtown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LEONARD HALL JR NAVAL ACADEMY Leonardtown 0.8 mi 5.9
LITTLE SEEDLINGS CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KDGN Leonardtown 1.0 mi
Leonardtown Elementary Leonardtown 1.2 mi 7.0
FATHER ANDREW WHITE SJ SCHOOL Leonardtown 1.3 mi 4.3
ST MARY S RYKEN HIGH SCHOOL Leonardtown 2.1 mi 5.5
Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville 2.4 mi 6.3
LOVEVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Leonardtown 3.0 mi 2.2
Leonardtown Middle Leonardtown 3.1 mi 7.3
Leonardtown High Leonardtown 3.4 mi 6.8
MECHANICSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville 3.6 mi 3.9
FRIENDSHIP MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville 4.3 mi
PIN CUSHION MENNONITE SCHOOL Leonardtown 3.9 mi
Evergreen Elementary School California 4.1 mi 7.3
BUSY CORNER SCHOOL Leonardtown 4.9 mi
HOLLYWOOD UMC CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Hollywood 4.5 mi 2.3
Oakville Elementary Mechanicsville 5.6 mi 8.1
ST JOHN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hollywood 4.5 mi 5.2
Chopticon High Morganza 4.9 mi 6.1
STARMARKER SCHOOL EARLY EDUCATION WILDWOOD California 5.1 mi
Hollywood Elementary Hollywood 5.4 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$139,688

Median Home Value

$464,000

Median Rent

$1,726/mo

Population

15,979

College Educated

41.6%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chapel Hill Elementary Perry Hall, MD 8.7
Chevy Chase Elementary Chevy Chase, MD 8.7
Ducketts Lane Elementary Elkridge, MD 8.7
Forest Knolls Elementary Silver Spring, MD 8.7
Greenwood Elementary School Princess Anne, MD 8.7
Hampstead Elementary Hampstead, MD 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

What grades does Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary serve?

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary?

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary rank in MD?

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary ranks #152 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

Is Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary a charter school?

No, Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary a Title I school?

No, Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary?

17.7% of students at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
St. Mary's County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

District

St. Mary's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
17,223
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,088
District Rank
#2 of 26

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