Excellent
#225 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 16% 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
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Leonardtown
#1 of 4
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#219 of 882
In district
#7 of 26
St. Mary's County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Leonardtown, Maryland, a town situated on the fringe of an urban area. With 537 students and 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, allowing for reasonably personalized attention in the classroom. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 90th percentile statewide, placing it at #144 among Maryland's 1,364 schools.
Its academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects strong overall performance. In English Language Arts and Reading, 52 percent of students score at proficient or above levels, while 47 percent of students demonstrate proficiency or above in mathematics. These results show solid achievement, with particular strength in literacy skills.
As a regular public school, Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is part of St. Mary's County's public education system. The school's location in a fringe urban setting positions it within a community that blends suburban and town characteristics.
Score Breakdown
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Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary — Students at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.4/10.
How Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary Compares
See how Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 64.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 68.2% (2025).
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. Hollywood Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Hollywood), with a very similar rating. Another option is Benjamin Banneker Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Loveville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Oakville Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Leonardtown, see our Leonardtown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has a median household income of $139,688. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,000, with a median rent of $1,726/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barnaby Manor Elementary Oxon Hill, MD | 8.1 |
| Catonsville Elementary Catonsville, MD | 8.1 |
| Deep Run Elementary Elkridge, MD | 8.1 |
| Eldersburg Elementary Sykesville, MD | 8.1 |
| Emmorton Elementary Bel Air, MD | 8.1 |
| Four Seasons Elementary Gambrills, MD | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #225 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary has 48.7% math proficiency and 52.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (240) 309-4658
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
St. Mary's County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 17,223
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,088
- District Rank
- #7 of 26
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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