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Excellent

#43 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 3% in state

Denton Elementary School

Elementary School · Caroline County Public Schools

303 Sharp Rd, Denton, MD 21629

Enrollment

640

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denton

#1 of 2

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#42 of 882

In district

#1 of 9

Caroline County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Denton Elementary School

Denton Elementary School serves 640 students across pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Denton, Maryland. A regular public school, it runs a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 — a figure that reflects a manageable classroom environment where teachers can track individual student progress closely. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10, rated Exceptional.

Academic performance comes in at 9.0, while the growth score climbs to 9.3, a signal that students are consistently making above-average academic gains year over year — not just holding a high baseline. That combination places Denton Elementary 43rd out of 1,363 public schools in Maryland, outperforming 97% of schools statewide. Narrowed to elementary schools specifically, it ranks 42nd among Maryland's 882 elementary campuses.

Within Denton, the school holds the top spot among the two public schools in town. For parents comparing options in the area, the data makes a clear case: Denton Elementary delivers both strong outcomes and sustained momentum, a pairing that separates genuinely exceptional schools from those that simply test well in a single snapshot.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2%
Math vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,641

Denton Elementary School — Students at Denton Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 44.6%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
53.7%
ELA
60.2%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Denton Elementary School Compares

See how Denton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in MD
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

303 Sharp Rd, Denton, MD 21629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Denton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hurlock Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Hurlock), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Federalsburg Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Federalsburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Preston Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Preston), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Denton, see our Denton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lockerman Middle School Denton 1.4 mi 5.4
North Caroline High School Ridgely 2.7 mi 3.6
Ridgely Elementary School Ridgely 6.4 mi 6.5
Colonel Richardson High School Federalsburg 8.0 mi 5.7
Colonel Richardson Middle School Federalsburg 8.0 mi 7.2
Greensboro Elementary School Greensboro 8.0 mi 7.1
SMITHSON'S CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preston 9.0 mi
THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL Ridgely 9.7 mi 7.5
Preston Elementary School Preston 11.7 mi 8.4
Chapel District Elementary Cordova 9.5 mi 7.4
Federalsburg Elementary School Federalsburg 12.7 mi 8.7
Woodbridge High School Greenwood 13.4 mi 5.7
Hurlock Elementary School Hurlock 16.6 mi 9.3
CHESAPEAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easton 13.8 mi 6.6
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Easton 14.0 mi 7.2
SAINTS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Easton 14.2 mi 5.8
Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center Greenwood 13.9 mi 7.0
Delaware Early Childhood Center Harrington 13.9 mi 6.4
Lake Forest South Elementary School Harrington 14.0 mi 7.5
Chipman (W.T.) Middle School Harrington 14.0 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,117

Median Home Value

$293,700

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

10,285

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

71.5%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Denton Elementary School has a median household income of $70,117. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,700, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Catherine T. Reed Elementary Lanham, MD 9.0
Central Elementary Edgewater, MD 9.0
Lincoln Elementary Frederick, MD 9.0
Moravia Park Elementary Baltimore, MD 9.0
Worthington Elementary Ellicott City, MD 9.0
Beach Elementary Chesapeake Beach, MD 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Denton Elementary School

What grades does Denton Elementary School serve?

Denton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Denton Elementary School?

Denton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 640 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Denton Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Denton Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Denton Elementary School rank in MD?

Denton Elementary School is ranked #43 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Denton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Denton Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Denton Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Denton Elementary School has 33.9% math proficiency and 44.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Denton Elementary School a charter school?

No, Denton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Denton Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Denton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Denton Elementary School?

55.6% of students at Denton Elementary School 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,383/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
640
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Caroline County
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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