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Average

#1082 of 1,363 schools in MD

La Plata High School

High School · Charles County Public Schools

6035 Radio Station Rd, La Plata, MD 20646

Enrollment

1,217

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Plata

#4 of 4

public schools

Maryland high schools

#125 of 226

In district

#17 of 37

Charles County Public Schools

About La Plata High School

La Plata High School serves 1,217 students in grades 9-12 in Charles County, Maryland, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 75 full-time teachers. The school earns a solid 6.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #409 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 70th percentile statewide with a strong academic score of 8.0 out of 10. Academically, La Plata High School shows respectable performance with 54% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 47% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels.

These results reflect the school's commitment to supporting student achievement in core subject areas. The school draws from an economically stable community where families have a median household income of $130,168 and median home values reach $431,900. About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at just 4.1%, creating a supportive environment for education.

Located at 6035 Radio Station Road, La Plata High School sits in a rural setting near the town of La Plata, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources and opportunities that support their academic and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, La Plata High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.8%
Math vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,671

La Plata High School — Students at La Plata High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 67.2%
School
State
51.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
18.5%
ELA
67.8%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How La Plata High School Compares

See how La Plata High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in MD
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers

Location

6035 Radio Station Rd, La Plata, MD 20646

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Plata High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Westlake High School (rated 4.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Waldorf), with a comparable rating. Additionally, St. Charles High School (rated 4.2/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Waldorf), with a comparable rating. For more schools in La Plata, see our La Plata schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center La Plata 0.2 mi
Mary H. Matula Elementary School La Plata 0.3 mi 8.3
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Plata 1.2 mi 6.8
Milton M. Somers Middle School La Plata 2.0 mi 7.1
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School La Plata 2.1 mi 6.8
SMCA White Plains 2.5 mi 8.0
ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL La Plata 2.3 mi 6.6
St. Charles High School Waldorf 2.7 mi 4.2
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf 3.7 mi 7.6
Mary B. Neal Elementary School Waldorf 3.7 mi 6.4
Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf 4.2 mi 7.0
Billingsley Elementary School White Plains 4.3 mi 7.2
Eva Turner Elementary School Waldorf 4.2 mi 4.5
William B. Wade Elementary School Waldorf 4.9 mi 4.8
GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf 5.0 mi
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf 4.8 mi 3.8
Benjamin Stoddert Middle School Waldorf 4.7 mi 2.9
Westlake High School Waldorf 5.3 mi 4.4
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School Waldorf 5.4 mi 7.8
Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret 4.6 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,008

Median Home Value

$435,100

Median Rent

$1,486/mo

Population

21,601

College Educated

33.4%

Homeownership

85.1%

Avg Commute

38.7 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Plata High School 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore, MD 5.1
Damascus High Damascus, MD 5.1
Edmondson-Westside High Baltimore, MD 5.1
Henry E. Lackey High School Indian Head, MD 5.1
MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 5.1
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret, MD 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Plata High School

What grades does La Plata High School serve?

La Plata High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend La Plata High School?

La Plata High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,217 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Plata High School?

The student-teacher ratio at La Plata High School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does La Plata High School rank in MD?

La Plata High School is ranked #1082 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is La Plata High School's MySchoolScout rating?

La Plata High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 La Plata High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Plata High School has 41.4% math proficiency and 67.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Plata High School a charter school?

No, La Plata High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Plata High School a Title I school?

No, La Plata High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Plata High School?

28.7% of students at La Plata High 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,970/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,217
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Charles 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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