Needs Improvement
#1319 of 1,363 schools in MD
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem
Elementary School · St. Mary's County Public Schools
37840 New Market Turner Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mechanicsville
#5 of 5
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#863 of 882
In district
#25 of 26
St. Mary's County Public Schools
About Lettie Marshall Dent Elem
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is a regular public elementary school in Mechanicsville, Maryland, situated in the rural St. Mary's County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 477 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1.
With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem offers personalized attention to its young learners. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 20th percentile among Maryland schools and ranking it at #1099 out of 1364 state-wide. Academically, students score an average of 5.5 out of 10, with 43% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% proficient or above in Math.
While the academic performance shows room for improvement, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem focuses on student development and growth. Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is located in a rural setting that provides a close-knit community atmosphere. The school's environment encourages students to connect with nature and fosters a supportive learning community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem 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
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Lettie Marshall Dent Elem — Students at Lettie Marshall Dent Elem score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Lettie Marshall Dent Elem Compares
See how Lettie Marshall Dent Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 33.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 44.4% (2025).
Location
37840 New Market Turner Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lettie Marshall Dent Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barstow Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Prince Frederick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mechanicsville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, T. C. Martin Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Bryantown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mechanicsville, see our Mechanicsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| White Marsh Elementary Mechanicsville | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| ST MARYS BRYANTOWN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bryantown | 6.0 mi | 4.9 |
| T. C. Martin Elementary School Bryantown | 6.1 mi | 7.8 |
| MOTHER CATHERINE ACADEMY Mechanicsville | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Margaret Brent Middle Mechanicsville | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Chopticon High Morganza | 8.6 mi | 4.3 |
| BUSY CORNER SCHOOL Leonardtown | 8.2 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF WALDORF Waldorf | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| PIN CUSHION MENNONITE SCHOOL Leonardtown | 9.3 mi | — |
| Oakville Elementary Mechanicsville | 8.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Malcolm Elementary School Waldorf | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| FRIENDSHIP MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville | 9.5 mi | — |
| LOVEVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Leonardtown | 10.1 mi | 2.3 |
| MECHANICSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville | 9.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Dynard Elementary Chaptico | 11.1 mi | 6.2 |
| St. Charles High School Waldorf | 10.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville | 11.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Barstow Elementary Prince Frederick | 9.7 mi | 8.5 |
| ST PETERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waldorf | 11.4 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20659 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,571
Median Home Value
$388,400
Median Rent
$1,781/mo
Population
23,918
College Educated
25.8%
Homeownership
90.5%
Avg Commute
42.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has a median household income of $117,571. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $388,400, with a median rent of $1,781/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 42 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 |
|---|---|
| Gilpin Manor Elementary Elkton, MD | 3.9 |
| Lansdowne Elementary Baltimore, MD | 3.9 |
| ST URSULA SCHOOL Baltimore, MD | 3.9 |
| Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf, MD | 3.8 |
| Elk Neck Elementary Elkton, MD | 3.8 |
| Reisterstown Elementary Reisterstown, MD | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lettie Marshall Dent Elem
What grades does Lettie Marshall Dent Elem serve?
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lettie Marshall Dent Elem?
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lettie Marshall Dent Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lettie Marshall Dent Elem rank in MD?
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is ranked #1319 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Lettie Marshall Dent Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Lettie Marshall Dent Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has 37.1% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lettie Marshall Dent Elem a charter school?
No, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lettie Marshall Dent Elem a Title I school?
No, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lettie Marshall Dent Elem?
36.5% of students at Lettie Marshall Dent Elem 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,267/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- St. Mary's County
- Phone
- (301) 472-4500
- 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
- #25 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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