Below Average
#1075 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
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#1,075 of 1,363
In Mechanicsville
#5 of 5
public schools
In district
#25 of 26
St. Mary's County Public Schools
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Lettie Marshall Dent Elem
Elementary School in Mechanicsville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
White Marsh Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mechanicsville Elementary
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lettie Marshall Dent Elem
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem is a public elementary school in Mechanicsville, MD, part of St. Mary's County Public Schools. Lettie Marshall Dent Elem serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio.
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,075 of 1,363 schools in MD. Structured state assessment records for Lettie Marshall Dent Elem show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 6.7
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem — Students at Lettie Marshall Dent Elem score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
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 28 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: 5.0/10.
How Lettie Marshall Dent Elem Compares
See how Lettie Marshall Dent Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. White Marsh Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dynard Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Chaptico), 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 | 8.9 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| ST MARYS BRYANTOWN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bryantown | 6.0 mi | 4.9 |
| T. C. Martin Elementary School Bryantown | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| MOTHER CATHERINE ACADEMY Mechanicsville | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Margaret Brent Middle Mechanicsville | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Chopticon High Morganza | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Malcolm Elementary School Waldorf | 10.0 mi | 5.5 |
| FRIENDSHIP MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville | 9.5 mi | — |
| LOVEVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Leonardtown | 10.1 mi | 2.2 |
| MECHANICSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Mechanicsville | 9.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Dynard Elementary Chaptico | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| St. Charles High School Waldorf | 10.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville | 11.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Barstow Elementary Prince Frederick | 9.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ST PETERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waldorf | 11.4 mi | 6.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allenwood Elementary Temple Hills, MD | 4.8 |
| Bester Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 4.8 |
| Campfield Early Childhood Center Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Carole Highlands Elementary Takoma Park, MD | 4.8 |
| Charlesmont Elementary Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| Fullerton Elementary Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
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 ranks #1,075 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Lettie Marshall Dent Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Lettie Marshall Dent Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lettie Marshall Dent Elem has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.3%
- Phone
- (301) 472-4500
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
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