Average
#983 of 1,363 schools in MD
Pleasant Plains Elementary
Elementary School · Baltimore County Public Schools
8300 Pleasant Plains Rd, Towson, MD 21286
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Towson
#4 of 6
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#748 of 882
In district
#111 of 169
Baltimore County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Pleasant Plains Elementary
Pleasant Plains Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Towson, Maryland, within Baltimore County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 521 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners.
Pleasant Plains Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10, placing it at number 1080 in Maryland's state ranking among 1364 schools, which reflects room for academic growth. The academic score is 2.8/10, with 20% proficiency or above in ELA and reading, and 12% proficiency or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school focuses on developing a strong foundation of learning skills that will serve its students well as they progress through their education.
Pleasant Plains Elementary is situated in a small city setting, providing students with a variety of community resources and opportunities to engage with their neighborhood. The school's location allows for easy access to local parks, libraries, and cultural centers, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Pleasant Plains Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Pleasant Plains Elementary — Students at Pleasant Plains Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Pleasant Plains Elementary Compares
See how Pleasant Plains Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 17.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 23.5% (2025).
Location
8300 Pleasant Plains Rd, Towson, MD 21286
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pleasant Plains Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROCK CHURCH ACADEMY (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stoneleigh Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Towson, see our Towson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Loch Raven Technical Academy Baltimore | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| CALVERT HALL COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| THE ARROW CENTER FOR EDUCATION Baltimore | 0.9 mi | — |
| CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Towson | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Halstead Academy Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| ROCK CHURCH ACADEMY Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Loch Raven High Baltimore | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Oakleigh Elementary Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| White Oak School Parkville | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| BRIDGES MONTESSORI OF TOWSON, INC Towson | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| THE CHILDREN'S GUILD Chillum | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL Towson | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Achievement Academy at Harbor City High Baltimore | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Reginald F. Lewis High Baltimore | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Villa Cresta Elementary Baltimore | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Stoneleigh Elementary Baltimore | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Towson High Towson | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21286 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,093
Median Home Value
$402,000
Median Rent
$1,597/mo
Population
21,782
College Educated
57.4%
Homeownership
62.3%
Avg Commute
28.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pleasant Plains Elementary has a median household income of $93,093. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $402,000, with a median rent of $1,597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Beechfield Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.5 |
| Bodkin Elementary Pasadena, MD | 5.5 |
| Cecil Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.5 |
| Edmondson Heights Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.5 |
| Hebron - Harman Elementary Hanover, MD | 5.5 |
| Kennard Elementary School Centreville, MD | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pleasant Plains Elementary
What grades does Pleasant Plains Elementary serve?
Pleasant Plains Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pleasant Plains Elementary?
Pleasant Plains Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Plains Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Plains 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 Pleasant Plains Elementary rank in MD?
Pleasant Plains Elementary is ranked #983 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Pleasant Plains Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pleasant Plains Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Pleasant Plains Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pleasant Plains Elementary has 12.5% math proficiency and 19.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pleasant Plains Elementary a charter school?
No, Pleasant Plains Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pleasant Plains Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pleasant Plains Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pleasant Plains Elementary?
67.0% of students at Pleasant Plains 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 521
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Baltimore County
- Phone
- (443) 809-3549
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,275
- Schools in District
- 179
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,666
- District Rank
- #111 of 169
Other Schools in This District
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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