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Needs Improvement

#1321 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

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,321 of 1,363

In Towson

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#155 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Pleasant Plains Elementary

2.9/10

Elementary School in Towson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Loch Raven Technical Academy

3.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Calvert Hall College High School

4.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pleasant Plains Elementary

Pleasant Plains Elementary is a public elementary school in Towson, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Pleasant Plains Elementary serves approximately 521 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Pleasant Plains Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,321 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Pleasant Plains Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Pleasant Plains Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-16 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism48.9%

Pleasant Plains Elementary — Students at Pleasant Plains Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 43.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
23%
2025
Math
14.2%
ELA
26.9%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Pleasant Plains Elementary Compares

See how Pleasant Plains Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in MD
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stoneleigh Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROCK CHURCH ACADEMY (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Baltimore), which scores notably 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 3.9
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 8.4
Halstead Academy Baltimore 1.0 mi 3.0
ROCK CHURCH ACADEMY Baltimore 1.0 mi 7.6
Loch Raven High Baltimore 1.0 mi 4.9
Oakleigh Elementary Baltimore 1.1 mi 3.3
White Oak School Parkville 1.1 mi 3.7
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 6.0
Reginald F. Lewis High Baltimore 1.8 mi 6.8
Villa Cresta Elementary Baltimore 1.5 mi 5.4
Stoneleigh Elementary Baltimore 1.5 mi 8.2
Towson High Towson 1.5 mi 7.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dorothy I. Height Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
Halstead Academy Baltimore, MD 3.0
Hawthorne Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
J. P. Ryon Elementary School Waldorf, MD 3.0
Norwood Elementary Baltimore, MD 2.8
Sandy Plains Elementary Baltimore, MD 3.0

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 ranks #1,321 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Pleasant Plains Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pleasant Plains Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Pleasant Plains Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pleasant Plains Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.9%

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#155 of 169

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