Average
#563 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 41% in state
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Elementary School · Charles County Public Schools
400 Willow Ln, La Plata, MD 20646
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Plata
#3 of 4
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#509 of 882
In district
#10 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of La Plata, Maryland, in Charles County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 605 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers.
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is part of the Charles County Public Schools system and operates in a setting that offers a peaceful rural environment near town amenities, providing a balance between nature and community resources. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.4 out of 10, with its state ranking placing it as the 483rd best out of 1364 schools statewide, in the 65th percentile.
In terms of academic performance, students show proficiency rates of 46% in English Language Arts and Reading, and 34% in Math. Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is situated in a rural area that fosters a close-knit community atmosphere for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School — Students at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
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: 7.7/10.
How Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School Compares
See how Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 46.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60% (2025).
Location
400 Willow Ln, La Plata, MD 20646
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mary H. Matula Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Waldorf), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Billingsley Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby White Plains), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Plata, see our La Plata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Milton M. Somers Middle School La Plata | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Plata | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL La Plata | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Mary H. Matula Elementary School La Plata | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| La Plata High School La Plata | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| F. B. Gwynn Educational Center La Plata | 2.3 mi | — |
| SMCA White Plains | 4.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret | 4.4 mi | 5.1 |
| St. Charles High School Waldorf | 4.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Billingsley Elementary School White Plains | 6.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf | 5.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Mary B. Neal Elementary School Waldorf | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf | 6.3 mi | 7.0 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf | 6.8 mi | — |
| Eva Turner Elementary School Waldorf | 6.3 mi | 4.5 |
| William B. Wade Elementary School Waldorf | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Westlake High School Waldorf | 7.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf | 6.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Benjamin Stoddert Middle School Waldorf | 6.8 mi | 2.9 |
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 Walter J. Mitchell Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Banneker Elementary Loveville, MD | 6.8 |
| Chadwick Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.8 |
| Excel Academy Public Charter Fort Washington, MD | 6.8 |
| Galway Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.8 |
| Glade Elementary Walkersville, MD | 6.8 |
| Huntingtown Elementary Huntingtown, MD | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
What grades does Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School serve?
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School?
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School rank in MD?
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is ranked #563 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has 35.9% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School?
34.9% of students at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,970/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Plata). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 605
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Charles County
- Phone
- (301) 934-4687
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #10 of 37
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.