Average
#664 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 49% 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
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#664 of 1,363
In La Plata
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#8 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Elementary School in La Plata · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Milton M. Somers Middle School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Lutheran School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is a public elementary school in La Plata, MD, part of Charles County Public Schools. Walter J.
Mitchell Elementary School serves approximately 605 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #664 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School 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
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School — Students at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 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: 6.9/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Billingsley Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby White Plains), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mary H. Matula Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away), 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 | 5.7 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| La Plata High School La Plata | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| St. Charles High School Waldorf | 4.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret | 4.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Billingsley Elementary School White Plains | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Mary B. Neal Elementary School Waldorf | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf | 6.3 mi | 4.5 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf | 6.8 mi | — |
| Eva Turner Elementary School Waldorf | 6.3 mi | 3.7 |
| William B. Wade Elementary School Waldorf | 6.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Westlake High School Waldorf | 7.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf | 6.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Benjamin Stoddert Middle School Waldorf | 6.8 mi | 3.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arrowhead Elementary Upper Marlboro, MD | 6.4 |
| Burnt Mills Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.4 |
| CALVERT SCHOOL Baltimore, MD | 6.4 |
| Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret, MD | 6.4 |
| Great Seneca Creek Elementary Germantown, MD | 6.4 |
| Greencastle Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.4 |
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 ranks #664 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.4%
- Phone
- (301) 934-4687
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #8 of 37
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