Average
#664 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 49% in state
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Elementary School · Charles County Public Schools · La Plata, MD
A Charles County Public Schools elementary school serving grades Pre-K – 5th.
400 Willow Ln, La Plata, MD 20646
- Math 40% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 55% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 24 points since 2020, reaching 48% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 55% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 62% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
34.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Washington DC map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 19Car-Dependent
- Bike 29Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,970/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (La Plata), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$130,008
Median home value
$435,100
Median rent
$1,486/mo
College educated
33.4%
Homeownership
85.1%
Poverty rate
4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 20646; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Lutheran SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.8private | PK–8 | 0.9 mi | 177 | Compare → |
| Archbishop Neale SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.6private | PK–8 | 1.2 mi | 235 | Compare → |
| Mary H. Matula Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.8 | PK–5 | 2.1 mi | 578 | Compare → |
| F. B. Gwynn Educational CenterEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | PK | 2.3 mi | 4 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Charles County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 40
- Rank in district
- #8 of 37
- District spending per student
- $17,415NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 7.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School is listed in Charles County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
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, serving approximately 605 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #664 of 1,363 schools in MD.
State assessment records show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 605
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Charles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.4%
- Phone
- (301) 934-4687
- Area population (ZIP 20646)
- 21,601
- Area average commute
- 38.7 min
- Area median age
- 43.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 20646; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Get 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.