Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0La Plata’s public schools score below 68% of Maryland districts on tests and graduation
17% of students in La Plata’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving La Plata, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
La Plata’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 45% and 25% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,598 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Milton M. Somers Middle School, then La Plata High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Phoenix International School of the Arts, Archbishop Neale School (private) and Grace Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind La Plata’s grade
C: better than 32% of Maryland school districts, #149 of 261 Maryland towns. Graduation is above the Maryland average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve La Plata, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in La Plata · depends on your address
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 663 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 610 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in La Plata
Milton M. Somers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 671 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in La Plata
Milton M. Somers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 671 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in La Plata
Milton M. Somers Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 671 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in La Plata
La Plata High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in La Plata
La Plata High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in La Plata
La Plata High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in La Plata
La Plata High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
La Plata’s public schools are run by Charles County Public Schools, which also serves Indian Head and Port Tobacco Village. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
La Plata vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share La Plata’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| La Plata | C | Charles County |
Every school in La Plata
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (F. B. Gwynn Educational Center).
Questions about La Plata’s schools
Are La Plata’s schools good?
On Maryland’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools La Plata children attend score below 68% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #149 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is La Plata in?
Charles County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 28,162 students in 38 schools (2024–25).
Where do La Plata kids go to high school?
La Plata High School, with 1,217 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is La Plata’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Charles County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does La Plata spend per student?
$18,598 in Charles County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in La Plata?
Yes: Archbishop Neale School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 312 students) and Grace Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 282 students). La Plata also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What La Plata families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near La Plata → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.