Public schools in La Plata, MD
6 open public schools with an address in La Plata, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
6
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
3,404
6 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
15.4:1
Maryland median 14.2:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of La Plata public schools
The federal directory lists 6 public schools in La Plata, MD: 3 elementary, 2 middle, 1 high. The 6 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 3,404 students, an average of 567 per school. The largest campus is La Plata High School (1,217 students), and the largest elementary school is Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School (663).
Every listed school belongs to Charles County Public Schools. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 15.4:1, higher than the statewide school median of 14.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
About 37% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving La Plata
Elementary schools in La Plata
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F. B. Gwynn Educational Center Charles County Public Schools · Alternative School | PK–08 | 0 | 0:1 | |
| Mary H. Matula Elementary School Charles County Public Schools | PK–05 | 610 | 14.5:1 | |
| Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School Charles County Public Schools | PK–05 | 663 | 18.4:1 |
Middle schools in La Plata
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton M. Somers Middle School Charles County Public Schools | 06–08 | 671 | 13.7:1 | |
| Phoenix International School of the Arts Charles County Public Schools · Charter | 06–08 | 243 | 16.2:1 |
High schools in La Plata
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Plata High School Charles County Public Schools | 09–12 | 1,217 | 16.4:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White40%
- Hispanic10.3%
- Black37.3%
- Asian2.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial9.1%
Enrollment-weighted across 5 La Plata schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (3,404 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in La Plata
How many public schools are in La Plata, MD?
The current NCES directory lists 6 open public schools with a location address in La Plata: 3 elementary, 2 middle, 1 high. Together they reported 3,404 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve La Plata?
All listed public schools with an address in La Plata belong to Charles County Public Schools. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in La Plata?
La Plata High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in La Plata, with 1,217 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in La Plata?
Yes. 1 of the 6 public schools in La Plata are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Phoenix International School of the Arts. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in La Plata schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across La Plata public schools is 15.4:1, higher than the Maryland school median of 14.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in La Plata guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Maryland cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Maryland cities