The top reported proficiency rate is 68% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary is a regular public school in Leonardtown, Maryland, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. Part of St. Mary's County Public Schools, it operates out of a location on Hayden Farm Lane. For a parent looking at elementary options, this school offers a fairly consistent academic picture across the tested grades, with some variation by subject.
State assessment data from the 2024-25 school year, from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, shows that across third through fifth grade, a clear majority of students met the proficiency benchmark in English language arts. In third grade, the share proficient was comfortably above half, and it rose slightly by fifth grade. Fourth grade ELA was also solid, with roughly two-thirds of students reaching the bar. Mathematics results were a bit more uneven: third grade math proficiency was in a similar range to ELA, but fourth grade math dipped noticeably below the school's own ELA levels, before recovering in fifth grade. Science, tested only in fifth grade, showed a lower share proficient compared to both math and ELA in that grade. A parent may want to ask the school about the dip in fourth-grade math and the science results, as these are the two weaker spots in an otherwise respectable record. Because this is the only year of data provided, no multi-year trend is available to say whether these are typical patterns.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Just under one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a relatively low share among Maryland elementary schools. Enrollment size is moderate, allowing for grade-level cohorts that are large enough to offer typical elementary class sections. The school does not have available data on students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent with a child in those groups should check directly with the school about support services.
Leonardtown, the county seat of St. Mary's County, is a growing community. Its population has increased substantially in recent years, driven by its proximity to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Washington, D.C. metro area. The town has a walkable downtown core with restaurants, shops, galleries, and a waterfront park, though outside the center it is more car-dependent. Housing values in the zip code are above the state median, reflecting demand from military and government-related families. The school itself is integrated into the town, not isolated on a remote campus. The local hospital, county government, and a community college satellite campus are all in town. This context suggests a relatively stable, family-oriented community with a mix of longer-term residents and newcomers.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, it has no graduation rate, and the county-level comparison could not be run due to an insufficient number of districts. So there is no positioning relative to other St. Mary's County schools from the data provided. The district brief found no recent parent-relevant changes to report.
For a family considering Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary, the academic picture is strongest in English language arts across grades, with math showing some inconsistency. The community is one with above-average housing costs and a growing population tied to the naval air station. The school’s moderate size and low poverty rate may appeal to families who want a suburban-school environment in a town with a historic downtown and civic amenities. The gaps in available data on special populations and multi-year trends mean a parent with specific needs should plan to contact the school directly.
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