Dowell Elementary

Summary:

Dowell Elementary is a public elementary school located in Lusby, Maryland, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 585. It is part of the Calvert County Public Schools district, which is ranked 5 out of 25 in Maryland and rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Dowell Elementary stands out for its higher percentage of White students (68.38%) compared to nearby schools, which tend to have more diverse student populations. The school's mathematics proficiency rates are generally higher than the state and district averages, particularly in 3rd and 4th grades, but its 5th-grade mathematics proficiency lags behind. In English Language Arts, Dowell's proficiency rates are higher than the state average but lower than the district average, especially in the upper grades. Additionally, Dowell's science proficiency for 5th grade is significantly lower than the district and state averages.

Compared to the nearby schools, such as St. Leonard Elementary and Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, Dowell Elementary has a lower percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients (41.54%) and a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14.8. However, the school's overall performance, as measured by the SchoolDigger ranking, has fluctuated over the years, suggesting inconsistent or variable performance. Additionally, Dowell Elementary's performance for specific student subgroups, such as male students and low socioeconomic status students, is relatively weaker compared to the overall school rankings. The nearby Chesapeake Charter School, which is in a different district, outperforms Dowell Elementary and the other nearby schools in both mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency across all grade levels.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 12680 H G Trueman Rd
       Lusby, MD  20657


(443) 550-9480

District: Calvert County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
355th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,453 Help


Students who attend Dowell Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Mill Creek Middle
High:    Patuxent High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  585

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.4%
Two or more races:
12.5%
African American:
9.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  41.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Dowell Elementary ranks better than 58.7% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks 11th among 12 ranked elementary schools in the Calvert County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.68. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (68.4%), two or more races (12.5%), African American (9.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 41.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dowell Elementary is 14.8, which is the 3rd best among 12 elementary schools in the Calvert County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Dowell Elementary employs 39.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dowell Elementary is $16,453, which is the 6th highest among 12 elementary schools in the Calvert County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Dowell Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Calvert County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Calvert County Public Schools 5th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Dowell Elementary.

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Rank History for Dowell Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Dowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 46.51 495th 803 38.4%
2005 48.43 457th 805 43.2%
2006 42.32 511th 804 36.4%
2007 33.47 595th 818 27.3%
2008 59.08 401st 838 52.1%
2009 56.27 430th 850 49.4%
2010 55.16 443rd 855 48.2%
2011 67.21 293rd 853 65.7%
2012 72.65 217th 857 74.7%
2013 60.25 359th 847 57.6%
2014 64.29 352nd 867 59.4%
2015 51.41 378th 859 56.0%
2016 59.21 322nd 845 61.9%
2017 71.69 248th 847 70.7%
2018 56.31 336th 857 60.8%
2019 62.44 293rd 853 65.7%
2021 36.63 397th 802 50.5%
2022 48.97 410th 862 52.4%
2023 47.03 387th 855 54.7%
2024 52.68 355th 859 58.7%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Dowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 40.89 302nd 546 44.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Dowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 45.29 321st 796 59.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Dowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 38.37 373rd 788 52.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Dowell Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.70 383rd 528 27.5%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Dowell Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)
33%

0%

0%

0%

67%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, May 31, 2013

Open Quote A kindergartner who brought a cowboy-style cap gun onto his Calvert County school bus was suspended for 10 days after showing a friend the orange-tipped toy, which he had tucked inside his backpack on his way to school, according to his family and a lawyer.

The child was questioned for more than two hours before his mother was called, she said, adding that he uncharacteristically wet his pants during the episode. The boy is 5 — “all bugs and frogs and cowboys,” his mother said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/cowboy-style-cap-gun-gets-5-year-old-ousted-from-school-in-calvert-county/2013/05/30/a3a8a178-c93c-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html Close Quote


by a parent
Saturday, October 2, 2010

Open Quote I have found this principal to be very difficult to work with when issues are brought forth. My wife and I have consulted with an attourney in regards to this principal, and her dictator attitude. The attourney has sued this school before, and won. I would have sued this school if I had a $7,000 retainer fee. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Dowell Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 611 154 14 10 3 n/a n/a 0 792
2001 578 144 19 8 2 n/a n/a 0 751
2002 534 130 11 14 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2003 534 130 11 14 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2004 508 128 9 17 3 n/a n/a 0 665
2005 498 125 8 20 3 n/a n/a 0 654
2006 514 147 10 22 2 n/a n/a 0 695
2007 509 142 9 24 2 n/a n/a 0 686
2008 512 135 9 21 3 n/a n/a 0 680
2009 497 138 9 28 2 n/a n/a 0 674
2010 500 138 16 18 2 n/a n/a 0 674
2011 461 93 11 49 1 3 44 0 662
2012 460 90 13 48 1 1 47 0 660
2013 461 77 12 47 2 0 63 0 662
2014 462 69 12 53 1 0 54 0 651
2015 449 72 9 42 1 0 60 0 633
2016 457 71 13 45 2 0 63 0 651
2017 401 58 7 46 1 0 58 0 571
2018 377 56 16 45 2 0 52 0 548
2019 399 52 14 40 3 0 63 0 571
2020 414 55 14 44 3 0 74 0 604
2021 374 46 15 32 3 0 59 0 529
2022 389 50 15 35 2 0 66 0 557
2023 400 53 17 38 3 1 73 0 585

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Dowell Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 792 38.8 20.4 20.6
2001 751 41.8 18.0 19.6
2002 691 39.3 17.6 20.8
2003 691 39.3 17.6 20.8
2004 665 38.3 17.4 21.1
2005 654 39.0 16.8 23.7
2006 695 39.0 17.8 22.9
2007 686 41.5 16.5 23.5
2008 680 42.5 16.0 22.2
2009 674 40.0 16.9 25.2
2010 674 40.5 16.6 28.8
2011 662 38.5 17.1 33.4
2012 660 38.0 17.3 37.3
2013 662 37.0 17.8 35
2014 651 35.0 18.6 37.3
2015 633 37.0 17.1 37.9
2016 651 38.0 17.1 38.9
2017 571 35.3 16.1 39.4
2018 548 35.1 15.6 35
2019 571 34.9 16.3 31.5
2020 604 38.8 15.5 27.2
2021 529 38.3 13.8 34.8
2022 557 37.1 15.0 33.6
2023 585 39.3 14.8 41.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Dowell Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 792 38.8 20.4 20.6
2001 751 41.8 18.0 19.6
2002 691 39.3 17.6 20.8
2003 691 39.3 17.6 20.8
2004 665 38.3 17.4 21.1
2005 654 39.0 16.8 23.7
2006 695 39.0 17.8 22.9
2007 686 41.5 16.5 23.5
2008 680 42.5 16.0 22.2
2009 674 40.0 16.9 25.2
2010 674 40.5 16.6 28.8
2011 662 38.5 17.1 33.4
2012 660 38.0 17.3 37.3
2013 662 37.0 17.8 35
2014 651 35.0 18.6 37.3
2015 633 37.0 17.1 37.9
2016 651 38.0 17.1 38.9
2017 571 35.3 16.1 39.4
2018 548 35.1 15.6 35
2019 571 34.9 16.3 31.5
2020 604 38.8 15.5 27.2
2021 529 38.3 13.8 34.8
2022 557 37.1 15.0 33.6
2023 585 39.3 14.8 41.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Dowell Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $498 (3.6%) $13,466 (96.4%) $13,964
2020 $573 (4.1%) $13,476 (95.9%) $14,048
2021 $898 (5.7%) $14,725 (94.3%) $15,623
2022 $800 (5.1%) $14,952 (94.9%) $15,752
2023 $1,217 (7.4%) $15,235 (92.6%) $16,453

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dowell Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 293rd of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 387th of 855 Elementary schools
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students571585
 2.5%
African American5253
 1.9%
American Indian33
Asian1417
 21.4%
Hispanic4038
 5%
Pacific Islander01
White399400
 0.3%
Two or More Races6373
 15.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31.5%41.5%
 10%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Dowell Elementary

Students at Dowell Elementary are 68% White, 12% Two or more races, 9% African American, 6% Hispanic, 3% Asian.

Dowell Elementary ranks 355th of 859 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Dowell Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mill Creek Middle
High : Patuxent High

In the 2022-23 school year, 585 students attended Dowell Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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