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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Charles County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 40 public schools serving 27,765 students in Charles County, MD (there are 14 private schools, serving 2,247 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Charles County, MD are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Charles County, MD are North Point High School, La Plata High School and Dr. James Craik Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charles County, MD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Maryland public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Charles County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public school average of 69% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Charles County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Point High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2500 Davis Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-1759
Gr: 9-12 | 1,960 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #22.
La Plata High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6035 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-1100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,217 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Dr. James Craik Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7725 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-4270
Gr: PK-5 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #44.
Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7775 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #55.
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6025 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-5412
Gr: PK-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #66.
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
400 Willow Ln
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4687
Gr: PK-5 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
12872 Rock Point Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-4091
Gr: PK-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
Piccowaxen Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
12834 Rock Point Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-1977
Gr: 6-8 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #99.
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4800 Lancaster Circle
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-9053
Gr: PK-5 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Mt Hope/nanjemoy Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
9275 Ironsides Rd
Nanjemoy, MD 20662
(301) 246-4383
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1111.
Gale-bailey Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4740 Pisgah Marbury Rd
Marbury, MD 20658
(301) 743-5491
Gr: PK-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1212.
Maurice J. Mcdonough High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7165 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-2944
Gr: 9-12 | 1,163 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1313.
T. C. Martin Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6315 Olivers Shop Rd
Bryantown, MD 20617
(301) 274-3182
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1414.
Theodore G. Davis Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2495 Davis Road
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2082
Gr: 6-8 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1515.
Malcolm Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
14760 Poplar Hill Rd
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-2691
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1616.
Milton M. Somers Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Willow Lane
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4663
Gr: 6-8 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5998 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
Gr: PK
Rank: #1818.
William A. Diggs Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2615 Davis Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2081
Gr: PK-5 | 876 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1919.
William B. Wade Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Smallwood Dr W
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-4304
Gr: PK-5 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2020.
Berry Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
10155 Berry Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 638-2330
Gr: PK-5 | 726 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2121.
J. C. Parks Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3505 Livingston Rd
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-7444
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2222.
Henry E. Lackey High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3000 Chicamuxen Rd
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5431
Gr: 9-12 | 1,033 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2323.
Mary B. Neal Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
12105 St. George's Dr
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 638-2617
Gr: PK-5 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2424.
Westlake High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3300 Middletown Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-8857
Gr: 9-12 | 1,216 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2525.
St. Charles High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5305 Piney Church Rd
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 753-2090
Gr: 9-12 | 1,617 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2626.
Matthew Henson Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3535 Livingston Rd
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-8550
Gr: 6-8 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2727.
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
421 University Dr
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-1330
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2828.
Thomas Stone High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3785 Leonardtown Rd
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-2601
Gr: 9-12 | 1,230 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2929.
Arthur Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1109 Copley Ave
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3338
Gr: PK-5 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3030.
Billingsley Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
10069 Billingsley Road
White Plains, MD 20695
(301) 753-2088
Gr: PK-5 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3131.
General Smallwood Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4990 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5422
Gr: 6-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3232.
Indian Head Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4200 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5454
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3333.
Mattawoman Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
10145 Berry Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-7708
Gr: 6-8 | 862 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3434.
Daniel Of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2820 Jenifer School Ln
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-9603
Gr: PK-5 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Eva Turner Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Bannister Cir
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-4828
Gr: PK-5 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Show 5 more public schools in Charles County, MD (out of 40 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Charles County, MD?
The top-ranked public schools in Charles County, MD include North Point High School, La Plata High School and Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Charles County?
40 public schools are located in Charles County.
What percentage of students in Charles County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Charles County are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charles County?
Charles County public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public schools average of 69% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Charles County are often viewed compared to one another?

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