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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Charles County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public preschools serving 12,238 students in Charles County, MD.
The top-ranked public preschools in Charles County, MD are Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Mary H. Matula Elementary School and Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charles County, MD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Maryland public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Charles County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public preschool average of 71% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Charles County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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%
Rank: #2222.
J. P. Ryon Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
12140 Vivian Adams Dr
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-3090
Gr: PK-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
820 Stone Ave
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3686
Gr: PK-5 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Charles County, MD?
The top-ranked public preschools in Charles County, MD include Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Mary H. Matula Elementary School and Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Charles County?
23 public preschools are located in Charles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Charles County?
Charles County public preschools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public preschools average of 71% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Charles County are often viewed compared to one another?

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