For the 2025-26 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 (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dr. James Craik Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7725 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-4270
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-4270
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Mary H. Matula Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6025 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-5412
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-5412
Gr: PK-5 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #33.
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Willow Ln
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4687
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4687
Gr: PK-5 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
12872 Rock Point Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-4091
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-4091
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #55.
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4800 Lancaster Circle
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-9053
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-9053
Gr: PK-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Mt Hope/nanjemoy Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9275 Ironsides Rd
Nanjemoy, MD 20662
(301) 246-4383
Nanjemoy, MD 20662
(301) 246-4383
Gr: PK-5 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Gale-bailey Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4740 Pisgah Marbury Rd
Marbury, MD 20658
(301) 743-5491
Marbury, MD 20658
(301) 743-5491
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
T. C. Martin Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6315 Olivers Shop Rd
Bryantown, MD 20617
(301) 274-3182
Bryantown, MD 20617
(301) 274-3182
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #99.
Malcolm Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14760 Poplar Hill Rd
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-2691
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-2691
Gr: PK-5 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1010.
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5998 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
Gr: PK | 4 students
Rank: #1111.
William A. Diggs Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2615 Davis Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2081
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2081
Gr: PK-5 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1212.
William B. Wade Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Smallwood Dr W
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-4304
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-4304
Gr: PK-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1313.
Berry Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10155 Berry Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 638-2330
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 638-2330
Gr: PK-5 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1414.
J. C. Parks Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3505 Livingston Rd
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-7444
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-7444
Gr: PK-5 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1515.
Mary B. Neal Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
12105 St. George's Dr
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 638-2617
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 638-2617
Gr: PK-5 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
421 University Dr
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-1330
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-1330
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1717.
Arthur Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1109 Copley Ave
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3338
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3338
Gr: PK-5 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1818.
Billingsley Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10069 Billingsley Road
White Plains, MD 20695
(301) 753-2088
White Plains, MD 20695
(301) 753-2088
Gr: PK-5 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1919.
Indian Head Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4200 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5454
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5454
Gr: PK-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2020.
Daniel Of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2820 Jenifer School Ln
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-9603
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 932-9603
Gr: PK-5 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2121.
Eva Turner Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Bannister Cir
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-4828
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-4828
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2222.
J. P. Ryon Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
12140 Vivian Adams Dr
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-3090
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-3090
Gr: PK-5 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
820 Stone Ave
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3686
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-3686
Gr: PK-5 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Charles County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Charles County Career & Technology Center (Closed 2006)
Vocational School
7775 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-9061
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 934-9061
Gr: Inquire with school
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?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Charles County include: Mt Hope/nanjemoy Elementary School vs. Gale-bailey Elementary School, Billingsley Elementary School vs. William A. Diggs Elementary School, J. C. Parks Elementary School vs. William A. Diggs Elementary School
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