For the 2026 school year, there are 32 public elementary schools serving 18,486 students in Charles County, MD.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Charles County, MD are Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center and Mary H. Matula Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charles County, MD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Maryland public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Charles County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public elementary school average of 69% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Charles County (2026)
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 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22.
Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7775 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #33.
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 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
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 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
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 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Piccowaxen Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
12834 Rock Point Rd
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-1977
Newburg, MD 20664
(301) 934-1977
Gr: 6-8 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
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 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #88.
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 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #99.
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 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
Theodore G. Davis Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2495 Davis Road
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2082
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 753-2082
Gr: 6-8 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1313.
Milton M. Somers Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Willow Lane
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4663
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-4663
Gr: 6-8 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 876 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1616.
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 | 726 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1717.
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 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1818.
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 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1919.
Matthew Henson Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3535 Livingston Rd
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-8550
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 375-8550
Gr: 6-8 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
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 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2222.
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 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2323.
General Smallwood Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4990 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5422
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301) 743-5422
Gr: 6-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2424.
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 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2525.
Mattawoman Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
10145 Berry Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-7708
Waldorf, MD 20603
(301) 645-7708
Gr: 6-8 | 862 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2626.
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 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
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 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2828.
Benjamin Stoddert Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2040 Saint Thomas Dr
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-1334
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 645-1334
Gr: 6-8 | 920 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
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 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
John Hanson Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3165 John Hanson Dr
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-4520
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301) 645-4520
Gr: 6-8 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3131.
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 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Phoenix International School Of The Arts
Charter School
95 Catalpa Dr
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 202-4159
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 202-4159
Gr: 6-8 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Charles County, MD?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Charles County, MD include Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center and Mary H. Matula Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Charles County?
32 public elementary schools are located in Charles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Charles County?
Charles County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public elementary schools average of 69% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Charles County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Charles County include: Theodore G. Davis Middle School vs. Mattawoman Middle School, Mt Hope/nanjemoy Elementary School vs. Gale-bailey Elementary School, Mattawoman Middle School vs. Theodore G. Davis Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.