Very Good
#289 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 21% in state
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
Elementary School · Charles County Public Schools
4800 Lancaster Circle, Waldorf, MD 20603
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waldorf
#1 of 20
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#282 of 882
In district
#3 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Waldorf, Maryland, within Charles County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 588 students.
With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, C. Paul Barnhart provides personalized attention to help each child succeed academically. The school's academic performance is represented by a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks at the 54th percentile among Maryland schools.
The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 33%, while in Math, 35% of students are proficient or above. These scores suggest areas for improvement but also indicate a strong focus on student development. C.
Paul Barnhart Elementary School is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a welcoming and supportive community environment. The school's setting provides a blend of suburban amenities and a close-knit neighborhood feel, making it an ideal place for children to grow and learn.
Score Breakdown
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C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School — Students at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School Compares
See how C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 56% (2019) to 55.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 50% (2025).
Location
4800 Lancaster Circle, Waldorf, MD 20603
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Billingsley Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby White Plains), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Arthur Middleton Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waldorf, see our Waldorf schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| William B. Wade Elementary School Waldorf | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School Waldorf | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf | 1.6 mi | — |
| Westlake High School Waldorf | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Billingsley Elementary School White Plains | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Berry Elementary School Waldorf | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Mattawoman Middle School Waldorf | 2.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary Waldorf | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| North Point High School Waldorf | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| William A. Diggs Elementary School Waldorf | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Theodore G. Davis Middle School Waldorf | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Benjamin Stoddert Middle School Waldorf | 2.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Eva Turner Elementary School Waldorf | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| J. P. Ryon Elementary School Waldorf | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| John Hanson Middle School Waldorf | 2.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Mary B. Neal Elementary School Waldorf | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Thomas Stone High School Waldorf | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| SMCA White Plains | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$137,138
Median Home Value
$430,700
Median Rent
$2,021/mo
Population
32,649
College Educated
37.1%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
44.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has a median household income of $137,138. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $430,700, with a median rent of $2,021/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 44 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bells Mill Elementary Potomac, MD | 7.8 |
| Featherbed Lane Elementary Baltimore, MD | 7.8 |
| Forest Lakes Elementary Forest Hill, MD | 7.8 |
| Fort Washington Forest Elem Fort Washington, MD | 7.8 |
| Glen Avenue School Salisbury, MD | 7.8 |
| Hickory Elementary Bel Air, MD | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
What grades does C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School serve?
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School?
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 588 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School rank in MD?
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School is ranked #289 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has 39.4% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School a charter school?
No, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School a Title I school?
No, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School?
58.3% of students at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 588
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Charles County
- Phone
- (301) 645-9053
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #3 of 37
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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