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Needs Improvement

#1336 of 1,363 schools in MD

J. C. Parks Elementary School

Elementary School · Charles County Public Schools

3505 Livingston Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640

Enrollment

651

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indian Head

#5 of 5

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#871 of 882

In district

#35 of 37

Charles County Public Schools

About J. C. Parks Elementary School

J. C. Parks Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Indian Head, Maryland, near the town center at 3505 Livingston Rd.

Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, J. C. Parks has an enrollment of 651 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, placing it in the 15th percentile among Maryland schools, reflecting areas where there is room for academic growth. J. C.

Parks Elementary focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment despite lower-than-average proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (34% proficient or above) and Math (19% proficient or above). The school's rural setting provides students with a unique community experience, blending the advantages of small-town life with educational opportunities tailored to their needs.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at J. C. Parks Elementary School is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, J. C. Parks Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.9%
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.1Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,671

J. C. Parks Elementary School — Students at J. C. Parks Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 33.2%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
21.6%
ELA
31.9%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How J. C. Parks Elementary School Compares

See how J. C. Parks Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
2th percentile in MD
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
1.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

3505 Livingston Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J. C. Parks Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gale-Bailey Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Marbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stratford Landing Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waynewood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indian Head, see our Indian Head schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Matthew Henson Middle School Indian Head 0.1 mi 4.2
General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head 3.3 mi 4.1
Henry E. Lackey High School Indian Head 3.7 mi 5.1
Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret 4.0 mi 4.6
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret 4.6 mi 5.1
Gale-Bailey Elementary School Marbury 5.5 mi 8.6
Indian Head Elementary School Indian Head 5.1 mi 5.2
William A. Diggs Elementary School Waldorf 5.3 mi 3.9
Washington Mill Elementary Alexandria 6.8 mi 6.5
Theodore G. Davis Middle School Waldorf 5.6 mi 4.2
North Point High School Waldorf 5.6 mi 5.1
Fort Hunt Elementary Alexandria 7.2 mi 7.3
Woodley Hills Elementary Alexandria 7.4 mi 6.6
Westlake High School Waldorf 5.8 mi 4.4
GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf 5.9 mi
SMCA White Plains 6.1 mi 8.0
Waynewood Elementary Alexandria 7.7 mi 7.7
Billingsley Elementary School White Plains 6.1 mi 7.2
Mount Vernon High Alexandria 7.8 mi 8.0
Stratford Landing Elementary Alexandria 7.8 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,560

Median Home Value

$307,900

Median Rent

$1,752/mo

Population

10,254

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

47.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding J. C. Parks Elementary School has a median household income of $95,560. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,900, with a median rent of $1,752/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 48 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
Bay View Elementary North East, MD 3.5
Halstead Academy Baltimore, MD 3.7
Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #237 Baltimore, MD 3.5
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School Waldorf, MD 3.8
Elk Neck Elementary Elkton, MD 3.8
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Bel Air, MD 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J. C. Parks Elementary School

What grades does J. C. Parks Elementary School serve?

J. C. Parks Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend J. C. Parks Elementary School?

J. C. Parks Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 651 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J. C. Parks Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at J. C. Parks Elementary School is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does J. C. Parks Elementary School rank in MD?

J. C. Parks Elementary School is ranked #1336 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is J. C. Parks Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

J. C. Parks Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 J. C. Parks Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. C. Parks Elementary School has 19.9% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is J. C. Parks Elementary School a charter school?

No, J. C. Parks Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J. C. Parks Elementary School a Title I school?

No, J. C. Parks Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. C. Parks Elementary School?

59.8% of students at J. C. Parks 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,301/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
651
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Charles County
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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