Excellent
#140 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 10% in state
Preston Elementary School
Elementary School · Caroline County Public Schools
Po Box 69, Preston, MD 21655
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland elementary schools
#138 of 882
In district
#3 of 9
Caroline County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Preston Elementary School
Preston Elementary School is a public elementary school in Preston, MD, part of the Caroline County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 396 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 89.8th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 44% in reading/language arts, 8 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $85,608, where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Preston 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
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Preston Elementary School — Students at Preston Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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: 8.6/10.
How Preston Elementary School Compares
See how Preston Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 56.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47.8% (2025).
Location
Po Box 69, Preston, MD 21655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Preston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hurlock Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Hurlock), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Warwick Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Secretary), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Denton Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Denton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Preston, see our Preston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SMITHSON'S CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preston | 4.0 mi | — |
| Colonel Richardson High School Federalsburg | 5.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hurlock Elementary School Hurlock | 6.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Colonel Richardson Middle School Federalsburg | 5.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Warwick Elementary School Secretary | 7.3 mi | 9.2 |
| North Dorchester High School Hurlock | 8.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Federalsburg Elementary School Federalsburg | 6.9 mi | 8.7 |
| North Dorchester Middle School Hurlock | 8.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Easton High Easton | 9.2 mi | 4.9 |
| SAINTS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Easton | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| SS PETER & PAUL HIGH SCHOOL Easton | 9.2 mi | 5.8 |
| White Marsh Elementary Trappe | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Easton | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Denton Elementary School Denton | 11.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Easton Middle Easton | 9.9 mi | 5.4 |
| CHESAPEAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easton | 10.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Chapel District Elementary Cordova | 11.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Easton Elementary Easton | 10.6 mi | 4.9 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cambridge | 12.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Lockerman Middle School Denton | 13.1 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,608
Median Home Value
$291,200
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
Population
4,995
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
82.2%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Preston Elementary School has a median household income of $85,608. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,200, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allenwood Elementary Temple Hills, MD | 8.4 |
| Damascus Elementary Damascus, MD | 8.4 |
| Francis T. Evans Elementary Clinton, MD | 8.4 |
| Frederick Classical Charter Frederick, MD | 8.4 |
| George Washington Carver Elementary Great Mills, MD | 8.4 |
| Maryland City Elementary Laurel, MD | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Preston Elementary School
What grades does Preston Elementary School serve?
Preston Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Preston Elementary School?
Preston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Preston Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Preston Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Preston Elementary School rank in MD?
Preston Elementary School is ranked #140 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Preston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Preston Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Preston Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Preston Elementary School has 34.4% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Preston Elementary School a charter school?
No, Preston Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Preston Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Preston Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Preston Elementary School?
55.1% of students at Preston 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Caroline County
- Phone
- (410) 479-2897
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caroline County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,676
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,385
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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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