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Preston Elementary School

Q: Is Preston Elementary School a good school?

Preston Elementary School ranks 277 th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

277^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 864 Maryland Elementary Schools

Better than 68% of Maryland elementary schools

Summary

Preston Elementary School in Preston, MD, is a mid-sized elementary school serving 381 students in grades PK-5 within the Caroline County Public Schools district, and it stands out as a high-performing bright spot in a district that ranks in the 40th percentile statewide.

Preston Elementary truly shines in mathematics and science. In the most recent school year, 45.8% of all students were proficient in math—nearly double the district average of 23.7% and significantly above the state average of 27.1%. This strong math performance is consistent across all grade levels and far exceeds nearby schools like Denton Elementary School (32.8%) and Warwick Elementary School (32.1%). In 5th-grade science, 42.6% of students were proficient, again outperforming the district (25.3%) and state (32.4%) averages, and matching the top science scores in the region, such as Chapel District Elementary (40.4%). While English Language Arts (ELA) scores are more moderate at 53.1% proficiency, the school’s overall academic trajectory is positive, rising from the 58th percentile in 2018-2019 to the 68th percentile in the most recent data.

Despite these academic strengths, Preston Elementary faces a persistent challenge with chronic absenteeism, which has hovered around 21% in recent years. While this is better than the district average of 28%, it is higher than several high-performing nearby schools like White Marsh Elementary (15.2%) and Warwick Elementary (17.3%). The school’s per-student spending ($20,066) and student-teacher ratio (13.6) are moderate compared to its neighbors, suggesting that its strong performance is driven by effective instruction and leadership rather than simply having the most resources. For parents, Preston Elementary offers a clear academic advantage in math and science within the Caroline County district, though addressing attendance could unlock even greater potential.

381

Students ?

13.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,066

Per pupil spending ?

60.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

225 Main St
Preston, MD 21655

(410) 479-2897

District: Caroline County Public Schools

Students who attend Preston Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Colonel Richardson Middle School
High:	Colonel Richardson High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.1%

Hispanic:

12.1%

African American:

8.4%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 60th percentile in 2016 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (49% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 8 percentile points since 2016

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Caroline County Public Schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg36%

Maryland avg39%

277^th of 864

Maryland public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▲ up 8 pts since 2016

From top 40% (2016) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Elementary Schools in the Caroline County Public Schools

15^th of 25Caroline County Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	66.8	277 of 864	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.9	310 of 865	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.8	314 of 859	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.3	349 of 855	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.5	303 of 862	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.4	336 of 802	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.5	358 of 853	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.0	364 of 857	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	55.6	344 of 847	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	56.6	335 of 845	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2015	53.9	361 of 859	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	58.1	422 of 867	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	50.3	460 of 847	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	58.8	410 of 857	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	59.0	396 of 853	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	73.5	221 of 855	74.2%	★★★★☆
2009	81.2	107 of 850	87.4%	★★★★☆
2008	78.5	156 of 838	81.4%	★★★★☆
2007	34.4	583 of 818	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	45.2	483 of 804	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	24.5	639 of 805	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	30.0	613 of 803	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	46.9	306 of 796	61.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	45.2	321 of 788	59.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	28.5	359 of 528	32.0%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2021)62nd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2021)59th percentile~ school

White (2021)32nd percentile-26 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts53%~ state avg

Mathematics46%+19 vs state

Science43%+10 vs state

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Schools Near Preston Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)				MCAP English Language Arts (2026)				MCAP Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Preston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	225 Main St	Preston	21655	Caroline County	Caroline County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 479-2897	381	28	13.6	60.1%	271 (71.1%)	32 (8.4%)	46 (12.1%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.3%)	66.8	277^th of 864 public elementary schools	67.9%		62.9	310^th of 865 public elementary schools	64.2%	33	55.4	49.3	27.7	45.8	55.4	52.2	51.1	53.1	42.6	$20,066	$2,685	$17,381
Hurlock Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Charles St.	Hurlock	21643	Dorchester County	Dorchester County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 943-3303	391	29	13.4	75.4%	149 (38.1%)	145 (37.1%)	48 (12.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	45 (11.5%)	33.6	538^th of 864 public elementary schools	37.7%		41.5	477^th of 865 public elementary schools	44.9%	61	39.5	23.0	16.1	24.4	36.8	45.9	35.7	40.5	12.7	$23,879	$4,784	$19,095
Federalsburg Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	302 S University Ave	Federalsburg	21632	Caroline County	Caroline County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 479-2761	415	36	11.5	81.2%	148 (35.7%)	160 (38.6%)	29 (7.0%)	11 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (16.1%)	22.8	649^th of 864 public elementary schools	24.9%		26.2	594^th of 865 public elementary schools	31.3%	55	20.4	22.2	9.0	16.5	40.8	37.0	26.9	34.1	10.4	$22,995	$2,613	$20,381
Warwick Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	155 Main Street	Secretary	21664	Dorchester County	Dorchester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 943-3588	346	23	15.0	51.2%	283 (81.8%)	23 (6.6%)	17 (4.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.4%)	48.3	425^th of 864 public elementary schools	50.8%		70.2	256^th of 865 public elementary schools	70.4%	169	48.9	34.8	15.8	32.1	46.7	65.2	28.1	47.6	25.9	$19,026	$2,650	$16,376
White Marsh Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4322 Lovers Ln	Trappe	21673	Talbot County	Talbot County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 476-3144	289	23	12.7	57.1%	178 (61.6%)	32 (11.1%)	55 (19.0%)	8 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.5%)	69.2	262^nd of 864 public elementary schools	69.7%		76.4	210^th of 865 public elementary schools	75.7%	52	62.8	45.2	35.0	48.0	60.5	61.9	45.0	56.0	35.9	$18,503	$1,807	$16,696
Easton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	307 Glenwood Ave	Easton	21601	Talbot County	Talbot County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 822-0686	1,075	97	11.0	75.2%	294 (27.3%)	192 (17.9%)	486 (45.2%)	35 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (6.3%)	25.7	620^th of 864 public elementary schools	28.2%		22.8	645^th of 865 public elementary schools	25.4%	25	23.5	14.6	19.0	19.1	24.5	36.4	36.2	32.1	23.4	$19,911	$2,490	$17,421
Denton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	303 Sharp Rd	Denton	21629	Caroline County	Caroline County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 479-1660	596	50	11.9	62.4%	351 (58.9%)	91 (15.3%)	58 (9.7%)	17 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	77 (12.9%)	54.4	372^nd of 864 public elementary schools	56.9%		53.9	378^th of 865 public elementary schools	56.3%	6	36.8	30.5	31.2	32.8	52.9	54.9	52.7	53.4	29.0	$18,834	$2,623	$16,211
Chapel District Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11430 Cordova Rd	Cordova	21625	Talbot County	Talbot County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 822-2391	359	27	13.1	40.1%	278 (77.4%)	11 (3.1%)	42 (11.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (7.2%)	80.9	174^th of 864 public elementary schools	79.9%		80.2	178^th of 865 public elementary schools	79.4%	4	60.5	54.7	36.5	51.9	71.1	71.7	63.5	69.1	40.4	$18,349	$1,414	$16,935
Sandy Hill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1503 Glasgow Road	Cambridge	21613	Dorchester County	Dorchester County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(410) 228-7978	393	33	11.9	80.9%	74 (18.8%)	234 (59.5%)	50 (12.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.4%)	18.3	708^th of 864 public elementary schools	18.1%		17	731^st of 865 public elementary schools	15.5%	23	22.0	14.0	6.1	13.6	34.1	30.0	29.2	30.9	8.2	$25,218	$5,510	$19,707
Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center	Public	PK, KG-5	1405 Glasgow Road	Cambridge	21613	Dorchester County	Dorchester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 221-5268	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Preston Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Preston Elementary School?

Students at Preston Elementary School are 71% White, 12% Hispanic, 8% African American, 7% Two or more races.

What district is Preston Elementary School in?

Caroline County Public Schools

How many students attend Preston Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 381 students attended Preston Elementary School.

Is Preston Elementary School a good school?

Preston Elementary School ranks 277^th of 864 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Preston Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Preston Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Colonel Richardson Middle School
High : Colonel Richardson High School

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Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresNewJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.