Charles County Public Schools

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Charles County Public Schools
Address
5980 Radio Station Rd
La Plata
, Charles, Maryland, 20646
United States
Coordinates38°32′53″N 76°56′55″W / 38.54809°N 76.94848°W / 38.54809; -76.94848 (Montgomery County Public Schools)
District information
TypePublic
GradesPre-K–12 (including Head Start)
EstablishedOctober 17, 1916; 109 years ago (1916-10-17)[1]
SuperintendentDr. Maria V. Navarro
School boardCharles County Board of Education
Chair of the boardChairman:
Michael Lukas Vice-President:
Latina Wilson
Governing agencyMaryland State Department of Education
Schools209[2]
BudgetUS$408 million fiscal year 2022[3]
NCES District ID2400270[4]
Students and staff
Students26,875 (2021–2022)[2]
Teachers2,091 (2021–2022)[2]
Staff3,755 (2021–2022)[2]
Student–teacher ratio12:1 (2021-22)
Other information
ScheduleM-F except county holidays
Websitewww.ccboe.com

The Charles County school system (CCPS) is a public school system run by the publicly-elected Charles County Board of Education and is funded by Charles County, Maryland through taxpayer money allocated by the Charles County Board of Commissioners.

Located south of Washington, D.C., in Charles County, Maryland, CCPS is one of the fastest growing school systems in Maryland. The mission of CCPS is to provide an opportunity for all school-aged children to receive an academically challenging, quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares for life, in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.[5]

History

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Public education in Charles County started in the late 1860s with the construction of one-room school houses across the county.[6] These schools continued to be built until the 1920s, and were in use until the 1950s.[7][6] The Charles County Public School system was established in 1916.[1]

Schools in Charles County were segregated by race.[8] All-black schools in the county included the McConchie One-Room School (now an exhibit at the Charles County Fair[9]) and Pomonkey High School,[6][10] which later became Matthew Henson Middle School.[11] Pomonkey was the first and only high school for African Americans when the school district was segregated.[10] Schools were integrated in the 1960s after the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.[8] Racial tensions continued with student protests against racial injustice occurring at La Plata High School in 1969.[12]

Established in 1903, the first high school in the county was the McDonough Institute, the predecessor to Maurice J. McDonough High School.[13] The McDonough Institute closed in 1927 after the establishment of La Plata High School.[14]

Board of education

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An eight-member elected board of education serves the educational needs and interests of Charles County. The board is made up of 1 at-large member, 8 board members and 1 student member. The board establishes educational and fiscal policy, provides overall direction and governs Charles County Public Schools. Board members serve four-year terms. The Student Board member serves a one-year term, unless otherwise noted. The next election for all Board Members, as well as the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, is in November 2026, while the next election for the At-Large member is in November 2028.[15]

Following legislation passed in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Regular Session, the board of education will consist of 10 members following the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election. The school board will have 1 at-large member, 2 members from each commissioner district (8 total), and 1 voting student member. The student member gained a vote in all matters except capital and operating budgets, personnel decisions, and a few other minor exclusions. The legislation also restricted board members to serving no more than 3 consecutive terms.[16]

Name Seat Elected

(most recently)

Term ends Length of service Notes
Nicole Kreamer* Chairperson November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[17] Elected to Chairperson position in January 2026.[18]
Samiche Thomas** Vice Chairperson October 2023 December 2026 1st Term[17] Chosen by the board to replace Cindy Coulby, who resigned from her position in January 2023.[19] Of no relation to Brenda Thomas. Elected to Vice Chairperson position in January 2026.[18]
Letonya Smalls, Ed.D At-Large November 2024 December 2028 1st Term[17]
Tajala Battle-Lockhart Board Member November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[17]
Dottery Butler-Washington Board Member November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[20]
David Hancock Board Member November 2022 December 2026 2nd Term[17] Hancock has announced that he will not seek re-election, but will serve out the remainder of his term.
Jamila Smith Board Member November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[17]
Brenda Thomas Board Member November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[17] Of no relation to Samiche Thomas.
Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq. Board Member November 2022 December 2026 1st Term[17]
Bridgette Patterson Board Member October 2025 December 2026 1st Term Filling a vacant seat formerly held by Linda Warren of Commissioner District 4,[21] who resigned on August 1st, 2025.[22][23]
Munachi Obinali Student Member June 2025 June 2026 1st Term[24]

* denotes Chairman of Board of Education.

** denotes Vice Chairman of Board of Education.

Student Member of the Board

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The Charles County Board of Education is one of few Boards of Education in the nation to have a voting Student Board member.[25] The Student Member of the board has a vote on all matters except capital and operating budgets, personnel decisions, and a few other minor exclusions.[26]

Student Members of the Charles County Board of Education[26]
Name School Term Number Comments
Benjamin Young La Plata High School[27] 1994-95 1st
Tia Gripper[28] Westlake High School 1995-96 2nd
Danny Alley Not Listed 1996-97 3rd
Desire Voinche[29] Not Listed 1997-98 4th
Jasmine Hyejung Yoon[30] Westlake High School 1998-99 5th
Aaron Merki[31] McDonough High School 1999-00 6th
Avery Posey, Jr.[32] Lackey High School 2000-01 7th
Lindsey Adkisson[33] La Plata High School 2001-03 8th and 9th Served 2 terms.[34]
Smiti Nathan[35] Thomas Stone High School 2003-04 10th
C. J. Caniglia Thomas Stone High School 2004-05 11th
Brian Frazee Thomas Stone High School 2005-06 12th
Andrew Van Woerkom Westlake High School 2006-07 13th
Ashin Shah Thomas Stone High School 2007-08 14th
Diane Berringer McDonough High School 2008-09 15th
Kyle Grusholt McDonough High School 2009-10 16th
Emmanuel Bakare Thomas Stone High School 2010-11 17th
Taylor Brooks Westlake High School 2011-12 18th
Azeezat Adeleke North Point High School 2012-13 19th
Amit Patel McDonough High School 2013-14 20th
Georgia Benson Westlake High School 2014-15 21st
Pearson Benson Westlake High School 2015-16 22nd Brother of Georgia Benson.[26]
Da'Juon Washington North Point High School 2016-17 23rd
Drew Carter St. Charles High School 2017-18 24th 1st Student member from St. Charles High School.
Krisha Patel Westlake High School 2018-19 25th
DeJuan Woods Thomas Stone High School 2019-20 26th
Ian Herd La Plata High School 2020-22 27th* 1st voting Student member; served 2 terms.
Amira Abujuma North Point High School 2022-23 28th
Treasure Perkins Thomas Stone High School 2023-24 29th
Sam Virk North Point High School 2024-25 30th
Munachi Obinali[24] La Plata High School 2025-26 31st

* While Lindsey Adkisson's two terms were counted separately, Ian Herd's were counted together.

Schools

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High schools

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Middle schools

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Elementary schools

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  • C. Paul Barnhart (Waldorf)
  • Berry (Waldorf)
  • Billingsley (White Plains)
  • Dr. Gustavus Brown (Waldorf)
  • Dr. James Craik (Pomfret)
  • William A. Diggs (Waldorf)
  • Gale-Bailey (Marbury)
  • Dr. Thomas L. Higdon (Newburg)
  • Indian Head (Indian Head)
  • Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (Waldorf)
  • Malcolm (Malcolm)
  • T.C. Martin (Bryantown)
  • Mary H. Matula (La Plata)
  • Arthur Middleton (Waldorf)
  • Walter J. Mitchell (La Plata)
  • Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy (Nanjemoy)
  • Dr. Samuel A. Mudd (Waldorf)
  • Mary Burgess Neal (Waldorf)
  • J.C. Parks (Pomonkey)
  • J.P. Ryon (Waldorf)
  • Margaret J. Thornton (White Plains)
  • Eva Turner (St. Charles)
  • William B. Wade (Waldorf)

Charter schools

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  • Phoenix International School of the Arts (La Plata)[a][b]

Other

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  • Special Education Department, Assistive Technology Center
  • Adult Education Services, External Diploma Program, Adult Services Center
  • Early Learning Center[39]
  • F.B. Gwynn Educational Center
  • Judy Center[39]
  • Adult Education Services, Lifelong Learning Center
  • Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center
  • Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
  • James E. Richmond Science Center

Notes

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  1. ^ As a charter school, PISOTA is autonomous but is a part of the Charles County Public Schools system, receives public funding, and is overseen by the Charles County Board of Education.[37]
  2. ^ PISOTA serves grades 6 - 8 as a middle school.[38]

References

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  1. ^ a b Releases, Charles County Public Schools Press (February 17, 2016). "Board celebrates 100 days of school, 100 years of service". Charles County Public Schools. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Public Info / Media - Charles County Public Schools". www.ccboe.com. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "About us — Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD". MontgomerySchoolsMD.org. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  4. ^ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Charles County Public Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  5. ^ 'Charles County Board of Education' Archived September 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "The Historic McConchie One-Room School at Charles County Fairgrounds". Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  7. ^ "Port Tobacco One-Room Schoolhouse". Charles County Public Schools. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Report on SCHOOL DESEGREGATION in 14 EASTERN SHORE AND SOUTHERN MARYLAND COUNTIES" (PDF). University of Maryland Baltimore. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  9. ^ "McConchie School". The Charles County Fair. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  10. ^ a b Jennings, Jessica (June 12, 2025). "Charles County Commissioners Back Preservation Grant For Historic Pomonkey High School". The Bay Net. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  11. ^ "Our School". Matthew Henson Middle School. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  12. ^ Ramirez, Stephanie (June 10, 2021). "La Plata High School 'champions of civil rights' celebrate graduation over 5 decades later". Fox 5. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  13. ^ "CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND". Maryland Manual On-Line. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  14. ^ "Our School". Maurice J. McDonough High School. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  15. ^ "Board of Education - Charles County Public Schools". www.ccboe.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  16. ^ "Maryland SB749 | 2021 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Member Profiles - Charles County Public Schools". www.ccboe.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Board of Education of Charles County elects Kreamer, Thomas to leadership roles". www.ccboe.com. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  19. ^ "Coulby resigns, Board to develop application process for vacancy". www.ccboe.com. January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  20. ^ "Election Profiles - Jennifer S. Abell - Charles County Board of Education (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  21. ^ Navarro, Maria V. (September 26, 2025). "UPDATE: Charles County Board of Education Releases Further Information in Appointing Bridgette Patterson for District 4 Vacancy". Southern Maryland News Net. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  22. ^ "Board Member Vacancy 2025". Charles County Public Schools. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  23. ^ "Board announces resignation of District 4 Member Linda Warren". Charles County Public Schools. July 14, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "La Plata High School sophomore elected as 2025-2026 Student Board Member". Charles County Public Schools. May 8, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  25. ^ Sawchuk, Stephen (June 12, 2019). "Few Student Board Members Can Vote. Should That Change?". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c "BoardDocs® Pro". go.boarddocs.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "Who's Coming?". LPHS '95 Reunion. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  28. ^ Gripper, Tia (2022). "LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  29. ^ "Charles County Association of Student Councils". Archived from the original on December 22, 1997. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  30. ^ "Charles County Public Schools - Info". Archived from the original on May 1, 1999. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  31. ^ "Charles County Public Schools - Info". August 30, 2000. Archived from the original on August 30, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  32. ^ "Charles County Public Schools - Info". February 4, 2001. Archived from the original on February 4, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  33. ^ "Charles County Public Schools - Info". April 9, 2003. Archived from the original on April 9, 2003. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  34. ^ "Charles County Public Schools - Info". April 8, 2002. Archived from the original on April 8, 2002. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  35. ^ "CCPS - Board of Education - Profiles". June 5, 2004. Archived from the original on June 5, 2004. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  36. ^ "Board approves new name for General Smallwood Middle School, change effective July 1". Charles County Public Schools. April 29, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  37. ^ "Enrollment application open for PISOTA, Dec. 5 information session planned". Charles County Public Schools. November 21, 2024. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "Phoenix International School of the Arts". Maryland State Department of Education. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Centers". Charles County Public Schools. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
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