The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Waldorf, Maryland, as part of Charles County Public Schools. The school is classified as a regular public school. State testing data from the most recent year shows that across all tested grades, a little over a third of third graders met the proficiency bar in English language arts, with slightly lower rates in fourth and fifth grade. In math, about a third of third graders scored proficient, with the rate declining in fourth grade and dropping further in fifth grade. Fifth grade science results were considerably lower. The overall proficiency picture across subjects and grades is one where a parent would want to look into the school's approach to academic support and how the school is working to move these numbers. A multi-year trend was not available because only one year of data was reported for this test, so we cannot see whether this represents a change from prior years.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and a small share of White students alongside smaller groups of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native. More than seven out of ten students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which is a high share and an indicator that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the supports provided for them.
Waldorf itself is a large, unincorporated suburb located between Washington, D.C., and Southern Maryland. It has grown rapidly over the past several decades, with much of its residential development tied to the planned community of St. Charles. The area is auto-oriented, with a highway corridor lined with retail and car dealerships rather than a walkable downtown core. Many residents commute into the D.C. area for work in federal, professional services, and healthcare jobs. The local economy also includes service, sales, healthcare, and construction jobs. Public transportation exists through county bus service and commuter bus routes to D.C., and a rapid transit line to a Metro station is in the planning stages. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the broader Washington metro, with a recent slight decline in home values. The district itself, Charles County Public Schools, did not have any recent parent-relevant changes reported at the time of this writing.
Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary sits within this suburban context as a neighborhood school with a diverse student body and a high level of economic need. The test results point to a school where a family would want to understand the specific academic programs, interventions, and enrichment offerings in place, especially given the pattern of declining proficiency in later elementary grades in math. Because the school serves only elementary grades, no graduation rate or secondary program information applies. The school's website and the district office would be the next places to look for details on tutoring, specialist staffing, and any specialized programs. For a family weighing options in Charles County, this is a school where the community context and student demographics are clear, and the academic performance data invites further conversation with the school itself.
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