The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Waldorf, Maryland, part of the Charles County Public Schools system. It is one of a number of elementary schools in a rapidly growing suburban area that functions largely as a bedroom community for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Waldorf itself is an unincorporated census-designated place with no downtown core, shaped by highway-oriented strip development, the large St. Charles planned community, and a population that has grown dramatically over recent decades as families have moved outward from the capital region.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and smaller shares of white, Asian, and multiracial students. A sizable majority of students come from households with incomes low enough to qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share that is well above what many area schools see. This economic context often correlates with additional challenges and supports, and families moving into the attendance zone will want to understand what resources are available.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that overall proficiency rates are low across tested subjects and grades. In English language arts, the share of students scoring at the proficient level or above varied by grade, with fourth grade reaching the highest point among the three tested grades, while third and fifth grades were lower. In mathematics, the rates declined from third to fifth grade, with each grade at a level that is a soft spot relative to state averages. Fifth-grade science results were also low. Only a single year of comparable data is available, so no trend can be assessed. These are the numbers a parent would want to discuss directly with the school to understand what instructional approaches, interventions, or targeted supports are in place. The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and the data does not include information about special education identification, English learner status, or disciplinary incidents, so a parent may wish to ask about those areas directly.
Waldorf remains an attractive option for many families seeking relative affordability within commuting distance of Washington, D.C. Housing values in the area have been near the national median but recently showed a slight decline, and rents are moderate for the broader metro region. The community is heavily car-dependent, with commuter bus routes to D.C. and several park-and-ride lots. A major transit expansion is in planning. The area has seen sustained population growth fueled by the St. Charles development, and the school district did not report any major recent changes that would directly affect elementary families.
For a parent considering this school, the picture is straightforward. Jenifer Elementary serves a diverse, economically varied student population in a fast-growing outer suburb. The academic proficiency numbers are below where many families would hope, particularly in math and science, and a careful conversation with the principal or a visit to see how classroom instruction and intervention programs operate would be wise. The school’s size is moderate for an elementary, and its regular public school designation means it follows the standard county curriculum and services. Families who value a strong sense of community and are prepared to be engaged in supporting academic growth may find a good fit. Those prioritizing higher test scores or more extensive enrichment programming at the elementary level may want to compare options.
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