Best Maryland Blue Ribbon Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 58 blue ribbon public preschools serving 26,634 students in Maryland.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Maryland are Ocean City Elementary School, Pinewood Elementary School and West Towson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Maryland blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Maryland public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 39% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Maryland public preschool average of 71% (majority Black).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Maryland (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ocean City Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
12828 Center Dr
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 632-5370
Gr: PK-4 | 566 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
200 Rickswood Rd
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 887-7663
Gr: PK-5 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #33.
West Towson Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
6916 North Charles Street
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3893
Gr: PK-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #44.
Bells Mill Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8225 Bells Mill Rd
Potomac, MD 20854
(240) 740-0480
Gr: PK-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #55.
Chapel Hill Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5200 E Joppa Rd
Perry Hall, MD 21128
(410) 887-5119
Gr: PK-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #66.
Worthington Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4570 Roundhill Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2825
Gr: PK-5 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
Stone Mill Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
14323 Stonebridge View Dr
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(240) 740-5450
Gr: PK-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Severna Park Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6 Riggs Ave
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 222-6577
Gr: PK-5 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Jacksonville Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3400 Hillendale Heights Rd
Phoenix, MD 21131
(410) 887-7880
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Pocomoke Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2119 Pocomoke Beltway
Pocomoke City, MD 21851
(410) 632-5130
Gr: PK-3 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
Woodfield Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
24200 Woodfield Rd
Gaithersburg, MD 20882
(240) 207-2550
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1212.
Rachel Carson Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
100 Tschiffely Square Rd
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(240) 740-1840
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
Piney Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6315 Freedom Avenue
Sykesville, MD 21784
(410) 751-3535
Gr: PK-5 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1414.
Centennial Lane Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3825 Centennial Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2800
Gr: PK-5 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1515.
Snow Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
515 Coulbourne Ln
Snow Hill, MD 21863
(410) 632-5210
Gr: PK-3 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1616.
Centerville Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3601 Carriage Hill Dr
Frederick, MD 21704
(227) 203-1780
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Urbana Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3554 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(227) 203-1220
Gr: PK-5 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1818.
Frost Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
260 Shaw St
Frostburg, MD 21532
(301) 689-5168
Gr: PK-5 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1919.
Luxmanor Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6201 Tilden Ln
Rockville, MD 20852
(240) 740-0820
Gr: PK-5 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2020.
Mount Harmony Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
900 W Mount Harmony Rd
Owings, MD 20736
(443) 550-9620
Gr: PK-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Matapeake Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
651 Romancoke Rd
Stevensville, MD 21666
(410) 643-3105
Gr: PK-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
New Market Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
93 W Main St
New Market, MD 21774
(227) 203-1460
Gr: PK-5 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2323.
Fountain Green Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
517 Fountain Green Rd
Bel Air, MD 21015
(410) 638-4220
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2424.
Showell Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11318 Showell School Rd
Berlin, MD 21811
(410) 632-5350
Gr: PK-4 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2525.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5940 Waterloo Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Gr: PK-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2626.
Hampstead Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3737 Shiloh Road
Hampstead, MD 21074
(410) 751-3420
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2727.
Summit Park Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6920 Diana Rd
Baltimore, MD 21209
(410) 887-1210
Gr: PK-5 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2828.
Cashell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
17101 Cashell Rd
Rockville, MD 20853
(240) 740-0560
Gr: PK-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2929.
Seventh District Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
20300 York Rd
Parkton, MD 21120
(443) 809-1902
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #3030.
North Harford Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
120 Pylesville Rd
Pylesville, MD 21132
(410) 638-3670
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3131.
Sunderland Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
150 Clyde Jones Rd
Sunderland, MD 20689
(443) 550-9390
Gr: PK-5 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #3232.
Dr. Ronald E. Mcnair Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
13881 Hopkins Rd
Germantown, MD 20874
(240) 740-6830
Gr: PK-5 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #3333.
Church Hill Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
631 Main St
Church Hill, MD 21623
(410) 556-6681
Gr: PK-4 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Bel Air Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
14401 Barton Blvd
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 729-2992
Gr: PK-5 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Cash Valley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10601 Cash Valley Rd Nw
Cumberland, MD 21502
(301) 724-6632
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Show 23 more public schools in Maryland (out of 58 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Maryland?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Maryland include Ocean City Elementary School, Pinewood Elementary School and West Towson Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Maryland?
58 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Maryland.
What is the racial composition of students in Maryland?
Maryland blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Maryland public preschools average of 71% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.