Four Calvert County Public Schools have earned Maryland State Department of Education PreK Accreditation in 2026, marking a key milestone in delivering high-quality early childhood education to young learners in Southern Maryland.
The accredited schools are Barstow Elementary, Calvert Elementary, Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, and Sunderland Elementary, all part of Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) based in Prince Frederick, Md. This recognition highlights the district’s focus on developmentally appropriate, engaging instruction that supports children’s growth and aligns with state priorities for early learning excellence.
Michelle Ward, CCPS Supervisor of Early Childhood, stated: “Achieving Maryland Accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the developmentally appropriate, playful, and engaging instruction happening every day in CCPS classrooms. This accomplishment reflects our educators’ deep commitment to nurturing young learners and creating environments where children thrive. It also demonstrates our dedication to continuous improvement as we work together to ensure high-quality early childhood experiences for every child and family we serve.”
Maryland Accreditation, in place since the 1990s, serves as a voluntary framework for licensed childcare centers and public pre-kindergarten programs to demonstrate commitment to quality. Accredited programs show strong performance in effective instruction, supportive learning environments, and ongoing improvement efforts.
The accreditation ties directly to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a statewide education reform initiative that prioritizes expanding prekindergarten access while elevating program quality. High-quality early education is viewed as essential for children’s developmental progress and long-term academic and life success.
Adding to the achievement, Barstow Elementary, Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, and Sunderland Elementary also secured the top Level 5 rating in Maryland EXCELS during 2026. Maryland EXCELS (Excellence Counts in Early Learning and School-Age Care) is the state’s quality rating and improvement system, scoring programs from Level 1 to Level 5. Level 5 indicates exemplary practices that surpass basic licensing standards, often including accreditation and alignment with national benchmarks.
To reach Level 5, programs must excel in multiple domains: curriculum and instruction, child assessment, family engagement, health and safety, and program administration. They also require advanced staff qualifications, sustained professional development, and data-driven approaches that incorporate child outcomes and family input to guide enhancements.
These recognitions underscore CCPS’s investment in early childhood programs, which serve as a foundation for students across Calvert County. The district’s prekindergarten efforts support families by providing structured, play-based learning that prepares children for kindergarten and beyond.
The announcement reinforces Calvert County’s standing in Southern Maryland for prioritizing early education quality amid broader state goals. Families seeking prekindergarten options can explore CCPS programs through the district’s registration processes, with applications for the 2026-27 school year already noted as open in related district communications.