PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is proud to announce that four schools have been awarded PreK Accreditation by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in 2026, recognizing the district’s commitment to providing high-quality learning environments for Calvert County’s youngest students.
The following CCPS schools received MSDE PreK Accreditation in 2026:
Michelle Ward, CCPS Supervisor of Early Childhood, emphasized the significance of the recognition and the dedication of educators across the district.
“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 for early childhood, established in the 1990s, provides a framework for licensed childcare centers and public pre-kindergarten programs to show their commitment to high-quality learning. Programs that achieve accreditation demonstrate effective instruction, supportive learning environments, and continuous program improvement.
The recognition also aligns with the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which emphasizes both expanding access to prekindergarten and strengthening the quality of early learning programs across the state. The Blueprint recognizes that high-quality early childhood education plays a critical role in supporting children’s development and long-term success.
In addition to earning PreK Accreditation, Barstow Elementary, Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, and Sunderland Elementary also achieved a Level 5 rating in Maryland EXCELS in 2026, the highest level in the state’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs.
Maryland EXCELS (Excellence Counts in Early Learning and School-Age Care) rates licensed childcare and early education programs on a scale from Level 1 to Level 5, with Level 5 representing the highest level of quality. Programs at this level demonstrate exemplary practices that exceed licensing requirements, including earning Accreditation, and align with nationally recognized standards.
To achieve Level 5, programs must show strong performance across key areas including curriculum and instruction, child assessment, family engagement, health and safety, and program administration. They must also demonstrate advanced staff qualifications, ongoing professional learning, and the use of data — including child outcomes and family feedback — to support continuous program improvement.
About CCPS
Calvert County Public Schools is a top-performing school district in Maryland and serves approximately 15,000 students throughout Calvert County. The school district is composed of 12 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, the Career & Technology Academy, and the Calvert Country School. All CCPS schools are certified Maryland Green Schools. For more information, visit the district’s website at calvertnet.k12.md.us.