Mary Matula Elementary School

6025 Radio Station Road

La Plata, MD 20646

School District

Charles County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Charles County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 10, 2022

Seems to be the same as below reviews from 2017. Principal, Richardson, & secretary rude. Principal disengaged. I've also heard this from many other parents. No diversity in staff at all but the student demographic is diverse. Too many cliques between the teachers & teachers/parents who grew up in the area. Times have changed & this school administration needs to do the same, starting with the principal. The teachers I've experienced have been ok. Have heard stories of other teachers yelling at students. I understand stern when needed but not yelling!
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2020

As a parent of a first grader I have noticed a drastic change with the rezoning. Class sizes are very small and the issues the school had before are gone. Mrs. Richardson is a experienced, kind and dedicated principal. The teachers are experienced and my son is thriving.
Submitted by teacher on October 24, 2019

My experience was horrible and traumatic. I'm actually thinking of filing an age discrimination suit against the school just
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2018

Highly satisfied with Matula. PTA activities are fun yet educational. Great science and math options.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2017

Negative - this school is terrible. The county has restructured the district and I am elated because the new school has far better reviews! The staff in the office is horrible, especially the secretary and the principal. They push the 3 R's on the kids and refuse to follow it themselves. It's horrible that they make us parents feel more like a threat than an ally. I was truly looking forward to being very active in the classroom with my children and the school will not even allow you to do something as simple as walking your children into the classroom on the first day. You ask to view the learning environment and they limit you to a short visit on their terms only. I have always believed that everything starts from the top and Carrie Richardson here is definitely the problem. The school needs an overhaul, and if the county starts with the principal I'm sure about 75% of the problems will be solved. You can not have effective, positive results out of young children that you treat like widgets instead of living, breathing people who are in need of nurturing and care. It truly takes a village and I am truly grateful that this school will no longer be apart of it after this year. There needs to be more diversity in gender and race for the staff here and that may also help solve a good percentage of the problems.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2017

The Administration at this school, as well as the front office staff, leave little to be desired. None of them seem to want to be there. The principal is disengaged and doesn't seem to care or want to talk to parents or students. The teachers are ok. Not many PTO or activities for the kids.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2017

Matula is the worst school that my family has experienced. The administration is not attentive and there is no fun at this school. Elementary school is the time for school to be fun and it should have activities that involve the whole family. Matula is a very dry, sterile place. The teachers are cold and uncaring and there is no innovation teaching styles. Technology is underutilized.
Submitted by other on January 14, 2016

Very unfriendly office staff and administration. There are limited opportunities for parental involvement. There is no PTO and halfway into the school year there have been no requests from the school to get one started. Matula is severely lacking in fun. There are no class parties, dances or family fun events. Academically, the school is average. We will make sure that our child does not attend this school next year. It has not been a pleasant experience.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2013

I have four kids who have attended Matula since 2003. I'm a very picky mom when it comes to my kids' education, and I have never had any problems whatsoever! I currently have three there and I am thrilled with the staff and PTO. The PTO president works tirelessly to get parents involved. I'm one of the parent volunteers at school and find it a very rewarding experience and a great place to meet many other wonderful moms!!
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2012

I am new to the school and so far I am fairly pleased. There is another principal and vice-principal there now from what has been said in the past reviews. I do not know why there was a change of principle and vice-principal? There is a big lack of support for the PTO in this school. The lack of support from the parents is very disappointing for the parents who are trying to give support towards their children. When you have 450 plus students in the school and barely 25 parents show up to PTO meetings...that is sad. This school needs more support! The school's exterior and signage needs updating. So far this is an average school with potential if the parents would participate more in their child's school lives.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2007

An amazing school with an amazing staff, the teachers are awesome! This school is one of the best I've encountered with all my travel's throughout the world including DOD school system. I am thankful this school was recommended to us.