Berry Elementary School

10155 Berry Road

Waldorf, MD 20603

School District

Charles County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
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 May 17, 2024

Since registration this school has been difficult. They don’t want you at the school and they only want to communicate via email. Disregard to help my son even with a 504 plan they have.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2022

Worst elementary school . I’m writing a review everywhere for this school . That office staff is the nastiest people I ever met , including the nurse . How can you have a attitude like that and work with young kids . !
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2021

We just moved to the area and the registration secretary was very unwelcoming, dismissive and rude. Honestly seems as if she hates her job and answering phones or any questions for that matter. I download all the documents from the website. I wanted to see if they would allow us to tour the school and give us a bit of information on their covid response that wasn’t one the website. I couldn’t even get to that because she cut me off and said no and due to covid. When I explained we aren’t familiar with the school it didn’t matter and especially with covid it won’t happen was her response. I told her that makes no sense ma’am. Her response was well that’s how it is. She told me about some parent night that may or may not happen as well due to covid. Her tone and attitude towards my questions were off putting. As for first impressions school is awful. I decided to just drive by and see the campus from the outside. The building and play ground looks run down and hasn’t been well maintained; I assume since the school was opened and the play ground is questionable and rusty. As a military family moving is hard enough not to mention a cross country move. Avoid this place if you can the school is 6, testing is below average and due to covid resources are limited.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2020

Not a good school or school system. Marginal teachers. Massive problem with racism among parents. When you raised complaints or problems, they say things like "I'm sorry you feel that way". I don't want to be coddled or told no one has every had a problem with that before. How many complaints are required before something is done?
Submitted by other on May 25, 2017

not a good school, over crowding. curriculum not great, teachers not interested in helping child in school to understand the problem.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2016

My two children attend Berry and I am very pleased with the progress my have made each year. Specifically, Mrs. Amore and Mrs. Higgs make for a dynamic duo to not only gain their kids' attention but successfuly push them to reach their potential. In addition, when needed, they've been exemplary in providing more guidance and attention when a child needs it. I would like to see more technology infused in each class, foreign languages, and band introduced in earlier grades.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2015

This school has far too many teachers who use unprofessional practices with the students all the way down to kindergarten ranging from sarcasm, to silent lunch, to taking away recess for small things. Don't be fooled by the "we only ask students to be silent for the last five minutes of lunch". They send students to the end of the lunch line for talking while they are waiting to go through and they make an entire table be quiet before allowing them to get in line to get their lunch instead of having a system of dismissing tables to get in line. Recess is taken away at the drop of a hat even though the school system policy is that recess should not be taken away. Do your homework before moving to a home that is in this school district. These teachers need some real training in behavior management practices.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2015

The perfect example how these rating numbers don't mean much. Five sounds pretty bad to me but don't think this school is that bad. Perhaps they care about children more then the test scores. My son attended Berry from K-4 and I didn't realize how great this school was until we moved to one of the best school district in Fort Worth, Texas and he was bored for years, had no homework, had no science teacher, not even science fair or art contest in which he excelled in Berry. Berry tested and placed him in advanced math without us even asking. We did have one not so good teacher but all the others were excellent. The only bad thing I can say was that 4th grade had to be in trailer not in classroom due to the lack of classrooms in the building but this was two years ago so they might found a better solution. I would recommend this school to anyone who cares about their children's education.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2015

Berry is a good public elementary school. My daughter came to the school in second grade and she has had great teachers every year except for one year (and that was because of teacher turnover that year). Berry offers accelerated math and reading courses to their advanced students. The accelerated classes are similar to being in GT and from what I've been told the students will stay on that accelerated track in middle school as long as they perform well. Berry has a ton a extra-curricular activities for the students, great admin staff and and a very active PTA. All in all, my family is very pleased with the school. My daughter comes home happy every day. My son will be beginning kindergarten in the fall at Berry and we are hoping for a positive experience for him as well.
Submitted by other on March 14, 2015

Berry is such a fun school. The environment is uplifting and the students are learning new exciting stuff every day. The staff members are so nice and know how to make the school work.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

Berry elementary is a very good school. The faculty is very involved in the kids. I have a 5 and 8 yrs and they love the school.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2013

My daughter has been at berry since she was in prek. We are quite pleased with her development. She is a fourth grader reading at a sixth grade level. I attribute that to the teachers and attention they have given her ..we are quite pleased with the direction they are going.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2013

Teachers are very attentive to the students academia needs and there is great parent involvement.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2013

I LOVE BERRY! My children have attended Berry Elementary since first grade. Her father and I have been very happy with their education. Our oldest was VERY prepared for middle school. The teachers are extremely dedicated and willing to work with students until they understand whatever it is they are struggling to learn. It's been my experience that most Berry teachers truly care about the whole child and even bond with them. My oldest still keeps in touch with her first grade teacher! Berry is a PBIS school and they work to bring positive rewards to reinforce positive behavior. However, I believe in discipline as that's how real life works. If it's silent time in the cafeteria, then students should follow the rules; there must be a reason for quiet time or there wouldn't be one. My children have plenty of opportunities for socializing outside of school. That's MY job as their parent. In my opinion, school is for academics. I trust the teachers' insight and knowledge and always ask "What else can I do to help my child?" I allow the Berry staff to do their job as they are the professionals. I have nothing but ultimate respect for them; I can't thank them enough!