William B. Wade Elementary School

2300 Smallwood Drive West

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 November 02, 2022

worst school they never belive anybody dont come
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2022

This was my daughter's first year and we like William B. Wade. Prior to the semester of 2021-2022, I scheduled a meeting with the principal for a tour of the school and a meet and greet. This allowed me and my husband to meet the principal and inform him that we are a united front as it comes to my daughter's education and school issues. This meeting allowed open communication between all parties. My daughter was engaged with learning and excelled. Her teacher was fantastic and engaged the students with interesting ways to learn and understand concepts and we loved her. My daughter had a great year and we are looking forward to a new exciting year.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

Great teachers they care about the students
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2018

The experience has been horrible and if this is a sign of anything to come we dread future Charles County Schools.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2016

When we first arrived to the area in 2004 the school was rate a 9 then over the course of 10 years it dropped to a 6 or 5. Most of the teachers are good, but a few concentrate too much on being a psychologist. They believe kids in 1st and 2nd grade should be still all the time or be evaluated. The only other issues we and other parents have is with their policy, which has the teachers speak to parents about their child's behavior or other concerns as the child is being released from school at the end of the day. This is not the proper atmosphere to address it, because other parents can hear. I think teachers enjoy seeing this hoping the parent would be embarrassed. Teachers should e-mail parents regarding any concerns or events that takes place or save it for a conference. We're glad we're no longer there. Our new school does nothing of the sort. All concerns are resolved and are confidential. I hope Wade has or will soon eliminate the practice of speaking with parents during child pick up. Totally uncalled for.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2014

My child and family love William B. Wade Elementary. The moment you walk in the door you are greeted by the most caring and attentive office staff. You can tell how much they care for the safety of our children every time you visit. Principal Nye has made some changes that greatly enhance safety at the school. My daughter often states how much she likes Ms. nye and points out how involved she is in the classroom and how she compliments children when they are making good choices. The staff at Wade are top notch!
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2014

This is my child's first year attending Wade. My first encounter with anyone at this school was rude condescending office staff. As a new family transferring, this school has been uncaring and uninterested in assisting with a smooth transition. Perhaps a New Student packet with useful information would be beneficial, since there are several unwritten policies that seem to make up the culture of the school. I've asked for specific information and have been given the run around on several occasions. Most recently, I asked for a list of before and after care providers servicing the school. I was told to ride around Waldorf and look for signs at businesses because that information cannot be given out. If the school allows these businesses to pick up students from school property on a daily basis, surely they can provide that information when asked by a parent. I've asked for the dates of upcoming events such as PTA and open house and was told to watch the marquee outside the school. The main reason I moved to Charles County was due to the reputation of the school system. However, this experience has been extremely disappointing to say the least.
Submitted by other on June 16, 2014

With the new principle coming in the school will be the best ms. Penny nye will change the school all the way around just like craik
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

As a military family it is not uncommon to end up moving mid-school year as with the case this year we moved here mid year. We were not given any guidance as to school policy, protocol, and were not shown around the school. Our sons teacher has been a horrible experience for my family. No communication at all, takes weeks to hear back from anyone except the schools counselor who was wonderful and tried to help us as best he could. My child was kicked in the face and I was not notified by the school until 9 days later! This is unacceptable, the staff is not trained on how to deal with the needs of military children. Along with behavior expectation that far surpass normal or even advanced standards, my son was constantly in trouble for doing things kids do. We will be transferring him out of this school.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2013

- We moved to NCR because of a job transfer and picked the community served by William B. Wade because of high marks from many sources. -- The experience has not been the same as expected. - I was disappointed to find that the county strictly limits parents ability to participate or even observe the "goings-on" at the school. -- They require that any observation of the classroom be by appointment only and only twice per quarter. -- The county does not allow parents to be teacher aides. -- The ability to visit the children at lunch is strictly limited to certain days. - Test scores have dropped dramatically over the past year even though they spend a week before each test cramming. - It is very difficult to get specific feedback from the teacher about the progress of my child. Like pulling teeth. - So much empahsis is placed on the children's social development that they are willing to hold a child back that meets standards academically but not willing to put that in writing on a report card and make it part of the feedback system. - The feeling I get is that the new principal is getting the wool pulled over her eyes by the teachers/staff who seem to be pikers.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2013

We are a miltary family and transisiton end mid year. Both is and my in laws find the office staff were rude and distant and uncaring. She had to learn a new style of schooling as it was so different from old school. They are caught up on age though she is meeting standards for her grade. They have no real issues. My child has been bullied and hit, with no real care from the school. I regret buying here as the school is not to par with what you would expect by these reviews on here. This school and even school district discourages parent involvement.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2012

This school is great! My son has attended Wade since pre-k, he is now in 2nd grade and is reading at a 3rd grade level! Wade teaches the children much differently than any other school in the county which promotes kids to excell in academics in the long run, which is why some parents that transfer their kids find it difficult for their kids to transittion. It is a much different teaching/learing method. I run a daycare and every child that has attended Wade is above grade level reading and math.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2011

I recently moved to Prince William County, and the one thing that both my 9 year old and I miss about Charles County is Wade Elementary. Teachers, office staff and administration were awesome in helping my son be successful at Wade. Thank you Ms. Bliss, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Coffey and many others who were instrumental in making sure that my son was on track at all times.