Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will implement a moratorium for three specific address blocks in the current attendance zone for Margaret J. Thornton Elementary School. The moratorium takes effect June 17, 2026, and impacts any new students enrolling in CCPS on or after this date for the 2026-2027 school year. 

The moratorium was approved by Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., after an analysis of student enrollment at Thornton was completed. Attendance at Thornton currently sits at 792 students, which exceeds the building’s state-rated capacity of 778 students. Additionally, CCPS anticipates growth in Block 2711, where Thornton is located, of 277 homes. Board of Education Policy 1900 permits CCPS to review enrollment data annually and adjust enrollment, as needed.

The moratorium remains in effect from June 17, 2026, through the end of the 2026-2027 school year. Impacted blocks include Block 2643, Block 2541 and Block 2552. Any students moving to these blocks on or after June 17, 2026, will either attend Dr. Gustavus Brown or Mary H. Matula elementary schools. 

Block 2643 is located in the Stonehaven and Gleneagles neighborhoods in White Plains. Students who move into Block 2643 after June 17 will attend Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School.  

Block 2552 is located in the new Ascend Pinegrove apartment complex located off Rosewick Road in La Plata.  Any new student moving into this block after June 17 will attend Mary H. Matula Elementary School. 

Block 2541 is located in the new Rosewick Apartments located at Rosewick Road near Rosewick Crossing (in the Aldi food store complex) in La Plata. Any new student moving into this block after June 17 will attend Mary H. Matula Elementary School.

View a map of the impacted blocks by visiting the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com. 

The moratorium will alleviate overcrowding at Thornton and also ensure that class sizes remain stable. CCPS will coordinate transportation to Dr. Brown or Matula for any new students moving into the three identified moratorium blocks.

Principals and staff at the impacted schools have been notified of the moratorium effective in June.  

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

 
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).