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James M. Bennett High

Q: Is James M. Bennett High a good school?

James M. Bennett High ranks 147 th of 220 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

147^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 220 Maryland High Schools

Better than 33% of Maryland high schools

Summary

James M. Bennett High is a public high school in Salisbury, Maryland, serving 1,379 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Wicomico County Public Schools district, which is ranked 18 out of 25 districts in the state.

The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Maryland high schools, with academic performance significantly below the state and district averages on MCAP tests. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 7.1% of students at James M. Bennett High were proficient or better in MCAP Mathematics, compared to 23.6% in the Wicomico County district and 26.5% statewide. The school's graduation rate is on par with the district and state, but its dropout rate has been higher. Additionally, James M. Bennett High has had a high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 25.1% to 37.3% in recent years.

Interestingly, nearby schools like Pocomoke High and Snow Hill High, which are part of the Worcester County Public Schools district, have significantly higher academic performance and graduation rates compared to James M. Bennett High. Additionally, the school's relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch suggests that it serves a population with a lower socioeconomic status, which may contribute to the academic challenges faced by the school.

1,474

Students ?

15.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,555

Per pupil spending ?

54.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

300 E College Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21804

(410) 677-5141

District: Wicomico County Public Schools

Feeder schools for James M. Bennett High:

Elementary:	Fruitland Intermediate
	Fruitland Primary
	Pemberton Elementary
	Pinehurst Elementary
	More...
	Prince Street School
	Westside Intermediate
	Westside Primary
Middle:	Salisbury Middle

Racial breakdown:

African American:

36.8%

White:

35.0%

Hispanic:

15.7%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare James M. Bennett High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 31st percentile in 2013 → 33rd in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Maryland average (20% vs 37% meeting standards)

!Mathematics scores 19 pts below the Maryland average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school20%

District avg30%

Maryland avg37%

147^th of 220

Maryland public high schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 11 pts since 2015

From bottom 45% (2015) to bottom 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 4High Schools in the Wicomico County Public Schools

18^th of 25Wicomico County Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2025	26.3	147 of 220	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.6	126 of 146	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	36.6	121 of 225	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	24.7	118 of 138	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	27.6	137 of 197	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	34.3	113 of 180	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	45.7	127 of 233	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	48.2	129 of 233	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	65.1	118 of 231	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	37.6	128 of 185	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	25.5	147 of 187	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	19.3	156 of 183	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	46.7	150 of 220	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	46.1	145 of 213	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	51.5	136 of 214	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	48.9	118 of 209	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2006	50.9	110 of 204	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	55.2	81 of 204	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	43.5	112 of 201	44.3%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Maryland (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts46%-5 vs state

Algebra II36%+12 vs state

Geometry17%-10 vs state

Mathematics7%-19 vs state

Algebra I4%-18 vs state

3.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★0

4★2

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a student
Friday, January 24, 2020

They have all the bathrooms locked other than that its fine Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, October 3, 2015

My daughter graduated JMB 2010 and my son is currently a junior. As a parent, I believe JMB is a fantastic school. Despite the building improvements, the teachers, coaches, counselors and staff have always made the difference. They are always available and willing to help.

Students and many other parents seem to think the teachers are the sole contributors to the students' education. This is not true. Effort is required from all involved: parents/guardians, teachers, community and students.

We all need to work on this especially in our changing social environment. There is, was and unfortunately always will be drugs! Unlike when I was in high school, there now exists cell phones, internet, xbox and play station. These can be used in good and bad ways.

I believe there are many significant factors in the home. My kids have a home environment which is a rarity nowadays - both parents are present in the same house everyday. I prepare dinner and pack lunch. I'm definitely NOT a "Leave it to Beaver" mom, but I keep a clean home, do the shopping and cooking. I have my own business and my husband works full time. My kids may not act like they have any sense, but here's the important thing -

THEY ARE LISTENING AND WATCHING.

I try to set a good example. My home is not a perfect scenario, but I put forth the effort to make improvements. I don't particularly like packing lunch, walking the dogs, making the bed and exercising before 7:30 a.m.

I do these things for many reasons and one of those reasons is because my kids are LISTENING AND WATCHING.

All of us have room for improvement. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, October 21, 2014

If it wasnt state law for my child to attend, I would allow a drunk donkey teach him. he would learn more. Close Quote

Schools Near James M. Bennett High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MCAP Mathematics (2025)				MCAP English Language Arts (2025)					MCAP Algebra I (2025)	MCAP Algebra II (2025)	MCAP Geometry (2025)	MCAP Science (2025)	MCAP Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	MCAP Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James M. Bennett High	Public	9-12	300 E College Avenue	Salisbury	21804	Wicomico County	Wicomico County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 677-5141	1,474	95	15.5	54.3%	516 (35.0%)	543 (36.8%)	232 (15.7%)	64 (4.3%)	10 (0.7%)	5 (0.3%)	101 (6.9%)	26.3	147^th of 220 public high schools	33.2%		26.6	126^th of 146 public high schools	13.7%	21				7.1				46.2	46.2	3.7	36.4	17.3			$17,555	$1,437	$16,119
Parkside High	Public	9-12	1015 Beaglin Park Dr	Salisbury	21804	Wicomico County	Wicomico County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 677-5143	1,272	108	11.7	53.2%	574 (45.1%)	416 (32.7%)	148 (11.6%)	40 (3.1%)	12 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	80 (6.3%)	24.9	152^nd of 220 public high schools	30.9%		36.4	99^th of 146 public high schools	32.2%	53				8.1				43.7	43.7	3.1	26.7	19.7			$17,630	$1,377	$16,253
Wicomico County Evening High	Public	9-12	916 S. Schumaker Dr	Salisbury	21804	Wicomico County	Wicomico County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 677-4537	35	11	3.1	42.9%	17 (48.6%)	11 (31.4%)	5 (14.3%)	1 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.9%)								(n/a)															$30,127	$946	$29,181
Wicomico High	Public	9-12	201 Long Avenue	Salisbury	21804	Wicomico County	Wicomico County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 677-5146	1,304	92	14.1	66.4%	234 (17.9%)	656 (50.3%)	255 (19.6%)	34 (2.6%)	8 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	113 (8.7%)	17.6	183^rd of 220 public high schools	16.8%		15.9	138^th of 146 public high schools	5.5%	45				3.7				37.0	37.0	2.3		2.9			$17,924	$1,518	$16,407
Mardela Middle & High	Public	6-12	24940 Delmar Rd	Mardela Springs	21837	Wicomico County	Wicomico County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 677-5142	742	52	14.2	44.9%	553 (74.5%)	78 (10.5%)	42 (5.7%)	10 (1.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (7.5%)	52.6	66^th of 220 public high schools	70.0%		51.6	52^nd of 146 public high schools	64.4%	14	17.2	38.1	19.7	25.6	57.0	58.9	62.5	71.0	62.3	19.8		34.0	25.5	37.5	$18,754	$1,645	$17,109
Washington Academy and High School	Public	8-12	10902 Old Princess Anne Rd	Princess Anne	21853	Somerset County	Somerset County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 651-0480	619	44	14.2	76.9%	134 (21.6%)	369 (59.6%)	64 (10.3%)	12 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (6.3%)	21.3	163^rd of 220 public high schools	25.9%					(n/a)			1.7	2.8			22.8	40.9	32.7	3.9			13.6	19.3	$23,352	$3,753	$19,599
Worcester Technical High School	Public	9-12	6290 Worcester Hwy	Newark	21841	Worcester County	Worcester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 632-5050	0	26	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Snow Hill High	Public	9-12	305 S Church St	Snow Hill	21863	Worcester County	Worcester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 632-5270	368	32	11.5	54.3%	196 (53.3%)	98 (26.6%)	30 (8.2%)	5 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (10.1%)	52.7	64^th of 220 public high schools	70.9%		46.4	66^th of 146 public high schools	54.8%	2				20.3				69.4	69.4	18.8		36.4			$30,738	$2,953	$27,785
Somerset County Technical High School	Public	9-12	79894 Tawes Campus Road	Westover	21871	Somerset County	Somerset County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 651-2285	0	15	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Pocomoke High	Public	9-12	1817 Old Virginia Rd	Pocomoke City	21851	Worcester County	Worcester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 632-5180	374	33	11.3	67.1%	144 (38.5%)	174 (46.5%)	19 (5.1%)	8 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.8%)	37.3	116^th of 220 public high schools	47.3%		35.3	104^th of 146 public high schools	28.8%	12				17.9				51.2	51.2	14.4		50.0			$29,411	$2,721	$26,690

Frequently Asked Questions about James M. Bennett High

What is the racial makeup of James M. Bennett High?

Students at James M. Bennett High are 37% African American, 35% White, 16% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

What district is James M. Bennett High in?

Wicomico County Public Schools

How many students attend James M. Bennett High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,474 students attended James M. Bennett High.

What schools feed into James M. Bennett High?

James M. Bennett High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Fruitland Intermediate
Elementary : Fruitland Primary
Elementary : Pemberton Elementary
Elementary : Pinehurst Elementary
Elementary : Prince Street School
Elementary : Westside Intermediate
Elementary : Westside Primary
Middle : Salisbury Middle

Is James M. Bennett High a good school?

James M. Bennett High ranks 147^th of 220 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate James M. Bennett High!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.