Summary:
Cordova, Maryland, is home to a single public school, Chapel District Elementary, a small rural school serving grades PK through 5 with 359 students. This school is a standout academic performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 21% of all elementary schools in Maryland for three consecutive years. Its proficiency rates in both Mathematics (51.9%) and English Language Arts (69.1%) are dramatically higher than the Talbot County Public Schools district averages (20.7% and 46.8%, respectively) and the state averages, making it a clear "bright spot" within a district that ranks in the bottom half of Maryland.
Key metrics reveal a school that is both effective and improving. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1 and spending of $18,349 per student, the school provides a supportive learning environment. Despite 40% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school achieves results far above state averages, demonstrating its ability to overcome socioeconomic barriers. Chronic absenteeism is notably low at 19.5%, compared to the district's 25.2%, and academic proficiency has improved year-over-year, with Math rising from 50.3% to 51.9% and ELA from 64.8% to 69.1% between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
Interesting trends include an inverted "3rd grade slump," where ELA proficiency remains high and stable through 3rd and 4th grades (around 71%), though Math proficiency declines from 60.5% in 3rd grade to 36.5% in 5th grade, suggesting a potential area for curriculum focus. Additionally, 5th-grade Science proficiency (40.4%), while still above district and state averages, is a relative weakness compared to the school's stellar Math and ELA scores. Overall, Chapel District Elementary is a high-performing, improving school that offers an exceptional education for Cordova families.
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