Summary:
The Somerset County Public Schools district in Maryland serves 7 schools—4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools—and is ranked 23rd out of 25 districts in the state, facing significant academic challenges but also showcasing notable bright spots.
Two schools stand out for different reasons. Deal Island School (PK-5) is the district's top performer, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide, with 55.8% ELA proficiency and 34.6% math proficiency—well above district averages. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (28.4%) and the lowest economic disadvantage rate (52.14% free/reduced lunch), suggesting strong school culture and community engagement drive its success. In contrast, Crisfield Academy and High School (8-12) is a turnaround story, jumping from the 16th percentile (1-star) in 2023-2024 to the 54th percentile (3-star) in 2025-2026, with the district's highest graduation rate (88.8%) and lowest dropout rate (6.3%). Its 10th-grade ELA proficiency (62%) even exceeds the state average (59.7%). Meanwhile, Washington Academy and High School struggles with a 1-star rating, a 16.9% dropout rate, and 80.5% graduation rate, highlighting a stark contrast between the two high schools.
Key district-wide issues include a math proficiency crisis—only 12.1% of students are proficient in math versus 27.1% statewide—and chronic absenteeism averaging 33.7%, with Carter G. Woodson Elementary at 39.2% and Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School at 37%. Per-student spending ranges from $21,434 at Greenwood Elementary School to $27,816 at Crisfield Academy, but spending doesn't correlate with success—Deal Island excels with lower spending. The data suggests that improving attendance and engagement may be more effective than simply increasing funding, and Deal Island's model offers a blueprint for the district's improvement.
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