St. Mary's County Public Schools

The St. Mary's County Public Schools district in Maryland serves 26 schools, including three high schools, four middle schools, and 19 elementary schools, and is ranked 7th out of 25 districts in the state with a 4-star rating. The district performs above state averages in both math (36% vs. 27.1%) and English Language Arts (58.5% vs. 51.7%), but performance varies widely across schools, with standout stars like White Marsh Elementary achieving a 5-star rating and 93rd percentile ranking, while Lexington Park Elementary faces significant challenges with a 0-star rating and the lowest test scores in the district.

Among high schools, Leonardtown High leads with a 4-star rating and an exceptional 83.1% ELA proficiency rate, while Great Mills High struggles with the highest chronic absenteeism rate (39.7%) and lowest graduation rate (83.0%). Chopticon High shows a notable turnaround, jumping from a 2-star to a 4-star rating in recent years. In middle schools, Leonardtown Middle is the top performer with a 4-star rating and highest math (46.1%) and ELA (67.5%) proficiency, while Spring Ridge Middle and Margaret Brent Middle have elevated chronic absenteeism rates above 35%. Elementary schools like Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary and Evergreen Elementary School consistently rank high, while George Washington Carver Elementary and Green Holly Elementary School face significant hurdles with low proficiency rates.

Key takeaways include a strong correlation between socioeconomic factors and performance, with schools having higher free/reduced lunch rates generally showing lower test scores. The district's only charter school, Chesapeake Charter School, stands out as a high-performing K-8 option with a 79th percentile ranking and strong science and Algebra I scores. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern averaging 27.3%, and spending per student is highest at lower-performing schools, suggesting resources are being directed to address greater needs. Overall, parents will find a mix of excellent options like White Marsh and Leonardtown High, alongside schools that require targeted support, making school choice a critical factor in this district.