Summary:
In zip code 20602, there is one middle school, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Waldorf, Maryland, as part of the Charles County Public Schools district.
Benjamin Stoddert Middle School is a large school with 920 students, and it presents a picture of stark contrasts. The school has a notable strength in advanced math, with 43% of students proficient in Algebra I, far exceeding the district average of 10.6% and the state average of 21.3%. However, overall academic performance in core subjects is a significant concern. Proficiency rates for the 2025-2026 school year are low: just 10.5% in Mathematics and 36.3% in English Language Arts, both well below district and state averages. The school also faces a high chronic absenteeism rate of 29.2%, which is higher than the district average of 26.6% and likely contributes to the academic struggles. With 59.78% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, the school serves a predominantly low-income community.
Despite spending $15,552 per student, which is a substantial amount, the school's state ranking has been declining, dropping from the 29th percentile to the 15th percentile over the last three years. This combination of high spending, low test scores, and high absenteeism suggests that resources may not be effectively translating into improved outcomes for the majority of students. The school's success in Algebra I, contrasted with its poor performance in grade-level math, indicates a "two-tiered" system where a select group of students is accelerated while most struggle with foundational skills. For parents, this data highlights a school with a strong advanced program but significant challenges in core academics and attendance that need to be addressed.
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