Summary:
In zip code 20603 of Waldorf, Maryland, there are two public middle schools serving grades 6-8, both part of the Charles County Public Schools district: Theodore G. Davis Middle School and Mattawoman Middle School.
Theodore G. Davis Middle School is the standout school in this area, consistently outperforming its counterpart across nearly all academic metrics. Davis holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 59th percentile statewide, while Mattawoman has a 2-star rating and ranks in the 35th percentile. The most striking difference is in advanced math: Davis's Algebra I proficiency rate of 54.2% is more than double Mattawoman's 23.3% and far exceeds the state average of 21.3%. Davis also excels in English Language Arts, with 56.6% of students proficient compared to Mattawoman's 41.1% and the state average of 51.7%. Interestingly, Mattawoman spends $367 more per student ($15,536 vs. $15,169) yet has worse academic outcomes, a higher student-teacher ratio (17.5:1 vs. 15.3:1), and a higher chronic absenteeism rate (22.0% vs. 18.0%).
Both schools face challenges in 8th grade science, with Davis at 19.1% proficiency and Mattawoman at 14.8%, both well below the state average of 30.9%, suggesting a district-wide weakness in this subject. Mattawoman also serves a higher percentage of students from low-income households (54.18% free/reduced lunch vs. 46.75% at Davis), which often correlates with greater academic challenges. For parents, Theodore G. Davis Middle School clearly offers stronger academic programs, particularly in advanced math and literacy, while Mattawoman Middle School has shown improvement from a 1-star to a 2-star rating over three years but still lags behind in key metrics.
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