Summary:
The three public schools in zip code 20634 (Great Mills, MD) serve approximately 2,451 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, all part of the St. Mary's County Public Schools district, and are characterized by high levels of economic disadvantage, with a majority of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Within this area, Greenview Knolls Elementary stands out as the top academic performer, being the only school to meet or exceed state averages in any subject—its overall Math proficiency (26.9%) nearly matched the state average, and its 4th-grade ELA proficiency (54%) surpassed it. In contrast, George Washington Carver Elementary has the highest poverty rate (76.3%) and the lowest academic scores, despite having the highest per-student spending ($23,748) and the smallest class sizes (12:1 ratio). Great Mills High presents a paradox: while its overall Math proficiency is low (17.5%), it achieves exceptional results in Algebra II (79.4% proficient), far above the state average. However, the high school also faces significant challenges, including a chronic absenteeism rate of 39.7%, a graduation rate of 83.0%, and a dropout rate of 13.9%—all worse than district averages.
Key takeaways for parents include a stark correlation between poverty, absenteeism, and performance: Greenview Knolls has the lowest poverty rate (57.14%) and chronic absenteeism (25.1%), while George Washington Carver has the highest poverty and absenteeism (32.8%) and lowest scores. High spending at the elementary level does not guarantee high test scores, suggesting funds are used to address non-academic barriers. Great Mills High is under significant stress with a large student-teacher ratio (19.1:1) and low engagement, making it a school where parents should closely monitor student support and course placement, especially in math.
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