Summary:
Zip code 21643, serving the Hurlock, Maryland area, is home to a single high school, North Dorchester High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 and is part of the Dorchester County Public Schools district.
North Dorchester High School presents a complex picture for parents. On one hand, the school boasts a very high graduation rate of 93.5% and a low dropout rate of just 3.9%, significantly outperforming its district in keeping students on track to earn a diploma. However, this success contrasts sharply with its academic performance. While the school's English Language Arts proficiency rate (38.6%) is slightly above the district average, it still trails the state. The most critical weakness is in mathematics, where only 16.3% of students are proficient, and Geometry is a particular challenge with a 13.6% proficiency rate compared to the state's 44.5%. A major concern is chronic absenteeism, affecting over a third of students (36.4%), which is likely a key driver of the low test scores. The school also spends a substantial $21,221 per student, yet these academic results are well below state averages, raising questions about resource allocation.
There are some positive signs of change. The school saw a dramatic five-fold increase in overall math proficiency from 3.2% to 16.3% between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, suggesting recent interventions may be taking effect. The school's state ranking has also been volatile, dropping to the 22nd percentile before recovering to the 30th percentile in 2025-2026. For parents, the key takeaway is that North Dorchester High School excels at ensuring students graduate, but families should be aware of the significant academic challenges, particularly in math, and the high rate of chronic absenteeism that may require additional support and attention.
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