Cecil County Schools & Education

Cecil County, Maryland

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

82/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

93.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

93.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 89.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$10,187

National avg $13,239

State avg $10,395

School Score

82/100

Higher = better

State avg 72/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#7

of 24 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Cecil County

School Verdict

Cecil County is a high-performing district with a school score of 82/100 and a graduation rate of 93.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

Cecil County spends $10,187 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Cecil County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 14% above the Maryland average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Cecil County, Maryland

Education Infrastructure on the NE Corridor

Cecil County manages 29 public schools, including 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools. This system supports 15,047 students through a single district that spans the area between the Susquehanna River and the Delaware border. The layout provides a high concentration of elementary schools to support local neighborhoods.

Exceeding State and National Benchmarks

The county delivers a strong 93.0% graduation rate, which is well above the national average of 87%. Academic performance is reflected in a school score of 62.0, surpassing the Maryland state average of 60.6. Investment is steady at $10,187 per pupil, focusing funds on student outcomes and secondary success.

Focused Growth in a Single District

Cecil County Public Schools serves as the sole district for the county's 15,047 students. There are currently no charter schools in the system, maintaining a traditional but high-performing public school model. High schools like Elkton and Rising Sun both enroll 1,106 students, serving as the largest academic centers in the region.

A Rural-Suburban Educational Mix

The county is divided between 16 rural and 13 suburban school locales, offering a diverse range of campus settings. With an average school size of 537 students, the campuses are slightly smaller than the state average, allowing for more personal student-teacher interaction. Larger high schools like North East High provide a more bustling suburban feel.

Strong Schools and Growing Communities

Cecil County’s 93% graduation rate is a compelling reason for families to explore the local real estate market. The district’s ability to outperform state averages while maintaining manageable school sizes makes it an attractive choice for home buyers. Look for homes near these top-performing secondary schools for lasting value.

School Overview

Total Schools

29

in Cecil County

Total Enrollment

15,047

students

School Districts

1

district

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary17
Middle6
High5
Other1

1 School District in Cecil County

Cecil County Public Schools

29 schools
15,047 students enrolled

29 Public Schools in Cecil County

Elkton High

Cecil County Public Schools

9–12High1,106 students
Rising Sun High

Cecil County Public Schools

9–12High1,106 students
North East High

Cecil County Public Schools

9–12High1,069 students
Perryville High

Cecil County Public Schools

9–12High858 students
North East Middle

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle791 students
Bohemia Manor High

Cecil County Public Schools

9–12High626 students
Rising Sun Middle School

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle619 students
Rising Sun Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary609 students
North East Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary592 students
Perryville Middle

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle557 students
Elkton Middle

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle523 students
Thomson Estates Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary481 students
Gilpin Manor Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary477 students
Bay View Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary468 students
Holly Hall Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary436 students
Bohemia Manor Middle

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle436 students
Cecil Manor Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary424 students
Perryville Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary421 students
Elk Neck Elementary

Cecil County Public Schools

PK–5Primary404 students
Cherry Hill Middle

Cecil County Public Schools

6–8Middle401 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$10,187

State avg $10,395

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Cecil County rate?
Cecil County has a school score of 82/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Cecil County?
The high school graduation rate in Cecil County is 93.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Cecil County spend per student?
Cecil County spends $10,187 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Cecil County, Maryland — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Cecil County, Maryland?

Cecil County manages 29 public schools, including 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools. This system supports 15,047 students through a single district that spans the area between the Susquehanna River and the Delaware border. The layout provides a high concentration of elementary schools to support local neighborhoods.

How do schools in Cecil County perform academically?

The county delivers a strong 93.0% graduation rate, which is well above the national average of 87%. Academic performance is reflected in a school score of 62.0, surpassing the Maryland state average of 60.6. Investment is steady at $10,187 per pupil, focusing funds on student outcomes and secondary success.

What are the major school districts in Cecil County, Maryland?

Cecil County Public Schools serves as the sole district for the county's 15,047 students. There are currently no charter schools in the system, maintaining a traditional but high-performing public school model. High schools like Elkton and Rising Sun both enroll 1,106 students, serving as the largest academic centers in the region.

What is the school experience like in Cecil County?

The county is divided between 16 rural and 13 suburban school locales, offering a diverse range of campus settings. With an average school size of 537 students, the campuses are slightly smaller than the state average, allowing for more personal student-teacher interaction. Larger high schools like North East High provide a more bustling suburban feel.

How can I find homes near good schools in Cecil County, Maryland?

Cecil County’s 93% graduation rate is a compelling reason for families to explore the local real estate market. The district’s ability to outperform state averages while maintaining manageable school sizes makes it an attractive choice for home buyers. Look for homes near these top-performing secondary schools for lasting value.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.