Charles County Schools & Education
Charles County, Maryland
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
83/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
94.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
94.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,564
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,395
School Score
83/100
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
#6
of 24 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Charles County
School Verdict
Charles County is a high-performing district with a school score of 83/100 and a graduation rate of 94.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Charles County spends $9,564 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 Charles County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 15% above the Maryland average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Charles County, Maryland
A Comprehensive Suburban Education Infrastructure
Charles County operates 39 public schools, including 22 elementary, 8 middle, and 7 high schools. A single unified district manages the education of 27,598 students across the region. Two alternative schools supplement the core academic facilities to support diverse learning needs.
High Graduation Rates Outpace State Averages
The county achieves an impressive 94.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than the Maryland average of 89.4% and the national benchmark of 87%. While per-pupil expenditure is $9,564, the county maintains a competitive school score of 61.2. This performance indicates high efficiency and strong student outcomes despite spending below the national average.
Charles County Public Schools Leads the Way
Charles County Public Schools serves as the sole provider for the area, enrolling all 27,598 students in the system. The district contains no charter schools, focusing its resources entirely on its traditional public school network. This centralized structure ensures consistent standards across every neighborhood.
Large Suburban Schools with Rural Reach
The landscape features 24 suburban schools and 15 rural locations, creating a blend of residential and open-country settings. Schools here are relatively large, with an average enrollment of 746 students. North Point High School stands as the largest campus, hosting 1,867 students in a modern facility.
Find a Home in a Top-Performing District
Families looking for high graduation rates and stable suburban environments should explore homes near La Plata or Waldorf. With schools like North Point High setting high standards, education quality remains a primary driver for local real estate value. Use these performance metrics to guide your home search in this established Maryland community.
School Overview
Total Schools
39
in Charles County
Total Enrollment
27,598
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
1 School District in Charles County
Charles County Public Schools
39 Public Schools in Charles County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Point High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,867 |
| St. Charles High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,569 |
| Westlake High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,229 |
| La Plata High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,222 |
| Thomas Stone High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,177 |
| Maurice J. McDonough High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,087 |
| Theodore G. Davis Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 1,043 |
| Henry E. Lackey High School | Charles County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,042 |
| Mattawoman Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 934 |
| Benjamin Stoddert Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 925 |
| William A. Diggs Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 828 |
| John Hanson Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 772 |
| Berry Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 721 |
| Matthew Henson Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 710 |
| Billingsley Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 677 |
| Milton M. Somers Middle School | Charles County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 666 |
| William B. Wade Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 642 |
| J. P. Ryon Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 640 |
| J. C. Parks Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 638 |
| Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School | Charles County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 637 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,564
State avg $10,395
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Charles County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Charles County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Charles County?
How much does Charles County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Charles County, Maryland — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Charles County, Maryland?
Charles County operates 39 public schools, including 22 elementary, 8 middle, and 7 high schools. A single unified district manages the education of 27,598 students across the region. Two alternative schools supplement the core academic facilities to support diverse learning needs.
How do schools in Charles County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 94.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than the Maryland average of 89.4% and the national benchmark of 87%. While per-pupil expenditure is $9,564, the county maintains a competitive school score of 61.2. This performance indicates high efficiency and strong student outcomes despite spending below the national average.
What are the major school districts in Charles County, Maryland?
Charles County Public Schools serves as the sole provider for the area, enrolling all 27,598 students in the system. The district contains no charter schools, focusing its resources entirely on its traditional public school network. This centralized structure ensures consistent standards across every neighborhood.
What is the school experience like in Charles County?
The landscape features 24 suburban schools and 15 rural locations, creating a blend of residential and open-country settings. Schools here are relatively large, with an average enrollment of 746 students. North Point High School stands as the largest campus, hosting 1,867 students in a modern facility.
How can I find homes near good schools in Charles County, Maryland?
Families looking for high graduation rates and stable suburban environments should explore homes near La Plata or Waldorf. With schools like North Point High setting high standards, education quality remains a primary driver for local real estate value. Use these performance metrics to guide your home search in this established Maryland community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.