Dorchester County Schools & Education
Dorchester County, Maryland
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
51/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
79.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,998
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,395
School Score
51/100
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
#22
of 24 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Dorchester County
School Verdict
Dorchester County has average school quality (score: 51/100) with a graduation rate of 79.0%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Dorchester County spends $10,998 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 Dorchester County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 30% below the Maryland average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 10.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Dorchester County, Maryland
Small-Scale Learning in Dorchester County
Dorchester County manages 13 public schools, including 7 elementary and 4 secondary campuses. The district supports a total enrollment of 4,523 students, making it one of the smaller educational footprints in the state. One alternative school is available to provide specialized support within this compact system.
Investing Heavily in Student Success
The county invests $10,998 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $10,395. Although the 79.0% graduation rate trails both state and national benchmarks, the county maintains a 56.4 school score. This level of funding demonstrates a commitment to improving academic outcomes for its student body.
Centralized Governance for Local Schools
Dorchester County Public Schools is the only district in the county, overseeing all 13 local campuses. There are currently no charter schools in operation, with 100% of students attending traditional public facilities. This provides a straightforward educational path for families moving into the region.
A Predominantly Rural Learning Environment
Nine of the county's schools sit in rural locales, while four serve town centers. Small school sizes are the norm here, with an average enrollment of just 411 students. Cambridge-South Dorchester High is the largest school in the county, housing 784 students.
Peaceful Rural Living Near Local Schools
For buyers seeking smaller class sizes and a rural pace of life, Dorchester County offers a unique alternative to Maryland's crowded suburbs. Homes near Cambridge provide proximity to the county's largest educational facilities and community hubs. Consider the high per-pupil investment as you evaluate the long-term potential of properties in the area.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Dorchester County
Total Enrollment
4,523
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 Dorchester County
Dorchester County Public Schools
13 Public Schools in Dorchester County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge-South Dorchester High School | Dorchester County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 784 |
| North Dorchester High School | Dorchester County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 572 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School | Dorchester County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 481 |
| North Dorchester Middle School | Dorchester County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 415 |
| Maple Elementary School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 392 |
| Hurlock Elementary School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 384 |
| Choptank Elementary School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 375 |
| Sandy Hill Elementary | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 374 |
| Warwick Elementary School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 347 |
| South Dorchester School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–8 | Primary | 225 |
| Vienna Elementary School | Dorchester County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 174 |
| Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center | Dorchester County Public Schools | UG | Alternative | 0 |
| Dorchester County Career and Technology Center | Dorchester County Public Schools | UG | Vocational | 0 |
Dorchester County Public Schools
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,998
State avg $10,395
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Dorchester County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Dorchester County?
How much does Dorchester County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Dorchester County, Maryland — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Dorchester County, Maryland?
Dorchester County manages 13 public schools, including 7 elementary and 4 secondary campuses. The district supports a total enrollment of 4,523 students, making it one of the smaller educational footprints in the state. One alternative school is available to provide specialized support within this compact system.
How do schools in Dorchester County perform academically?
The county invests $10,998 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $10,395. Although the 79.0% graduation rate trails both state and national benchmarks, the county maintains a 56.4 school score. This level of funding demonstrates a commitment to improving academic outcomes for its student body.
What are the major school districts in Dorchester County, Maryland?
Dorchester County Public Schools is the only district in the county, overseeing all 13 local campuses. There are currently no charter schools in operation, with 100% of students attending traditional public facilities. This provides a straightforward educational path for families moving into the region.
What is the school experience like in Dorchester County?
Nine of the county's schools sit in rural locales, while four serve town centers. Small school sizes are the norm here, with an average enrollment of just 411 students. Cambridge-South Dorchester High is the largest school in the county, housing 784 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Dorchester County, Maryland?
For buyers seeking smaller class sizes and a rural pace of life, Dorchester County offers a unique alternative to Maryland's crowded suburbs. Homes near Cambridge provide proximity to the county's largest educational facilities and community hubs. Consider the high per-pupil investment as you evaluate the long-term potential of properties in the area.
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.