St. Mary's County Schools & Education
St. Mary's County, Maryland
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
73/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,045
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,395
School Score
73/100
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
#14
of 24 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: St. Mary's County
School Verdict
St. Mary's County is a high-performing district with a school score of 73/100 and a graduation rate of 92.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
St. Mary's County spends $9,045 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 St. Mary's County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 1% above the Maryland average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in St. Mary's County, Maryland
A diverse educational map in St. Mary's
St. Mary's County features 28 public schools, including 19 elementary, four middle, and three high schools. A single district manages this system, which supports 17,493 students. The county also offers specialized paths through one alternative school and one charter school.
Strong graduation rates with efficient spending
The county achieves a 92.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 89.4% and the national 87.0% mark. This success is accomplished with a per-pupil expenditure of $9,045, which is lower than both the state and national averages. A school score of 59.0 indicates that the county performs competitively within the Maryland landscape.
St. Mary's County Public Schools at the helm
St. Mary's County Public Schools is the sole district, overseeing everything from the largest high schools to the local charter school. The single charter school represents about 3.6% of the county's total schools, providing a unique option for families. Total enrollment stands at 17,493, with a clear focus on secondary school success.
From rural landscapes to city centers
The school locale mix is diverse, with 15 rural, seven suburban, five city, and one town school. Leonardtown High is the largest school in the county, serving 2,039 students. Despite these large high schools, the countywide average school size remains at 673 students.
Proximity to high-performing secondary schools
Homebuyers often look for properties near Leonardtown or Great Mills to access the county’s largest high schools. With a 92% graduation rate, the area is a strong draw for families who prioritize academic completion. Explore the various rural and suburban neighborhoods that feed into these successful educational hubs.
School Overview
Total Schools
28
in St. Mary's County
Total Enrollment
17,493
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
1
4% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County Public Schools
28 Public Schools in St. Mary's County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardtown High | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,039 |
| Great Mills High | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,779 |
| Chopticon High | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,682 |
| Spring Ridge Middle | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 987 |
| Leonardtown Middle | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 969 |
| Margaret Brent Middle | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 935 |
| Esperanza Middle | St. Mary's County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 875 |
| Evergreen Elementary School | St. Mary's County Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 736 |
| Benjamin Banneker Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 590 |
| Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 547 |
| Chesapeake Charter School | St. Mary's County Public Schools | KG–8 | Charter | 519 |
| George Washington Carver Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 518 |
| Park Hall Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 501 |
| Lettie Marshall Dent Elem | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 499 |
| Green Holly Elementary School | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 492 |
| Leonardtown Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 483 |
| Hollywood Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 474 |
| Piney Point Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 453 |
| Greenview Knolls Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 412 |
| Lexington Park Elementary | St. Mary's County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 398 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,045
State avg $10,395
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in St. Mary's County rate?
What is the graduation rate in St. Mary's County?
How much does St. Mary's County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in St. Mary's County, Maryland — FAQ
What does the school system look like in St. Mary's County, Maryland?
St. Mary's County features 28 public schools, including 19 elementary, four middle, and three high schools. A single district manages this system, which supports 17,493 students. The county also offers specialized paths through one alternative school and one charter school.
How do schools in St. Mary's County perform academically?
The county achieves a 92.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 89.4% and the national 87.0% mark. This success is accomplished with a per-pupil expenditure of $9,045, which is lower than both the state and national averages. A school score of 59.0 indicates that the county performs competitively within the Maryland landscape.
What are the major school districts in St. Mary's County, Maryland?
St. Mary's County Public Schools is the sole district, overseeing everything from the largest high schools to the local charter school. The single charter school represents about 3.6% of the county's total schools, providing a unique option for families. Total enrollment stands at 17,493, with a clear focus on secondary school success.
What is the school experience like in St. Mary's County?
The school locale mix is diverse, with 15 rural, seven suburban, five city, and one town school. Leonardtown High is the largest school in the county, serving 2,039 students. Despite these large high schools, the countywide average school size remains at 673 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in St. Mary's County, Maryland?
Homebuyers often look for properties near Leonardtown or Great Mills to access the county’s largest high schools. With a 92% graduation rate, the area is a strong draw for families who prioritize academic completion. Explore the various rural and suburban neighborhoods that feed into these successful educational hubs.
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.