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St. Mary's County School District

Item: St. Mary's County School District
Rating: 7
Author: Public School Review

23160 Moakley Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (301) 475-5511

www.smcps.org

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 5,341 students in St. Mary's County School District. This district's average high is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in Maryland.

Public High Schools in St. Mary's County School District have an score of 39% (versus the Maryland public high school average of 34%), and score of 61% (versus the 56% statewide average).

Public High School in St. Mary's County School District have a of 91%, which is more than the Maryland average of 86%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Leonardtown High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Maryland or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public high school average of 69% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District

This State (MD)

# Schools

27 Schools

281 Schools

# Students

16,905 Students

286,035 Students

# Teachers

1,057 Teachers

18,321 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

16:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
9	1,430	2,873
10	1,355	2,635
11	1,237	2,431
12	1,319	2,366

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District Rank

St. Mary's County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 25 school districts in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 91% has decreased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MD)

#8 out of 25 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District
2023	#8
2022	#8
2021	#7
2019	#8
2018	#9
2017	#9
2016	#10
2015	#9
2014	#8
2013	#9
2012	#8
2011	#8
2010	#7

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35%

27%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	35%	27%
2022	33%	25%
2021	23%	20%
2019	46%	38%
2017	48%	41%
2016	49%	42%
2015	48%	38%
2014	79%	72%
2013	86%	79%
2012	88%	82%
2011	88%	80%
2010	87%	80%

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52%

45%

View Data

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2022	52%	45%
2021	38%	36%
2019	50%	46%
2017	41%	41%
2016	45%	44%
2015	46%	45%
2014	84%	82%
2013	85%	85%
2012	87%	85%
2011	87%	85%
2010	87%	84%

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40%

36%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2022	40%	36%
2021	46%	41%

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91%

85.8%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	91%	85%
2022	90%	86%
2021	91%	87%
2020	92%	86%
2019	94%	86%
2018	95%	87%
2017	94%	88%
2016	94%	88%
2015	94%	87%
2014	93%	87%
2013	92%	85%
2012	88%	84%
2011	84%	84%

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(2022-23)

32.4%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	32.4%	32.4%
2022	30.6%	33.7%
2021	7.3%	23.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.60

0.74

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	0.59	0.73
2022	0.57	0.73
2021	0.56	0.73
2020	0.56	0.73
2019	0.56	0.72
2018	0.53	0.72
2017	0.53	0.71
2016	0.53	0.70
2015	0.52	0.70
2014	0.51	0.69
2013	0.50	0.69
2012	0.48	0.68
2011	0.47	0.67
2010	0.48	0.64
2009	0.44	0.64
2008	0.43	0.63
2007	0.40	0.62
2006	0.40	0.61
2005	0.39	0.60
2004	0.38	0.60
2003	0.38	0.59
2002	0.38	0.58
2001	0.38	0.57
2000	0.36	0.56
1999	0.35	0.56
1998	0.35	0.56
1997	0.35	0.55
1996	0.35	0.54
1995	0.34	0.54
1994	0.34	0.54
1993	0.33	0.53
1992	0.32	0.52
1991	0.32	0.52
1990	0.35	0.51
1989	0.33	0.51

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2023)
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	3%	7%
2022	2%	7%
2021	2%	7%
2020	3%	7%
2019	3%	7%
2018	2%	7%
2017	2%	7%
2016	2%	6%
2015	2%	6%
2014	3%	6%
2013	3%	6%
2012	3%	6%
2011	3%	6%
2010	3%	6%
2009	3%	6%
2008	3%	6%
2007	3%	6%
2006	2%	5%
2005	2%	5%
2004	2%	5%
2003	2%	5%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	4%
2000	2%	4%
1999	2%	4%
1998	1%	4%
1997	1%	4%
1996	1%	4%
1995	1%	4%
1994	2%	4%
1993	1%	4%
1992	1%	4%
1991	1%	4%
1990	4%	3%
1989	1%	3%

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% Hispanic

10%

23%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	8%	22%
2022	8%	21%
2021	8%	20%
2020	8%	19%
2019	8%	18%
2018	7%	17%
2017	7%	16%
2016	7%	16%
2015	7%	15%
2014	6%	14%
2013	6%	13%
2012	5%	12%
2011	5%	12%
2010	7%	10%
2009	4%	10%
2008	3%	9%
2007	3%	8%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	7%
2004	2%	6%
2003	2%	6%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	4%
1998	1%	4%
1997	1%	4%
1996	1%	3%
1995	1%	3%
1993	1%	3%
1992	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%

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% Black

19%

34%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2023)
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	20%	33%
2022	19%	33%
2021	18%	34%
2020	18%	33%
2019	18%	34%
2018	19%	34%
2017	19%	34%
2016	19%	35%
2015	19%	35%
2014	18%	35%
2013	19%	35%
2012	19%	35%
2011	20%	36%
2010	20%	38%
2009	21%	38%
2008	20%	38%
2007	19%	38%
2006	19%	38%
2005	18%	38%
2004	18%	38%
2003	18%	37%
2002	18%	37%
2001	19%	37%
2000	19%	37%
1999	19%	37%
1998	19%	36%
1997	19%	35%
1996	19%	35%
1995	19%	35%
1994	18%	34%
1993	18%	33%
1992	18%	33%
1991	18%	33%
1990	19%	33%
1989	18%	33%

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% White

59%

31%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2023)
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	60%	33%
2022	62%	34%
2021	63%	34%
2020	63%	36%
2019	63%	36%
2018	65%	37%
2017	65%	38%
2016	66%	39%
2015	67%	40%
2014	68%	41%
2013	68%	42%
2012	70%	43%
2011	70%	43%
2010	69%	46%
2009	71%	46%
2008	73%	47%
2007	74%	48%
2006	76%	49%
2005	76%	50%
2004	77%	51%
2003	77%	52%
2002	77%	53%
2001	76%	54%
2000	78%	55%
1999	78%	55%
1998	79%	56%
1997	79%	57%
1996	79%	58%
1995	79%	58%
1994	80%	59%
1993	80%	60%
1992	80%	61%
1991	80%	61%
1990	77%	62%
1989	81%	62%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	9%	5%
2022	9%	5%
2021	9%	5%
2020	8%	5%
2019	8%	5%
2018	7%	5%
2017	7%	5%
2016	6%	4%
2015	5%	4%
2014	5%	4%
2013	4%	4%
2012	3%	4%
2011	2%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,604 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,239. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $19,115 is less than the state median of $21,504. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MD)

Total Revenue

$331 MM

$19,842 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	$331 MM	$331 MM
2022	$307 MM	$307 MM
2021	$291 MM	$277 MM
2020	$281 MM	$272 MM
2019	$258 MM	$258 MM
2018	$252 MM	$254 MM
2017	$250 MM	$250 MM
2016	$251 MM	$235 MM
2015	$223 MM	$243 MM
2014	$239 MM	$239 MM
2012	$218 MM	$218 MM
2011	$226 MM	$257 MM
2010	$223 MM	$243 MM
2009	$235 MM	$244 MM
2008	$225 MM	$240 MM
2007	$196 MM	$222 MM
2006	$188 MM	$222 MM
2005	$172 MM	$179 MM
2004	$161 MM	$168 MM
2003	$150 MM	$168 MM
2002	$159 MM	$159 MM
2001	$136 MM	$136 MM
2000	$132 MM	$132 MM
1999	$121 MM	$121 MM
1998	$115 MM	$103 MM
1997	$110 MM	$110 MM
1996	$95 MM	$95 MM
1995	$87 MM	$95 MM
1992	$81 MM	$75 MM
1990	$64 MM	$64 MM

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Spending

$323 MM

$19,186 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	$323 MM	$323 MM
2022	$308 MM	$308 MM
2021	$280 MM	$280 MM
2020	$276 MM	$268 MM
2019	$252 MM	$253 MM
2018	$247 MM	$256 MM
2017	$247 MM	$246 MM
2016	$233 MM	$228 MM
2015	$228 MM	$239 MM
2014	$241 MM	$241 MM
2012	$221 MM	$221 MM
2011	$228 MM	$254 MM
2010	$228 MM	$239 MM
2009	$227 MM	$238 MM
2008	$210 MM	$235 MM
2007	$188 MM	$216 MM
2006	$183 MM	$222 MM
2005	$168 MM	$175 MM
2004	$157 MM	$161 MM
2003	$151 MM	$174 MM
2002	$155 MM	$155 MM
2001	$134 MM	$134 MM
2000	$128 MM	$128 MM
1999	$117 MM	$125 MM
1998	$114 MM	$107 MM
1997	$109 MM	$109 MM
1996	$93 MM	$95 MM
1995	$86 MM	$94 MM
1992	$82 MM	$76 MM
1990	$64 MM	$64 MM

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Revenue / Student

$19,604

$22,239

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	$18,945	$21,435
2022	$17,545	$19,906
2021	$16,853	$18,145
2020	$15,553	$16,970
2019	$14,362	$16,221
2018	$13,967	$15,941
2017	$13,846	$15,684
2016	$13,981	$14,693
2015	$12,484	$14,280
2014	$13,413	$15,123
2012	$12,514	$13,797
2011	$13,088	$15,309
2010	$12,993	$14,280
2009	$14,010	$14,580
2008	$13,342	$13,804
2007	$11,760	$12,723
2006	$11,266	$10,479
2005	$10,377	$10,255
2004	$9,883	$9,662
2003	$9,339	$9,772
2002	$10,289	$9,566
2001	$9,008	$8,441
2000	$8,757	$8,333
1999	$8,200	$7,775
1998	$7,809	$6,964
1997	$7,677	$7,379
1995	$6,461	$6,643
1992	$6,276	$5,751
1990	$5,218	$5,065

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Spending / Student

$19,115

$21,504

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	St. Mary's County School District	Maryland
2023	$18,473	$20,900
2022	$17,616	$19,986
2021	$16,219	$18,292
2020	$15,242	$16,725
2019	$13,988	$15,882
2018	$13,678	$16,121
2017	$13,656	$15,427
2016	$12,991	$14,265
2015	$12,729	$14,036
2014	$13,514	$15,201
2012	$12,663	$13,961
2011	$13,182	$15,114
2010	$13,248	$14,036
2009	$13,556	$14,228
2008	$12,415	$13,490
2007	$11,303	$12,381
2006	$10,997	$10,478
2005	$10,167	$10,011
2004	$9,644	$9,251
2003	$9,356	$10,169
2002	$9,997	$9,296
2001	$8,830	$8,273
2000	$8,527	$8,114
1999	$7,960	$8,028
1998	$7,740	$7,264
1997	$7,593	$7,298
1995	$6,442	$6,575
1992	$6,292	$5,817
1990	$5,229	$5,076

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Best St. Mary's County School District Public High Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Leonardtown High School

(Math: 45% | Reading: 68%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

23995 Point Lookout Rd
Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-0200

Gr: 9-12 | 2,118 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: #22.

Chopticon High School

(Math: 35% | Reading: 59%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

25390 Colton Point Rd
Morganza, MD 20660
(301) 475-0215

Gr: 9-12 | 1,526 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%

Rank: #33.

Great Mills High School

(Math: 34% | Reading: 55%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

21130 Great Mills Rd
Great Mills, MD 20634
(301) 863-4001

Gr: 9-12 | 1,697 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

Rank: n/an/a

Dr. James A. Forrest Career And Technology Center

Vocational School

Add to Compare

24005 Point Lookout Rd
Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-0242

Gr: 9-12

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 27 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 16,905 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 41%
: 91% (Top 50% in MD)
: Top 50%
: 35% (Top 30%)
: 52% (Top 50%)
: 40% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education