Average
#762 of 1,363 schools in MD
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
Elementary School · Charles County Public Schools
12872 Rock Point Rd, Newburg, MD 20664
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newburg
#1 of 2
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#635 of 882
In district
#12 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Newburg, Maryland, within Charles County.
Serving preschool through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 408 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10, Dr. Thomas L.
Higdon Elementary School ranks at number 593 among the state's 1364 schools, placing it in the 57th percentile overall and with an academic score of 6.9/10. The school’s test performance shows that 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for continued academic growth. Dr.
Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is situated in a rural community where it plays an important role as a local educational hub.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School — Students at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.
How Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School Compares
See how Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 43.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 60% (2019) to 58.9% (2025).
Location
12872 Rock Point Rd, Newburg, MD 20664
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington District Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Colonial Beach), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary H. Matula Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby La Plata), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mechanicsville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newburg, see our Newburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20664 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,083
Median Home Value
$433,100
Median Rent
$1,660/mo
Population
3,121
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
76.7%
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has a median household income of $82,083. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $433,100, with a median rent of $1,660/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bester Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 6.1 |
| Cannon Road Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.1 |
| Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter Frederick, MD | 6.1 |
| Clearspring Elementary Damascus, MD | 6.1 |
| Deerfield Run Elementary Laurel, MD | 6.1 |
| Emma K. Doub Elementary Hagerstown, MD | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
What grades does Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School serve?
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School?
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School rank in MD?
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is ranked #762 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has 35.7% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School?
40.9% of students at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,301/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 408
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Charles County
- Phone
- (301) 934-4091
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #12 of 37
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.