Average
#717 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#717 of 1,363
In Newburg
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#9 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
Elementary School in Newburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Piccowaxen Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Colonial Beach Elementary
7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School is a public elementary school in Newburg, MD, part of Charles County Public Schools.
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School serves approximately 408 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #717 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
36% of students at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School — Students at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 28 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: 6.2/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. White Marsh Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington District Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Colonial Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dynard Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Chaptico), which scores slightly 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Conowingo Elementary Conowingo, MD | 6.2 |
| Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown, MD | 6.2 |
| Fairland Elementary Silver Spring, MD | 6.2 |
| Halethorpe Elementary Halethorpe, MD | 6.2 |
| Lamont Elementary New Carrollton, MD | 6.2 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia, MD | 6.2 |
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 ranks #717 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 current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.8%
- Phone
- (301) 934-4091
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #9 of 37
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