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Below Average

#1144 of 1,363 schools in MD

Esperanza Middle

Middle School · St. Mary's County Public Schools

22790 Maple Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653

Enrollment

842

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lexington Park

#4 of 6

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#170 of 224

In district

#18 of 26

St. Mary's County Public Schools

About Esperanza Middle

Esperanza Middle serves students in grades six through eight in Lexington Park, a small suburban community in St. Mary's County, Maryland. The school enrolls 842 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, supported by 53 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, Esperanza Middle is working to strengthen its performance, with math proficiency particularly showing room for growth. Currently, 29% of students are proficient or above in math, while 47% meet or exceed proficiency in ELA and reading. The school earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.2 out of 10, with an academic score of 6.6 out of 10.

Among Maryland's 1,364 schools, Esperanza ranks at #547, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide. For parents considering this school, it's worth noting that the middle grades represent an important time for academic momentum. Esperanza appears to be a neighborhood school serving the local Lexington Park community, providing a suburban setting for young adolescents making the transition through middle school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.1%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg0 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,038

Esperanza Middle — Students at Esperanza Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 46.5%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
25.5%
ELA
51.1%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Esperanza Middle Compares

See how Esperanza Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in MD
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

22790 Maple Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Esperanza Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Green Holly Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenview Knolls Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Great Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George Washington Carver Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Great Mills), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington Park, see our Lexington Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Green Holly Elementary School Lexington Park 0.4 mi 9.1
Town Creek Elementary Lexington Park 0.7 mi 6.7
Greenview Knolls Elementary Great Mills 0.9 mi 8.8
George Washington Carver Elementary Great Mills 3.0 mi 8.4
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Solomons 2.7 mi 5.9
Great Mills High Great Mills 3.1 mi 4.4
Lexington Park Elementary Lexington Park 2.8 mi 2.9
LEXINGTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Lexington Park 2.9 mi
Chesapeake Charter School Lexington Park 3.4 mi 5.2
LITTLE FLOWER SCHOOL Great Mills 3.8 mi 7.1
STARMARKER SCHOOL EARLY EDUCATION WILDWOOD California 3.2 mi
THE KINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Callaway 3.8 mi 6.0
BAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington Park 4.5 mi 6.2
Hollywood Elementary Hollywood 4.2 mi 8.1
Dowell Elementary Lusby 4.8 mi 8.4
Evergreen Elementary School California 4.1 mi 6.2
Park Hall Elementary Park Hall 5.1 mi 8.4
Patuxent High Lusby 5.1 mi 5.9
ST JOHN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hollywood 4.7 mi 5.2
Mill Creek Middle Lusby 5.4 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,923

Median Home Value

$341,900

Median Rent

$1,579/mo

Population

26,799

College Educated

33.8%

Homeownership

54.9%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

33.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Esperanza Middle has a median household income of $97,923. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $341,900, with a median rent of $1,579/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bennett Middle Fruitland, MD 4.9
Cockeysville Middle Cockeysville, MD 5.0
Piccowaxen Middle School Newburg, MD 5.0
Ballenger Creek Middle Frederick, MD 4.8
Middletown Middle Middletown, MD 4.8
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy, MD 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Esperanza Middle

What grades does Esperanza Middle serve?

Esperanza Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Esperanza Middle?

Esperanza Middle has an enrollment of approximately 842 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Esperanza Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Esperanza Middle is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Esperanza Middle rank in MD?

Esperanza Middle is ranked #1144 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Esperanza Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Esperanza Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Esperanza Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Esperanza Middle has 27.9% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Esperanza Middle a charter school?

No, Esperanza Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Esperanza Middle a Title I school?

No, Esperanza Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Esperanza Middle?

40.9% of students at Esperanza Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,267/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
St. Mary's County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

St. Mary's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
17,223
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,088
District Rank
#18 of 26

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 methodology

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