Average
#860 of 1,363 schools in MD
James M. Bennett High
High School · Wicomico County Public Schools
300 E College Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Enrollment
1,379
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,379
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salisbury
#11 of 15
public schools
Maryland high schools
#51 of 226
In district
#19 of 25
Wicomico County Public Schools
About James M. Bennett High
James M. Bennett High serves 1,379 students in grades 9-12 in Salisbury, Maryland, operating as a regular public school in the Wicomico County system. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, providing relatively small class sizes that can support individualized attention.
Academically, James M. Bennett High has room for growth, with 38% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 24% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school ranks 744th out of 1,364 high schools statewide, placing it in the 46th percentile among Maryland schools.
These results suggest the school is working to strengthen student achievement across core subject areas. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $64,513 and median home values reach $213,900. About 28% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.7% of families face economic challenges.
This mix of backgrounds brings varied perspectives and experiences to the school community. Located on East College Avenue in Salisbury, James M. Bennett High sits in a small city setting that combines suburban neighborhoods with urban amenities, providing students access to both educational resources and community opportunities throughout Wicomico County.
Score Breakdown
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James M. Bennett High — Students at James M. Bennett High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
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: 3.0/10.
How James M. Bennett High Compares
See how James M. Bennett High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 36.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 46.2% (2025).
Location
300 E College Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James M. Bennett High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wicomico County Evening High (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkside High (rated 6.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wicomico High (rated 4.2/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salisbury, see our Salisbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Street School Salisbury | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| BUNDLES OF JOY UNIVERSITY Salisbury | 0.8 mi | — |
| Parkside High Salisbury | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ASBURY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Salisbury | 1.0 mi | — |
| Wicomico County Evening High Salisbury | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Wicomico Middle Salisbury | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Wicomico High Salisbury | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Pinehurst Elementary Salisbury | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Glen Avenue School Salisbury | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Charles H. Chipman Elementary Salisbury | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Fruitland Primary Fruitland | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| East Salisbury Elementary Salisbury | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| North Salisbury Elementary Salisbury | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Pemberton Elementary Salisbury | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| WICOMICO DAY SCHOOL Salisbury | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY Fruitland | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Fruitland Intermediate Fruitland | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Salisbury Middle Salisbury | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| West Salisbury Salisbury | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Bennett Middle Fruitland | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,882
Median Home Value
$230,200
Median Rent
$1,343/mo
Population
39,461
College Educated
28.1%
Homeownership
49.3%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding James M. Bennett High has a median household income of $68,882. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,200, with a median rent of $1,343/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Calvert High Prince Frederick, MD | 5.9 |
| Edgewood High Edgewood, MD | 5.9 |
| Mount Hebron High Ellicott City, MD | 5.9 |
| Patuxent High Lusby, MD | 5.9 |
| Potomac High Oxon Hill, MD | 5.9 |
| Springbrook High Silver Spring, MD | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James M. Bennett High
What grades does James M. Bennett High serve?
James M. Bennett High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend James M. Bennett High?
James M. Bennett High has an enrollment of approximately 1,379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James M. Bennett High?
The student-teacher ratio at James M. Bennett High is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James M. Bennett High rank in MD?
James M. Bennett High is ranked #860 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is James M. Bennett High's MySchoolScout rating?
James M. Bennett High has a composite rating of 5.9 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 James M. Bennett High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James M. Bennett High has 41.9% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James M. Bennett High a charter school?
No, James M. Bennett High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James M. Bennett High a Title I school?
No, James M. Bennett High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James M. Bennett High?
45.3% of students at James M. Bennett High 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
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,969/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salisbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Wicomico County
- Phone
- (410) 677-5141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wicomico County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,086
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,486
- District Rank
- #19 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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.
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