Average
#846 of 1,363 schools in MD
James M. Bennett High
High School · Wicomico County Public Schools · Salisbury, MD
A Wicomico County Public Schools high school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
300 E College Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
- Math 7% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 46% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 81.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at James M. Bennett High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 34 points since 2020, to 27% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
45.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where James M. Bennett High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 43Car-Dependent
- Transit 25Some Transit
- Bike 39Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,969/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Salisbury), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$68,882
Median home value
$230,200
Median rent
$1,343/mo
College educated
28.1%
Homeownership
49.3%
Poverty rate
16.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 21804; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkside HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.5 | 9–12 | 1.0 mi | 1,223 | Compare → |
| Wicomico County Evening HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 10–12 | 1.1 mi | 36 | Compare → |
| Wicomico HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 9–12 | 1.5 mi | 1,307 | Compare → |
| Mardela Middle & HighEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | 6–12 | Not available | 706 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Wicomico County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 25
- Rank in district
- #17 of 25
- District spending per student
- $18,486NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 19.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
James M. Bennett High is listed in Wicomico County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About James M. Bennett High
James M. Bennett High is a public high school in Salisbury, MD, part of Wicomico County Public Schools, serving approximately 1,379 students in grades 9th-12th with a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #846 of 1,363 schools in MD.
State assessment records show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #846 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is James M. Bennett High's MySchoolScout rating?
James M. Bennett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 James M. Bennett High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James M. Bennett High has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Wicomico County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.4%
- Phone
- (410) 677-5141
- 4-Year Graduation
- 81.0%
- Area population (ZIP 21804)
- 39,461
- Area average commute
- 22.7 min
- Area median age
- 32.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 21804; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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