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#846 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

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#846 of 1,363

In Salisbury

#7 of 15

public schools

In district

#17 of 25

Wicomico County Public Schools

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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James M. Bennett High

5.7/10

High School in Salisbury · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Prince Street School

5.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bundles of Joy University

Nearby

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James M. Bennett High

James M. Bennett High is a public high school in Salisbury, MD, part of Wicomico County Public Schools. James M.

Bennett High serves approximately 1,379 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. James M. Bennett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #846 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for James M. Bennett High show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at James M. Bennett High sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

33% of students at James M. Bennett High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.2% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate81%
AP Participation23.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,486
Chronic Absenteeism33.4%

James M. Bennett High — Students at James M. Bennett High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 66.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
88%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
88%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
55%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
7.1%
ELA
46.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How James M. Bennett High Compares

See how James M. Bennett High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in MD
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
5.8/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.1
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
96 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
23.2% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Parkside High (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wicomico County Evening High (rated 4.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wicomico High (rated 4.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 5.3
BUNDLES OF JOY UNIVERSITY Salisbury 0.8 mi
Parkside High Salisbury 1.0 mi 6.5
ASBURY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Salisbury 1.0 mi
Wicomico County Evening High Salisbury 1.1 mi 4.7
Wicomico Middle Salisbury 1.5 mi 4.7
Wicomico High Salisbury 1.5 mi 4.7
Pinehurst Elementary Salisbury 1.3 mi 5.6
Glen Avenue School Salisbury 1.8 mi 4.9
Charles H. Chipman Elementary Salisbury 2.2 mi 7.1
Fruitland Primary Fruitland 2.1 mi 7.9
East Salisbury Elementary Salisbury 2.2 mi 4.6
North Salisbury Elementary Salisbury 2.3 mi 8.8
Pemberton Elementary Salisbury 2.0 mi 4.7
WICOMICO DAY SCHOOL Salisbury 2.3 mi 6.6
STEPPING STONES LEARNING ACADEMY Fruitland 2.1 mi 6.7
Fruitland Intermediate Fruitland 2.2 mi 6.6
Salisbury Middle Salisbury 2.7 mi 7.2
West Salisbury Salisbury 3.2 mi 6.5
Bennett Middle Fruitland 2.9 mi 6.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crofton High School Gambrills, MD 5.7
Crossland High Temple Hills, MD 5.7
Francis Scott Key High Union Bridge, MD 5.7
Tuscarora High Frederick, MD 5.7
Chesapeake High Pasadena, MD 5.8
Great Mills High Great Mills, MD 5.6

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.4%
4-Year Graduation
81.0%

District

Wicomico County Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,086
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,486
District Rank
#17 of 25

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