Below Average
#1281 of 1,363 schools in MD
Matthew Henson Middle School
Middle School · Charles County Public Schools
3535 Livingston Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640
Enrollment
675
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
675
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indian Head
#3 of 5
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#210 of 224
In district
#29 of 37
Charles County Public Schools
About Matthew Henson Middle School
Matthew Henson Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Indian Head, Maryland, within the rural setting of Charles County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 675 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, Matthew Henson Middle School aims to provide a supportive educational environment.
The academic performance at the school shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #1292 out of 1364 schools in Maryland (5th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 12% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on student development and continuous improvement.
Matthew Henson Middle School is situated near the town of Indian Head, offering a rural setting that provides a close-knit community atmosphere for students to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Matthew Henson Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Matthew Henson Middle School — Students at Matthew Henson Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How Matthew Henson Middle School Compares
See how Matthew Henson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 12.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 42.2% (2025).
Location
3535 Livingston Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Matthew Henson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Theodore G. Davis Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Waldorf), with a very similar rating. Additionally, General Smallwood Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Indian Head, see our Indian Head schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| J. C. Parks Elementary School Indian Head | 0.1 mi | 3.6 |
| General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head | 3.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Henry E. Lackey High School Indian Head | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Gale-Bailey Elementary School Marbury | 5.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Indian Head Elementary School Indian Head | 5.0 mi | 5.2 |
| William A. Diggs Elementary School Waldorf | 5.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Washington Mill Elementary Alexandria | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Theodore G. Davis Middle School Waldorf | 5.7 mi | 4.2 |
| North Point High School Waldorf | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Fort Hunt Elementary Alexandria | 7.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodley Hills Elementary Alexandria | 7.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Westlake High School Waldorf | 6.0 mi | 4.4 |
| SMCA White Plains | 6.2 mi | 8.0 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL OF WALDORF Waldorf | 6.0 mi | — |
| Waynewood Elementary Alexandria | 7.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Mount Vernon High Alexandria | 7.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Stratford Landing Elementary Alexandria | 7.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Billingsley Elementary School White Plains | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,560
Median Home Value
$307,900
Median Rent
$1,752/mo
Population
10,254
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
78.7%
Avg Commute
47.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Matthew Henson Middle School has a median household income of $95,560. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $307,900, with a median rent of $1,752/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 48 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| G. James Gholson Middle Landover, MD | 4.2 |
| Oklahoma Road Middle Sykesville, MD | 4.3 |
| General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head, MD | 4.1 |
| Rising Sun Middle School Rising Sun, MD | 4.1 |
| Crestwood Middle Frederick, MD | 4.4 |
| Gaithersburg Middle Gaithersburg, MD | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Matthew Henson Middle School
What grades does Matthew Henson Middle School serve?
Matthew Henson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Matthew Henson Middle School?
Matthew Henson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 675 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Matthew Henson Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Matthew Henson Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Matthew Henson Middle School rank in MD?
Matthew Henson Middle School is ranked #1281 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Matthew Henson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Matthew Henson Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Matthew Henson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Matthew Henson Middle School has 13.3% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Matthew Henson Middle School a charter school?
No, Matthew Henson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Matthew Henson Middle School a Title I school?
No, Matthew Henson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Matthew Henson Middle School?
45.0% of students at Matthew Henson Middle 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,301/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 675
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Charles County
- Phone
- (301) 375-8550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charles County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,765
- Schools in District
- 40
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,415
- District Rank
- #29 of 37
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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