Needs Improvement
#1335 of 1,363 schools in MD
North Caroline High School
High School · Caroline County Public Schools
10990 River Rd, Ridgely, MD 21660
Enrollment
1,237
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,237
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ridgely
#2 of 2
public schools
Maryland high schools
#216 of 226
In district
#9 of 9
Caroline County Public Schools
About North Caroline High School
North Caroline High School serves 1,237 students in grades 9-12 in Ridgely, Maryland, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1 supported by 77 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #773 out of 1,364 high schools statewide, placing it in the 43rd percentile among Maryland schools. Academically, North Caroline High School shows room for growth, with 44% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 22% reach proficiency in mathematics.
The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, reflecting opportunities for continued academic development and support for its student body. The school serves a community where the median household income is $78,922 and the median home value is $292,300, with a relatively low poverty rate of 5.9%. About 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a working-class community with mixed educational backgrounds.
Located on River Road in Caroline County, North Caroline High School sits in a rural setting near the small town of Ridgely, serving a close-knit community of approximately 4,100 residents who value the quieter pace of rural Maryland living while maintaining access to educational opportunities for their teenagers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Caroline High 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
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North Caroline High School — Students at North Caroline High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
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 North Caroline High School Compares
See how North Caroline High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 5.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 63.4% (2025).
Location
10990 River Rd, Ridgely, MD 21660
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Caroline High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Queen Anne's County High School (rated 6.1/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Centreville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colonel Richardson High School (rated 5.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Federalsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ridgely, see our Ridgely schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21660 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,917
Median Home Value
$322,500
Median Rent
$1,008/mo
Population
4,244
College Educated
17.3%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
36.9 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Caroline High School has a median household income of $76,917. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $322,500, with a median rent of $1,008/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| Joppatowne High Joppa, MD | 3.6 |
| South Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD | 3.6 |
| Williamsport High Williamsport, MD | 3.6 |
| Digital Harbor High School Baltimore, MD | 3.7 |
| Gwynn Park High Brandywine, MD | 3.7 |
| Walkersville High Walkersville, MD | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Caroline High School
What grades does North Caroline High School serve?
North Caroline High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Caroline High School?
North Caroline High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,237 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Caroline High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Caroline High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Caroline High School rank in MD?
North Caroline High School is ranked #1335 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is North Caroline High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Caroline High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 North Caroline High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Caroline High School has 27.8% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Caroline High School a charter school?
No, North Caroline High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Caroline High School a Title I school?
No, North Caroline High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Caroline High School?
52.7% of students at North Caroline High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,237
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 77
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Caroline County
- Phone
- (410) 479-2332
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caroline County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,676
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,385
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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