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#889 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

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#889 of 1,363

In Ridgely

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

Caroline County Public Schools

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North Caroline High School

5.5/10

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

Lockerman Middle School

4.6/10

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

Denton Elementary School

7.5/10

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

About North Caroline High School

North Caroline High School is a public high school in Ridgely, MD, part of Caroline County Public Schools. North Caroline High School serves approximately 1,237 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. North Caroline High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #889 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for North Caroline High School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

North Caroline High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

38% of students at North Caroline High School 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 Progress6.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.97 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation3.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,385
Chronic Absenteeism37.7%

North Caroline High School — Students at North Caroline High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.5% (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
89%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
91%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
86%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
44%
2025
Math
10.3%
ELA
63.4%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How North Caroline High School Compares

See how North Caroline High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in MD
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3.1
Sports
4
1 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
3.1% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
1 boys'·3 girls'·10 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

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 6.7/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Centreville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colonel Richardson High School (rated 6.6/10, 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 mi
School Distance Rating
Lockerman Middle School Denton 1.4 mi 4.6
Denton Elementary School Denton 2.7 mi 7.5
Ridgely Elementary School Ridgely 3.8 mi 5.6
Greensboro Elementary School Greensboro 5.6 mi 6.3
THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL Ridgely 7.0 mi 7.5
Colonel Richardson High School Federalsburg 10.6 mi 6.6
Colonel Richardson Middle School Federalsburg 10.7 mi 6.6
SMITHSON'S CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preston 11.0 mi
Chapel District Elementary Cordova 9.5 mi 8.6
Preston Elementary School Preston 14.1 mi 7.4
Federalsburg Elementary School Federalsburg 15.4 mi 5.9
PARKERS CHAPEL AMISH SCHOOL Marydel 14.8 mi
Centreville Middle School Centreville 14.2 mi 7.3
Queen Anne's County High School Centreville 14.5 mi 6.7
CHESAPEAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easton 14.6 mi 6.6
Kennard Elementary School Centreville 15.0 mi 6.4
Delaware Early Childhood Center Harrington 13.9 mi 4.8
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Easton 15.1 mi 7.2
Lake Forest South Elementary School Harrington 13.9 mi 6.3
Chipman (W.T.) Middle School Harrington 14.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Catoctin High Thurmont, MD 5.5
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret, MD 5.5
Watkins Mill High Gaithersburg, MD 5.5
Elkton High Elkton, MD 5.4
Manchester Valley High Manchester, MD 5.6
Northeast High Pasadena, MD 5.6

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 ranks #889 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is North Caroline High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Caroline High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 North Caroline High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Caroline High School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.7%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

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