Excellent
#174 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 13% in state
North Dorchester Middle School
Middle School · Dorchester County Public Schools
5745 Cloverdale Road, Hurlock, MD 21643
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hurlock
#2 of 3
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#4 of 224
In district
#5 of 11
Dorchester County Public Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About North Dorchester Middle School
North Dorchester Middle School is a public middle school in Hurlock, MD, part of the Dorchester County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 423 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 87.3th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 16% proficiency in math, 15 points below the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 10 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $61,708, where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Dorchester 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
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North Dorchester Middle School — Students at North Dorchester Middle School score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How North Dorchester Middle School Compares
See how North Dorchester Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 15.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 61.7% (2025).
Location
5745 Cloverdale Road, Hurlock, MD 21643
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Dorchester Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mace's Lane Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Colonel Richardson Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Federalsburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hurlock, see our Hurlock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Dorchester High School Hurlock | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Hurlock Elementary School Hurlock | 3.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Warwick Elementary School Secretary | 4.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Vienna Elementary School Vienna | 7.1 mi | 9.8 |
| Preston Elementary School Preston | 8.9 mi | 8.4 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cambridge | 7.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Federalsburg Elementary School Federalsburg | 9.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Northwestern Elementary Mardela Springs | 10.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Mardela Middle & High Mardela Springs | 10.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Colonel Richardson High School Federalsburg | 12.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Colonel Richardson Middle School Federalsburg | 12.1 mi | 7.2 |
| SMITHSON'S CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Preston | 12.9 mi | — |
| White Marsh Elementary Trappe | 11.9 mi | 7.5 |
| OPEN BIBLE ACADEMY Cambridge | 11.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Sandy Hill Elementary Cambridge | 11.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Cambridge | 11.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Choptank Elementary School Cambridge | 11.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School Cambridge | 11.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Maple Elementary School Cambridge | 12.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Sussex Montessori School Seaford | 13.4 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21643 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,708
Median Home Value
$220,000
Median Rent
$739/mo
Population
5,176
College Educated
10.5%
Homeownership
84.4%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Dorchester Middle School has a median household income of $61,708. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,000, with a median rent of $739/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Matapeake Middle School Stevensville, MD | 8.1 |
| Snow Hill Middle Snow Hill, MD | 8.7 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School Cambridge, MD | 7.8 |
| Pittsville Elementary & Middle Pittsville, MD | 7.6 |
| Pocomoke Middle Pocomoke City, MD | 9.1 |
| Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle Frederick, MD | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Dorchester Middle School
What grades does North Dorchester Middle School serve?
North Dorchester Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend North Dorchester Middle School?
North Dorchester Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Dorchester Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Dorchester Middle School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Dorchester Middle School rank in MD?
North Dorchester Middle School is ranked #174 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is North Dorchester Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Dorchester Middle School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Dorchester Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Dorchester Middle School has 15.6% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Dorchester Middle School a charter school?
No, North Dorchester Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Dorchester Middle School a Title I school?
No, North Dorchester Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Dorchester Middle School?
100.0% of students at North Dorchester 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hurlock). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 423
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dorchester County
- Phone
- (410) 943-3322
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,608
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,340
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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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