Below Average
#1271 of 1,363 schools in MD
Rising Sun High
High School · Cecil County Public Schools
100 Tiger Dr, North East, MD 21901
Enrollment
1,088
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,088
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North East
#4 of 5
public schools
Maryland high schools
#187 of 226
In district
#23 of 28
Cecil County Public Schools
About Rising Sun High
Rising Sun High serves 1,088 students in grades 9-12 in North East, Maryland, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 across 68 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 6.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks in the 65th percentile statewide at #483 among Maryland's 1,364 high schools. Academically, Rising Sun High demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics shows room for growth, with 30% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development and educational progress. The school draws from a stable community in Cecil County, where families enjoy a median household income of $105,876 and median home values around $314,900.
About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.7%. This economic stability provides a supportive foundation for the school's educational mission. Rising Sun High sits in a rural setting near the town of North East, offering students a close-knit learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rising Sun High 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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Rising Sun High — Students at Rising Sun High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33%
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: 2.8/10.
How Rising Sun High Compares
See how Rising Sun High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 12.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 69.8% (2025).
Location
100 Tiger Dr, North East, MD 21901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rising Sun High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY (rated 9.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Colora), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oxford Area High School (rated 5.5/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Oxford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North East, see our North East schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Calvert Elementary Rising Sun | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Bay View Elementary North East | 3.8 mi | 3.5 |
| MEDIA AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL C/O ANDY KING Oxford | 3.9 mi | 3.3 |
| WEAVER DAY SCHOOL Oxford | 4.8 mi | — |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Oxford | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Oxford Area High School Oxford | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Hopewell El Sch Oxford | 6.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Nottingham School Oxford | 6.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Penn's Grove School Oxford | 6.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Jordan Bank School Oxford | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Elk Ridge School Oxford | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Leeds Elementary Elkton | 5.2 mi | 8.0 |
| PEACEDALE AMISH SCHOOL Oxford | 5.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Rising Sun Elementary Rising Sun | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Rising Sun Middle School Rising Sun | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
| North East Middle North East | 6.5 mi | 4.6 |
| ELK CREEK SCHOOL Oxford | 6.5 mi | 2.1 |
| North East Elementary North East | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| THE TOME SCHOOL North East | 7.1 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY Colora | 5.8 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,107
Median Home Value
$342,800
Median Rent
$1,418/mo
Population
19,585
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rising Sun High has a median household income of $113,107. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,800, with a median rent of $1,418/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Middletown High Middletown, MD | 4.3 |
| Owings Mills High Owings Mills, MD | 4.3 |
| Patterson High Baltimore, MD | 4.3 |
| Randallstown High Randallstown, MD | 4.3 |
| ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL Severn, MD | 4.2 |
| Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Cambridge, MD | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rising Sun High
What grades does Rising Sun High serve?
Rising Sun High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rising Sun High?
Rising Sun High has an enrollment of approximately 1,088 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rising Sun High?
The student-teacher ratio at Rising Sun High is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rising Sun High rank in MD?
Rising Sun High is ranked #1271 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Rising Sun High's MySchoolScout rating?
Rising Sun High has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Rising Sun High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rising Sun High has 36.0% math proficiency and 65.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rising Sun High a charter school?
No, Rising Sun High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rising Sun High a Title I school?
No, Rising Sun High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rising Sun High?
33.0% of students at Rising Sun 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North East). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,088
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cecil County
- Phone
- (410) 658-9115
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cecil County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,997
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,748
- District Rank
- #23 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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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