Very Good
#298 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 22% in state
South Dorchester School
Elementary School · Dorchester County Public Schools · Church Creek, MD
A Dorchester County Public Schools elementary school where students score 47 points above what's typical for similar communities.
3485 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD 21622
- Math 38% vs MD 30% (2025)
- Reading 70% vs MD 51% (2025)
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at South Dorchester School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
2025 MCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MD average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 25 points since 2020, reaching 54% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 62% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 70% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Dorchester School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 3Car-Dependent
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average417/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$69,792
Median home value
$247,600
Median rent
$3,501/mo
College educated
22.5%
Homeownership
89.6%
Poverty rate
3.9%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 21622; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in Dorchester County Public Schools
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurlock Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.4 | PK–5 | Not available | 385 | Compare → |
| Maple Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.1 | PK–5 | Not available | 447 | Compare → |
| Sandy Hill ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 5.2 | PK–5 | Not available | 397 | Compare → |
| Vienna Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.3 | PK–5 | Not available | 188 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Dorchester County Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 13
- Rank in district
- #3 of 11
- District spending per student
- $21,340NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Dorchester School is listed in Dorchester County Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Dorchester School
South Dorchester School is a public elementary school in Church Creek, MD, part of Dorchester County Public Schools, serving approximately 240 students in grades Pre-K-8th with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #298 of 1,363 schools in MD. State assessment records show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about South Dorchester School
What grades does South Dorchester School serve?
South Dorchester School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend South Dorchester School?
South Dorchester School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Dorchester School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Dorchester School 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 South Dorchester School rank in MD?
South Dorchester School ranks #298 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Dorchester School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Dorchester School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 South Dorchester School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Dorchester School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Dorchester School a charter school?
No, South Dorchester School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Dorchester School a Title I school?
No, South Dorchester School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Dorchester School?
100.0% of students at South Dorchester 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dorchester County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.2%
- Phone
- (410) 901-6934
- Area population (ZIP 21622)
- 335
- Area median age
- 58.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 21622; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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