Very Good
#298 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 22% in state
South Dorchester School
Elementary School · Dorchester County Public Schools
3485 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD 21622
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#298 of 1,363
In district
#3 of 11
Dorchester County Public Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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South Dorchester School
Elementary School in Church Creek · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Visionquest Morning Star Youth Academy
7.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Maple Elementary School
11.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Dorchester School
South Dorchester School is a public elementary school in Church Creek, MD, part of Dorchester County Public Schools. South Dorchester School serves approximately 240 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. South Dorchester School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #298 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for South Dorchester School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 7.0
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
South Dorchester 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Dorchester School — Students at South Dorchester School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
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 28 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: 7.6/10.
How South Dorchester School Compares
See how South Dorchester School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3485 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD 21622
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Dorchester School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. White Marsh Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Trappe), with a very similar rating. Another option is Maple Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Green Holly Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Lexington Park), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Church Creek, see our Church Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VISIONQUEST MORNING STAR YOUTH ACADEMY Woolford | 7.7 mi | — |
| Maple Elementary School Cambridge | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Cambridge | 11.4 mi | 4.8 |
| OPEN BIBLE ACADEMY Cambridge | 11.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Choptank Elementary School Cambridge | 12.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School Cambridge | 12.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Sandy Hill Elementary Cambridge | 13.7 mi | 5.2 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cambridge | 14.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus Lusby | 13.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Patuxent High Lusby | 14.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Southern Middle Lusby | 14.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Mill Creek Middle Lusby | 14.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Dowell Elementary Lusby | 14.6 mi | 6.0 |
| OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Solomons | 15.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Ridge Middle Lexington Park | 17.3 mi | 5.9 |
| White Marsh Elementary Trappe | 19.8 mi | 7.9 |
| LEXINGTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Lexington Park | 17.3 mi | — |
| Lexington Park Elementary Lexington Park | 17.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Green Holly Elementary School Lexington Park | 17.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Park Hall Elementary Park Hall | 18.7 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21622 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,792
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Population
335
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
89.6%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
58.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Silver Spring, MD | 7.9 |
| White Marsh Elementary Trappe, MD | 7.9 |
| City Neighbors Hamilton Baltimore, MD | 8.0 |
| H. H. Garnett Elementary Chestertown, MD | 8.0 |
| MOTHER OF GOD SCHOOL Gaithersburg, MD | 8.0 |
| Northeast Elementary Cumberland, MD | 8.0 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dorchester County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.2%
- Phone
- (410) 901-6934
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,608
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,340
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
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