Average
#626 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 46% 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
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland elementary schools
#551 of 882
In district
#9 of 11
Dorchester County Public Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About South Dorchester School
South Dorchester School serves students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in Church Creek, a rural area of Dorchester County. With 240 students and 15 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, allowing for meaningful classroom interaction in a small-school setting. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 places it in the 78th percentile statewide, ranking #297 among Maryland's 1,364 schools.
Academically, the school scores 8.0 out of 10, with particular strength in English Language Arts, where 60 percent of students perform at proficient levels or above across grade spans. Mathematics presents an area of focus, with 39 percent of students achieving proficiency or above—indicating opportunity for growth and enhanced instructional support in numeracy skills. South Dorchester School's rural location provides a quieter, close-knit community environment for elementary and middle school learners.
The modest enrollment size fosters a personalized approach to education, where teachers can develop stronger relationships with individual students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Dorchester 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
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South Dorchester School — Students at South Dorchester School score 57% 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
↓ 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: 4.6/10.
How South Dorchester School Compares
See how South Dorchester School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 60.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 52.2% (2025).
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. Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus (rated 9.4/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Lusby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Holly Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Lexington Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maple Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), which scores notably higher. 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 | 8.7 |
| Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Cambridge | 11.4 mi | 4.2 |
| OPEN BIBLE ACADEMY Cambridge | 11.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Choptank Elementary School Cambridge | 12.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School Cambridge | 12.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Sandy Hill Elementary Cambridge | 13.7 mi | 7.6 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cambridge | 14.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus Lusby | 13.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Patuxent High Lusby | 14.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Southern Middle Lusby | 14.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Mill Creek Middle Lusby | 14.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Dowell Elementary Lusby | 14.6 mi | 8.4 |
| OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Solomons | 15.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Ridge Middle Lexington Park | 17.3 mi | 4.4 |
| White Marsh Elementary Trappe | 19.8 mi | 7.5 |
| LEXINGTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Lexington Park | 17.3 mi | — |
| Lexington Park Elementary Lexington Park | 17.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Green Holly Elementary School Lexington Park | 17.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Park Hall Elementary Park Hall | 18.7 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Dorchester School has a median household income of $69,792. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL La Plata, MD | 6.6 |
| Bedford Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.6 |
| Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown, MD | 6.6 |
| Indian Queen Elementary Fort Washington, MD | 6.6 |
| John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights, MD | 6.6 |
| Middleborough Elementary Baltimore, MD | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #626 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Dorchester School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Dorchester School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 South Dorchester School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Dorchester School has 44.2% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (417/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (410) 901-6934
- 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
- #9 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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