South Dorchester School

Summary:

South Dorchester School is an elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Church Creek, Maryland, with a student population of 225 that is predominantly White (86.67% in 2022-2023). Despite being part of the Dorchester County Public Schools district, which is ranked 18 out of 25 districts in the state, South Dorchester School consistently outperforms the district and the state of Maryland in academic assessments.

In the 2023-2024 school year, 76.8% of South Dorchester students were proficient or better in MCAP English Language Arts, compared to just 33.7% for the district and 48.4% for the state. In mathematics, 45% of South Dorchester students were proficient or better, compared to 12.3% for the district and 24.1% for the state. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.8 to 15 students per teacher over the past three school years, lower than the nearby Sandy Hill Elementary, Choptank Elementary, and Maple Elementary schools in the Dorchester County district.

While South Dorchester School has 100% of its students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage, the school's academic performance suggests that it is able to effectively support its students despite this challenge. This success stands in contrast to the significantly lower academic performance at the nearby Dorchester County schools, highlighting South Dorchester's unique ability to achieve strong results even within a lower-performing district.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 3485 Golden Hill Road
       Church Creek, MD  21622


(410) 901-6934

District: Dorchester County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
159th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $21,128 Help


Students who attend South Dorchester School usually attend:

High:    Cambridge-South Dorchester High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.0 Help
Number of students:  240

Racial breakdown:

White:
85.0%
Hispanic:
6.7%
Two or more races:
4.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South Dorchester School ranks better than 81.5% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks first among 7 ranked elementary schools in the Dorchester County Public Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.82. (See more...)
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Compare Details South Dorchester School ranks better than 97% of middle schools in Maryland. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 94.81. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (85%), Hispanic (6.7%), two or more races (4.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Dorchester School is 16. 5 elementary schools in the Dorchester County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare South Dorchester School employs 15 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Dorchester School is $21,128. 5 elementary schools in the Dorchester County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

South Dorchester School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks South Dorchester School 10th of 328 Maryland public middle schools. (See South Dorchester School in the ranking list.)

Dorchester County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Dorchester County Public Schools 18th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Dorchester School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 50.75 459th 803 42.8%
2005 65.73 297th 805 63.1%
2006 51.13 438th 804 45.5%
2007 68.81 266th 818 67.5%
2008 82.06 104th 838 87.6%
2009 87.09 32nd 850 96.2%
2010 89.09 5th 855 99.4%
2011 90.85 1st 853 99.9%
2012 77.81 149th 857 82.6%
2013 75.69 182nd 847 78.5%
2014 81.90 132nd 867 84.8%
2015 77.71 183rd 859 78.7%
2016 82.52 153rd 845 81.9%
2017 85.67 128th 847 84.9%
2018 81.00 162nd 857 81.1%
2019 80.42 163rd 853 80.9%
2021 70.23 178th 802 77.8%
2022 73.06 235th 862 72.7%
2023 62.95 286th 855 66.5%
2024 80.82 159th 859 81.5%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 72.10 144th 796 81.9%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 73.07 152nd 788 80.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 43.45 275th 528 47.9%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for South Dorchester School

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Rank History for all middle school students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 44.15 146th 252 42.1%
2005 26.04 191st 255 25.1%
2006 55.67 110th 254 56.7%
2007 56.02 115th 264 56.4%
2008 82.87 44th 283 84.5%
2009 77.51 67th 301 77.7%
2010 90.48 3rd 324 99.1%
2011 81.44 51st 309 83.5%
2012 85.69 31st 314 90.1%
2013 92.29 4th 316 98.7%
2014 81.72 60th 339 82.3%
2015 83.59 37th 315 88.3%
2016 85.43 33rd 314 89.5%
2017 80.23 61st 317 80.8%
2018 93.48 19th 328 94.2%
2019 98.18 2nd 316 99.4%
2021 73.17 68th 303 77.6%
2022 88.69 34th 333 89.8%
2023 86.94 31st 322 90.4%
2024 94.81 10th 328 97.0%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Male students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 76.71 55th 288 80.9%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at South Dorchester School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 50.01 105th 210 50.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Dorchester School Test Scores
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Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Dorchester School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 164 7 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 171
1990 166 13 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 180
1991 180 11 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1992 174 12 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 186
1993 169 10 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 179
1994 177 12 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 189
1995 209 8 0 2 3 n/a n/a 0 222
1996 209 8 0 2 3 n/a n/a 0 222
1997 207 7 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 217
1998 216 4 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 223
1999 203 3 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 209
2000 194 2 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 199
2001 203 3 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 209
2002 192 0 0 0 5 n/a n/a 0 197
2003 192 0 0 0 5 n/a n/a 0 197
2004 175 3 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 181
2005 163 3 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 169
2006 177 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 180
2007 214 4 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 219
2008 194 4 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 201
2009 169 9 0 2 3 n/a n/a 0 183
2010 166 4 0 2 5 n/a n/a 0 177
2011 152 3 0 3 1 0 10 0 169
2012 172 5 0 4 0 0 11 0 192
2013 179 2 0 5 0 0 11 0 197
2014 167 1 0 6 2 0 16 0 192
2015 167 1 1 8 1 0 14 0 192
2016 177 4 2 8 1 0 14 0 206
2017 178 4 2 10 1 1 13 0 209
2018 181 3 4 14 0 2 11 0 215
2019 184 2 4 12 0 2 11 0 215
2020 196 1 4 15 0 3 12 0 231
2021 189 1 5 10 0 3 11 0 219
2022 182 0 5 9 0 3 7 0 206
2023 195 1 5 11 0 3 10 0 225
2024 204 5 5 16 0 0 10 0 240

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Dorchester School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 171 10.7 15.9 n/a
1990 180 11.9 15.1 13.3
1991 192 11.1 17.2 14.6
1992 186 11.2 16.6 23.1
1993 179 13.8 13.0 24
1994 189 14.4 13.1 22.8
1995 222 12.4 17.9 22.5
1996 222 12.4 17.9 22.5
1997 217 12.0 18.1 18
1998 223 12.8 17.4 19.3
1999 209 12.9 16.2 23.4
2000 199 15.0 13.3 27.1
2001 209 14.5 14.4 24.9
2002 197 15.5 12.7 22.8
2003 197 15.5 12.7 22.8
2004 181 12.5 14.5 29.3
2005 169 12.0 14.1 30.8
2006 180 11.0 16.4 26.7
2007 219 14.0 15.6 24.7
2008 201 15.0 13.4 24.9
2009 183 15.0 12.2 30.6
2010 177 16.0 11.0 35
2011 169 16.0 10.5 38.5
2012 192 16.0 12.0 35.4
2013 197 16.0 12.3 35.5
2014 192 15.5 12.3 37.5
2015 192 16.0 12.0 37
2016 206 16.0 12.8 45.6
2017 209 15.0 13.9 39.7
2018 215 16.0 13.4 100
2019 215 15.0 14.3 100
2020 231 15.3 15.0 100
2021 219 16.1 13.6 100
2022 206 16.0 12.8 100
2023 225 15.0 15.0 100
2024 240 15.0 16.0 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Dorchester School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 171 10.7 15.9 n/a
1990 180 11.9 15.1 13.3
1991 192 11.1 17.2 14.6
1992 186 11.2 16.6 23.1
1993 179 13.8 13.0 24
1994 189 14.4 13.1 22.8
1995 222 12.4 17.9 22.5
1996 222 12.4 17.9 22.5
1997 217 12.0 18.1 18
1998 223 12.8 17.4 19.3
1999 209 12.9 16.2 23.4
2000 199 15.0 13.3 27.1
2001 209 14.5 14.4 24.9
2002 197 15.5 12.7 22.8
2003 197 15.5 12.7 22.8
2004 181 12.5 14.5 29.3
2005 169 12.0 14.1 30.8
2006 180 11.0 16.4 26.7
2007 219 14.0 15.6 24.7
2008 201 15.0 13.4 24.9
2009 183 15.0 12.2 30.6
2010 177 16.0 11.0 35
2011 169 16.0 10.5 38.5
2012 192 16.0 12.0 35.4
2013 197 16.0 12.3 35.5
2014 192 15.5 12.3 37.5
2015 192 16.0 12.0 37
2016 206 16.0 12.8 45.6
2017 209 15.0 13.9 39.7
2018 215 16.0 13.4 100
2019 215 15.0 14.3 100
2020 231 15.3 15.0 100
2021 219 16.1 13.6 100
2022 206 16.0 12.8 100
2023 225 15.0 15.0 100
2024 240 15.0 16.0 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Dorchester School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,546 (9.6%) $14,619 (90.4%) $16,165
2020 $640 (4.2%) $14,766 (95.8%) $15,406
2021 $1,585 (9.7%) $14,822 (90.3%) $16,407
2022 $855 (5.2%) $15,726 (94.8%) $16,580
2023 $2,196 (10.4%) $18,931 (89.6%) $21,128

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Dorchester School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 163rd of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 286th of 855 Elementary schools
 14.3%
Ranks 2nd of 316 Middle schoolsRanks 31st of 322 Middle schools
 9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students215225
 4.7%
African American21
 50%
American Indian00
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic1211
 8.3%
Pacific Islander23
 50%
White184195
 6%
Two or More Races1110
 9.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


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Frequently Asked Questions about South Dorchester School

South Dorchester School ranks 159th of 859 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 240 students attended South Dorchester School.

Students at South Dorchester School are 85% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Asian.

Students who attend South Dorchester School usually go on to attend:

High : Cambridge-South Dorchester High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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