Cecil County Public Schools, MD

Original Research by School Decision on Cecil County Public Schools

Cecil County Public Schools covers a broad stretch of northeastern Maryland, running from the Susquehanna River east to the Delaware line. The district serves a mix of small towns—Elkton, North East, Perryville, Rising Sun, Chesapeake City—and the rural countryside between them. It is the sole public school system in the county, so every student in Cecil County attends here or chooses a private or homeschool option.

On the 2024-25 Maryland state assessments, which cover grades three through eight, the district posted proficiency rates that are modest. In English language arts, roughly four in ten students scored at the proficient level or above. In math, the figure was about two in ten. Science proficiency came in at about a quarter of students tested, and social studies at roughly four in ten. These results describe the district's overall performance across its elementary and middle schools. Parents looking at specific schools should note that the district operates a dozen elementary schools, five middle schools, and four comprehensive high schools, plus a career and technical education center called the Cecil County School of Technology. The district also serves pre-kindergarten. Graduation rate data was not available in the information reviewed.

A major facilities change is underway. The district is combining Bohemia Manor High School and Bohemia Manor Middle School into a single shared campus building, with completion expected in August 2026. That will reshape the secondary experience for families in the Chesapeake City region, the Bohemia Manor feeder area. Separately, the district faced a budget crunch in spring 2024, warning that without full county funding it would have to cut positions, reduce pre-K programs, and increase class sizes. The county ultimately provided the full requested amount, described as record funding, in the fiscal year 2026 budget. The episode shows that district finances have been a live issue; families may want to monitor future budget cycles.

Housing in Cecil County is priced below the Maryland statewide average. The weighted typical home value across the district's thirteen ZIP codes is around the national median, and a bit below the state figure. Rents tend to run a little above the national typical rent. The area is broadly affordable compared to closer-in Baltimore or Washington suburbs, though costs vary by town: Warwick and Chesapeake City are on the higher end, while small communities like Cecilton and Charlestown are lower. The economic context shows a moderate unemployment rate nationally, and typical mortgage rates near historic highs, which affects monthly costs for buyers.

Student composition in the district is predominantly white, with a substantial Black population and a Hispanic population of roughly similar size. Smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and Native American students round out the enrollment. The district enrolls around fifteen thousand students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals was not available, nor were figures on students with disabilities or English learners. That information would give a fuller picture of the student support landscape.

For families deciding where to settle in Cecil County, the district offers a conventional public school experience in a largely rural and small-town setting. Academic proficiency on state tests is in the moderate range, with math being a particular area where the district's scores are lower than the state average. The range of high school options includes four traditional high schools plus a separate technology center for career and technical education, giving students pathways beyond the college-prep track. The district's recent budget history signals that program stability can't be taken for granted, but the immediate crisis was resolved. Anyone looking to understand a specific school within the district will need to dig into that school's own results, staffing, and course offerings, as the district-level picture is an average across many varied attendance zones.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

14,997

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 10%

Black 11%

White 70%

Asian 1%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

30%

54%

Gr 4

31%

50%

Gr 5

28%

49%

Gr 6

29%

55%

Gr 7

35%

59%

Gr 8

32%

61%

Gr 38

31%

55%

Math

Gr 3

20%

49%

Gr 4

15%

37%

Gr 5

14%

28%

Gr 6

21%

Gr 7

10%

22%

Gr 8

Gr 38

12%

29%

Science

Gr 5

24%

Gr 8

18%

42%

Gr 38

14%

33%

Social studies

Gr 8

24%

49%

Schools in this District

29 schools are officially reported under this district.

Bainbridge Elementary

Bay View Elementary

Bohemia Manor High

Calvert Elementary

Cecil Manor Elementary

Cecilton Elementary

Charlestown Elementary

Cherry Hill Middle

Chesapeake City Elementary

Conowingo Elementary

Elkton Middle

Elkton High

Gilpin Manor Elementary

Holly Hall Elementary

Leeds Elementary

North East Elementary

North East Middle

North East High

Perryville Elementary

Perryville High

Perryville Middle

Rising Sun Elementary

Rising Sun Middle School

Thomson Estates Elementary

Bohemia Manor Middle

Cecil County School of Technology

Kenmore Elementary

Elk Neck Elementary

Rising Sun High

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

21%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

43%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

24%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

38%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$401,949

Year-over-year change+1.4%

Range across 13 ZIP codes$275K to $565K

vs. state typical0.93x

vs. national typical1.09x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (13 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
21921	Elkton	$372K	+1.5%	27.4%
21901	North East	$394K	-0.1%	14.0%
21919	Earleville	$376K	+1.2%	12.4%
21911	Rising Sun	$397K	+1.8%	10.8%
21912	Warwick	$565K	+4.3%	9.8%
21904	Port Deposit	$400K	+1.0%	6.8%
21915	Chesapeake City	$407K	+2.0%	6.6%
21918	Conowingo	$396K	+1.2%	5.1%
21903	Perryville	$349K	+0.1%	3.7%
21917	Colora	$409K	+1.4%	2.3%
21913	Cecilton	$303K	-3.0%	0.4%
21920	Elkton	$275K	-1.1%	0.3%
21914	Charlestown	$336K	-0.2%	0.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,833/mo

Year-over-year change+2.8%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,753 to $1,874/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
21921	Elkton	$1,874	+3.5%	27.4%
21901	North East	$1,753	+1.3%	14.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,028/mo

Home price / national median income4.8x

Annual rent / national median income26.3%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$195/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$431,934 (+0.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.