Dorchester County Public Schools, MD

Original Research by School Decision on Dorchester County Public Schools

Dorchester County Public Schools is the sole district serving Maryland's Eastern Shore county of the same name, a largely rural and coastal area on the Chesapeake Bay. The district enrolls just under five thousand students from preschool through twelfth grade, spread across thirteen schools: two comprehensive high schools, two middle schools, a combined early childhood center, a career and technology center, and seven elementary schools. The student body is roughly split between Black and white students, each making up about two-fifths of enrollment, with a sizeable Hispanic population and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races.

On the district's most recent state assessments, given in grades three through eight, about two out of every five students scored at or above the proficient level in English language arts. In math and science, the share of students reaching that benchmark dropped to roughly one in five. Eighth graders also took a social studies assessment, where roughly two-fifths scored proficient. These are challenging numbers, especially in math and science, where the majority of students are not yet meeting the state's academic standard. A parent considering this district will want to ask what academic supports and interventions are in place for students who are below grade level, and how the district is approaching improvement in those subject areas.

A graduation rate for the district was not reported in the available data, and no information about chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, or staffing ratios was present either. Those are notable gaps, and a family evaluating the district may wish to ask the district directly about high school completion rates and school climate.

Housing in the communities served by Dorchester County Public Schools is notably less expensive than the Maryland state average, with home values spread across a wide range. The most affordable areas, such as Toddville, sit well below the district's weighted average, while more expensive pockets like Taylors Island and parts of Church Creek run substantially higher. The weighted typical home value across the district is moderately below the national figure and well below the state benchmark, putting homeownership within reach for more families than in many parts of Maryland. The county has a mix of small towns, including Cambridge, the county seat, along with Hurlock, Vienna, East New Market, and Federalsburg, each with its own elementary school.

The district's career and technology center provides a dedicated pathway for students interested in skilled trades and technical fields, and both high schools serve communities on the south and north ends of the county. Course access data, such as the availability of Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or other advanced coursework, was not provided. Without that information, a family focused on rigorous academic tracks or early college opportunities will want to check with the individual high schools directly.

No recent district-wide changes, strategic priorities, or parent-relevant developments were found in publicly available sources. The district appears to be operating under a stable, if not deeply documented, status quo. For a family weighing this system, the core picture is a rural Eastern Shore district with a diverse student population, below-average state test results in several subjects, a markedly affordable housing market, and a structure that includes both traditional high schools and a separate career and technical center. The missing data on graduation, discipline, staffing, and advanced coursework means that any serious evaluation will require a conversation with the district office or a visit to individual schools.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,608

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 13%

Black 40%

White 39%

Asian 1%

Two+ 7%

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

43%

63%

Gr 4

31%

53%

Gr 5

29%

—

Gr 6

33%

61%

Gr 7

40%

57%

Gr 8

32%

71%

Gr 38

35%

60%

Math

Gr 3

28%

57%

Gr 4

13%

37%

Gr 5

35%

Gr 6

16%

Gr 7

14%

23%

Gr 8

13%

Gr 38

13%

32%

Science

Gr 5

12%

28%

Gr 8

12%

38%

Gr 38

12%

33%

Social studies

Gr 8

28%

65%

Schools in this District

13 schools are officially reported under this district.

Cambridge-South Dorchester High School

Hurlock Elementary School

Maple Elementary School

North Dorchester High School

North Dorchester Middle School

Sandy Hill Elementary

South Dorchester School

Vienna Elementary School

Warwick Elementary School

Choptank Elementary School

Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center

Dorchester County Career and Technology Center

Mace's Lane Middle School

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

1 grade reported

19%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

43%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

19%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

39%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$276,514

Year-over-year change+2.9%

Range across 15 ZIP codes$118K to $490K

vs. state typical0.64x

vs. national typical0.75x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (15 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
21613	Cambridge	$263K	+0.1%	28.8%
21869	Vienna	$241K	+4.1%	16.3%
21622	Church Creek	$268K	+6.0%	12.1%
21643	Hurlock	$274K	+4.2%	8.7%
21659	Rhodesdale	$306K	+5.0%	8.2%
21631	East New Market	$334K	+2.6%	4.5%
21632	Federalsburg	$244K	-0.9%	2.9%
21669	Taylors Island	$399K	+1.8%	2.8%
21677	Church Creek	$490K	+6.2%	2.5%
21672	Toddville	$118K	+2.5%	1.8%
21648	Madison	$298K	+3.7%	1.8%
19973	Seaford	$316K	+1.7%	1.1%
21634	Fishing Creek	$311K	+7.7%	0.9%
21664	Secretary	$234K	+2.5%	0.1%
21655	Preston	$339K	+2.3%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,395/mo

Home price / national median income3.3x

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.