The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 2% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Crisfield Academy and High School
Crisfield Academy and High School is the only public high school serving the city of Crisfield, a small, compact coastal community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that was once known as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” The school serves students from eighth grade through twelfth grade, and it sits within Somerset County Public Schools, a small district that has been under corrective action by the Maryland State Department of Education due to persistently low academic performance. State oversight shapes curriculum decisions, staffing, and resource allocation across the district, and families evaluating the school should understand that this structural intervention is an ongoing factor in the school’s operation.
The student body draws from a community where the economy is centered on retail, health care, and manufacturing, with the largest local employers being McCready Memorial Hospital and a Sherwin-Williams plant. Housing values in the area are well below the state median, reflecting the region’s lower cost of living. A substantial share of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which aligns with the area’s economic profile.
State test results from the most recent available year show that in eighth-grade math, proficiency rates are very low. In eighth-grade English language arts, proficiency is somewhat higher but still below what many families would consider a strong showing. Eighth-grade science results also reflect low proficiency. For social studies, the reported result fell within a range that suggests roughly two-fifths of eighth graders met the proficiency bar. Across these subjects, the tested cohort was relatively small, a function of the school’s enrollment size. The school serves grades eight through twelve, so state testing data is limited to the tested grade levels; families interested in the performance of older students beyond state assessments may want to ask the school directly about course-level outcomes, such as end-of-course exam performance in high school subjects.
The school’s enrollment is modest, and the student population is predominantly white, with a notable Black and Hispanic presence, and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Information on programs such as Advanced Placement, career and technical education, or dual enrollment was not available in the data reviewed, so families should inquire directly with the school about the breadth of course offerings, particularly the availability of college-preparatory and career-oriented pathways.
The city of Crisfield itself is extremely compact and walkable in its downtown core, with a flat topography and a historic district built on discarded oyster shells. The Somers Cove Marina serves as a waterfront hub for community events, and the city is a gateway to Smith Island and Tangier Island via ferry. The community has pursued a strategic revitalization plan, with some downtown condominium development and the opening of a large supermarket in recent years. For a family moving to the area, the school is the natural public option for secondary education, and the smaller scale means students are likely to receive more individualized attention than in a larger comprehensive high school. However, the district’s oversight status and the low state assessment results point to ongoing academic challenges that any prospective family will want to explore further by visiting the school, speaking with staff, and reviewing current course offerings and postsecondary outcomes.
See more original research from School Decision →