The reported proficiency rate for Science is 39%.
Original Research by School Decision on Chopticon High
Chopticon High serves grades nine through twelve as a regular public school in St. Mary's County Public Schools. It sits in Morganza, a very small unincorporated community along Route 5 in rural southern Maryland. The school is one of the district's comprehensive high schools and draws students from the surrounding area, which has no downtown or commercial core; the post office sits across the highway, St. Joseph's Catholic Church is nearby, and the landscape is scattered homes and farmland. This is the only public school in Morganza itself.
The student body is large for a single high school. Demographically, it is predominantly white, with a smaller but noticeable share of students who are Black, Hispanic, or identify as two or more races, and very small numbers of Asian and Native American students. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so parents should ask the school directly about those supports.
On state assessments from the most recent testing year, Chopticon's performance is uneven across subjects. English language arts proficiency is solid, with a strong majority of students meeting the bar. Performance in geometry is middling, with roughly half of students proficient, while math overall is much weaker: proficiency in algebra 1 is very low, and algebra 2 is better but still below what many families would hope to see. Science assessment data from an earlier year also showed a modest proficiency rate, though that test was administered to a grade level not served by this high school, so it may reflect a different population. The takeaway is that Chopticon clearly delivers in English, but math achievement is a genuine soft spot. A parent whose child struggles in math or aims for a strong STEM pathway would want to investigate the school's math course sequence and support structures in detail.
No graduation rate was available in the data provided, nor was chronic absenteeism or discipline data, so those important indicators remain unaccounted for here. Parents should request the school's most recent graduation rate and attendance figures directly.
The school operates within St. Mary's County Public Schools, and no significant recent district changes were identified in public reporting. Morganza itself shows no signs of rapid growth or development; it remains a quiet, rural crossroads. Families who value a small-town or country setting and are comfortable with a long drive to commercial amenities may find the location appealing. Those who want a walkable neighborhood or a vibrant town center will not find it here.
Chopticon High is a comprehensive high school with a clear academic strength in English and notable challenges in mathematics. Its large enrollment and rural setting shape the peer environment: most students are white and many come from middle-income or above households, while the free-lunch share suggests a meaningful minority of families with lower income. For a family that prioritizes English instruction and is willing to dig into the math situation, this school could be a reasonable fit. For a family whose child needs strong math preparation or wants a more urban or suburban environment, it likely is not. The missing data on graduation rates, special education, and discipline means that a thorough campus visit and conversation with the school are essential before forming a full judgment.
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