State ‘Report Card’ Shows Dorchester Schools Are Improving

Dorchester County Public Schools, long near the bottom of Maryland’s education rankings, are showing real signs of progress, with two schools receiving four of five stars, and a countywide performance moving upward, according to the Maryland State Department of Education’s latest Maryland School Report Card, released Tuesday.  

A year ago, Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson launched a districtwide improvement drive called “23 No More,” a reference to Dorchester’s standing as the second-to-last of Maryland’s 24 school systems.  

In the district’s 2024 Strategic Plan, Thompson set a bold goal of moving Dorchester from 23rd to at least 15th statewide. The new 2025 data show the district moving in that direction. 

While Maryland no longer issues official numerical rankings for its 24 school systems, Dorchester’s performance has improved from the 23rd position identified in its earlier internal analysis. The district’s overall score continues to rise, reflecting steady progress toward the goals outlined in its strategic improvement plan. 

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our students, teachers, and staff,” Thompson told The Spy. “These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and supporting every student’s growth.” 

Thompson added, “We have made great strides, but still have a lot of work to do,” and that the system “remains focused on continuous improvement and the implementation of our strategic plan to continue these positive trends.”     

Progress on the Ground 

The 2025 results highlight encouraging gains across nearly every school: 

• Cambridge–South Dorchester High School – Increased to a three-star rating, up from two stars last year, with total points rising from 41.65 to 45.20. This improvement reflects continued academic recovery and stronger graduation outcomes, despite ongoing attendance challenges. 

• Choptank Elementary – Maintained a two-star rating, yet saw one of the largest single-year point gains, rising over 10 points (from 32.22 to 43.12), putting it within two points of achieving a three-star rating. 

• Hurlock Elementary – Sustained its three-star rating, holding steady with 52.11 total points, demonstrating consistent student growth. 

• Maple Elementary – Increased over 10 points (46.70 to 58.52), maintaining its three-star rating and coming within two points of earning a four-star distinction. 

• North Dorchester High School – Maintained its three-star rating, with gradual gains from 48.74 to 50.54 points, and improved graduation and growth measures. 

• North Dorchester Middle School – Rose from a two-star to three-star with notable gains, improving nearly eight points (50.47 to 58.23) and now within two points of a four-star rating. 

• Sandy Hill Elementary – Increased from two to three stars, improving from 40.36 to 47.91 points, with better attendance and reading performance. 

• South Dorchester School – Maintained a four-star rating, continuing as one of the district’s strongest performers with consistently high achievement and engagement measures. 

• Vienna Elementary – Improved from three to four stars, with more than a 10-point increase (51.88 to 63.98), reflecting strong reading growth and steady attendance. 

• Warwick Elementary – Maintained a three-star rating, though total points dipped slightly, suggesting areas for renewed focus. 

• Mace’s Lane Middle School – Remained a two-star school, with only a slight increase (33.53 to 33.75 points), continuing to face challenges in math and attendance. 

Overall, 75 percent of Dorchester schools (9 of 12) now hold three or more stars, a clear signal of improvement from prior years. 

Countywide Trends 

Across all schools, Dorchester’s average score climbed to roughly 52 points out of 100, up from about 49 a year earlier, according to the data.  The state average stands near 57.  No Dorchester School earned just one star, three schools increased their number of stars, and three more schools are within two points of moving to the next star level.   

The county’s reading performance continues to outpace its math performance.  Attendance improved significantly: roughly three-quarters of students now attend regularly, compared with barely half during the first post-pandemic year. That gain, education officials note, is the foundation for every other improvement. 

What it Means 

For a district once burdened with being next-to-last in the state, the 2025 results represent a first step in the right direction.  The four-star schools show what sustained effort can yield, and the cluster of three-star schools suggests that growth is spreading across the system. 

Mathematics and middle-school attendance remain stubborn weaknesses, but the district’s recent investment in structured literacy, multi-tiered support systems, and teacher coaching appears to be paying off in reading and engagement. 

 If the system can sustain its current pace of improvement, Dorchester could reach the top 15 within the next few years. For now, the 2025 report card shows something that once seemed distant: measurable progress and a path forward. 

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Dorchester County Public Schools 

2025 Report Card – At a Glance

Overall Performance

• Districtwide average: ≈52 points (up from 49 in 2024)
• 75 percent of schools now hold three stars or higher
• No schools rated at one star
• Attendance: about 75 percent of students attend regularly (up sharply since 2022)

Top-Performing Schools

• Four-Star: South Dorchester School, Vienna Elementary
• Three-Star Schools Near Four-Star Threshold: Maple Elementary, North Dorchester Middle, Sandy Hill Elementary, North Dorchester High

Academic Highlights

• Most schools met state “improvement flags” for multiple domains, including academic achievement, progress, and attendance.
• Reading performance continues to outpace math.
• Graduation rate: nearly 94 percent districtwide

Key Focus Areas

• Strengthening math outcomes and middle school attendance
• Sustaining gains through the “23 No More” strategic plan