Dorchester County Public Schools yesterday received encouraging results in the 2024 Maryland State Report Card, released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). North Dorchester Middle School and Mace’s Lane Middle School each gained a star, with the remainder of schools holding steady. There was districtwide improvement in the percentage of students proficient in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, as well as improved performance levels by students in those subjects. In addition, graduation and attendance rates showed improvement over the previous year.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jymil Thompson expressed satisfaction with the overall positive trend but noted that the improvement is not uniform across all schools. “While our schools have shown movement in a positive direction, some areas and schools have seen significant gains with others advancing more slowly,” he said. “To achieve our ambitious goal of moving from 23rd to 15th in academic performance statewide, a larger percentage of growth is necessary. Continued focus on targeted strategies and interventions will be crucial to accelerate this progress.”
Schools can earn between one and five stars based on multiple indicators, including non-academic measures. Elementary and middle school indicators include Academic Achievement, Academic Progress, Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency, and School Quality and Student Success. High school indicators are Academic Achievement, Graduation Rate, Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency, Readiness for Postsecondary Success, and School Quality and Student Success. More detailed information regarding specific schools’ results can be found at https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.