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2016-07-20 20 05 12 View northwest up the Patuxent River from the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge (Maryland State Route 4) along the border of Solomons, Calvert County, Maryland and California, St. Mary's County, Maryland just before sunsetPhoto: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in California · St. Marys County Public Schools

California’s public schools outscore 68% of Maryland districts

On the state math tests, 33% of California’s students scored proficient, above the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving California, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.

#87of 261 Maryland townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
52%
▲ 7 pts vs MD 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▲ 8 pts vs MD 25%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 5 pts vs MD 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.2K
▼ 10% vs MD $20.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.4
MD 14.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
7,168 students on the public path
In brief

California’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 192 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of California’s, its schools beat 62%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 52% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,215 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind California’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Maryland school districts, #87 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Maryland school districts we grade (25)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maryland towns with similar household incomes (192)Better than 62%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 8,766 test results and a graduating class of 1,371 could put California anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of California’s students in the tested grades sat them (8,717 in math, 8,815 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve California, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC to B−
6–8Esperanza MiddleSt. Marys County Public SchoolsB+
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressA to A+

California’s public schools are run by St. Marys County Public Schools, which also serves Leonardtown. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

St. Marys County Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 26 schools · 16,905 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 16.4 per teacher (MD 14.5)
$18,215MD $20,258 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 45.1% · 8815 students tested
Math33%
State average 24.6% · 8717 students tested

California vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share California’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CaliforniaB+St. Marys County

Every school in California

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Californiaby address
Green Holly Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Lexington Park
C
478 students12:1Rate it →
Greenview Knolls Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Great Mills
C
294 students12:1Rate it →
Town Creek Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Lexington Park
B−
220 students13:1Rate it →
Esperanza Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Lexington Park
B+
835 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Californiain other towns
Leonardtown High
High · Grades 9–12 · Leonardtown
A+
2,118 students22:1Rate it →
Great Mills High
High · Grades 9–12 · Great Mills
A
1,697 students19:1Rate it →
Chopticon High
High · Grades 9–12 · Morganza
A
1,526 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about California’s schools

Are California’s schools good?

By Maryland’s own tests, yes: the public schools California children attend outscore 68% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #87 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 62%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is California in?

St. Marys County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,905 students in 26 schools (2024–25).

Where do California kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Leonardtown High, Great Mills High and Chopticon High.

What is California’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in St. Marys County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.

How much does California spend per student?

$18,215 in St. Marys County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What California families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near California → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.