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C−
Schools in Cambridge · Dorchester County Public Schools

Cambridge’s public schools score below 84% of Maryland districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Cambridge’s districts is 12%, below the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cambridge, 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.

#193of 261 Maryland townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
29%
▼ 16 pts vs MD 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
12%
▼ 13 pts vs MD 25%
2021–22
Graduate on time
84%
▼ 2 pts vs MD 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$26.3K
▲ 30% vs MD $20.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.9
MD 14.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
2,496 students on the public path
In brief

Cambridge’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 45% and 25% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $26,317 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Mace's Lane Middle School, then Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Open Bible Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓

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 Cambridge’s grade

D Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 16% of Maryland school districts, #193 of 261 Maryland towns. Both inputs trail the Maryland average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Maryland school districts we grade (25)Better than 16%
Lower resultsHigher results
Maryland towns with similar household incomes (49)Better than 12%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,154 test results and a graduating class of 314 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Cambridge’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,115 in math, 2,194 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD− to D
6–8Mace's Lane Middle SchoolDorchester County Public SchoolsC−
9–12Cambridge-South Dorchester High SchoolDorchester County Public SchoolsB+

Cambridge’s public schools are run by Dorchester County Public Schools, which also serves Brookview, Church Creek, East New Market and Eldorado and others. 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.

Dorchester County Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,586 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 13.9 per teacher (MD 14.5)
$26,317MD $20,258 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading29%
State average 45.1% · 2194 students tested
Math12%
State average 24.6% · 2115 students tested

Cambridge vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CambridgeC−Dorchester County

Every school in Cambridge

6 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 Cambridgeby address
Maple Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
483 students15:1Rate it →
Sandy Hill Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
393 students12:1Rate it →
Choptank Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D−
319 students12:1Rate it →
Mace's Lane Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
490 students12:1Rate it →
Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
811 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Open Bible Academy
Grades PK–11
Private · Religious
52 students9:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center and Dorchester County Career and Technology Center).

Questions about Cambridge’s schools

Are Cambridge’s schools good?

On Maryland’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cambridge children attend score below 84% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #193 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Cambridge in?

Dorchester County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,586 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Cambridge kids go to high school?

Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, with 811 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Cambridge’s graduation rate?

84% of the class of 2023 in Dorchester County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.

How much does Cambridge spend per student?

$26,317 in Dorchester County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Cambridge?

Yes: Open Bible Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 52 students).

Parents talk

What Cambridge families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cambridge → 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.