Photo: Eric Fischer · CC BY 2.0Salisbury’s public schools score below 80% of Maryland districts on tests and graduation
In Salisbury, 34% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Maryland average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salisbury, 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.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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.
Salisbury’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 90 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Salisbury’s, its schools beat 28%, higher than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 45% and 25% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,183 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (private), Faith Baptist School (private) and Bundles of Joy University (private) are 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.
What’s behind Salisbury’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Maryland school districts, #190 of 261 Maryland towns. Both inputs trail the Maryland average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salisbury, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Salisbury
Wicomico Middle
Grades 6–8 · 827 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Salisbury
Wicomico Middle
Grades 6–8 · 827 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Salisbury
Wicomico Middle
Grades 6–8 · 827 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
James M. Bennett High
Grades 9–12 · 1,474 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Parkside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
James M. Bennett High
Grades 9–12 · 1,474 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Parkside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
James M. Bennett High
Grades 9–12 · 1,474 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Parkside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Salisbury · depends on your address
James M. Bennett High
Grades 9–12 · 1,474 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Parkside High
Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Salisbury’s public schools are run by Wicomico County Public Schools, which also serves Delmar, Fruitland, Hebron and Mardela Springs 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.
Well below the state in reading
Salisbury vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Salisbury’s borders.
Every school in Salisbury
14 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).
Questions about Salisbury’s schools
Are Salisbury’s schools good?
On Maryland’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salisbury children attend score below 80% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #190 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salisbury in?
Wicomico County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 15,582 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Salisbury kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: James M. Bennett High and Parkside High.
What is Salisbury’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Wicomico County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Salisbury spend per student?
$19,183 in Wicomico County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salisbury?
Yes: St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 251 students), Faith Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 143 students) and Bundles of Joy University (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 17 students).
Parents talk
What Salisbury families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salisbury → 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.