- Maple Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 483 students
- Sandy Hill Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 393 students
- Hurlock Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 391 students
- Warwick Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 346 students
- Choptank Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 319 students
- Vienna Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 183 students
- Mace's Lane Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 490 students
- North Dorchester Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 414 students
- Cambridge-South Dorchester High School — Grades 9–12 · 811 students
- North Dorchester High School — Grades 9–12 · 526 students
- South Dorchester School — Grades PK–8 · 230 students
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| Metric | Dorchester County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 12 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $17,400/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
About Dorchester County Public Schools
Zip code 21613 in Dorchester, Maryland is served by Dorchester County Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Dorchester County Public Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Dorchester County Public Schools runs approximately $17,400 annually, placing it near the Maryland state average of approximately $16,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Dorchester County Public Schools is a large district with 12 schools serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Dorchester County Public Schools 2 out of 10 — low-rated among Maryland public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Maryland is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Dorchester County Public Schools holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Maryland on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 21613
Children in zip code 21613 are assigned to Dorchester County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 21613, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Dorchester County Public Schools at (410)228-4747 or visit www.dcps.k12.md.us. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maryland districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Dorchester
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Dorchester County Public Schools serves zip code 21613, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 21613. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maryland, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Dorchester County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 21613.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Dorchester County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 21613 data.