| Metric | St. Marys County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 17,493 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 28 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,022/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 25 rated districts in MD → 74th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Maryland State Dept. of Education MCAP, all grades Proficient Pct, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About St. Marys County Public Schools
Families in zip code 20650 (St. Marys, Maryland) are assigned to St. Marys County Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
St. Marys County Public Schools spent $15,022 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 14% below Maryland’s statewide $17,400 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,284 students, an estimated 92% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
St. Marys County Public Schools is a large district with 28 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 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates St. Marys County Public Schools 7 out of 10 — above average 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 Maryland’s MCAP assessments (2024–25 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.
St. Marys County Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Maryland. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 20650
Children in zip code 20650 are assigned to St. Marys 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 20650, 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 St. Marys County Public Schools at (301)475-5511 or visit www.smcps.org. 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 St. Marys
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because St. Marys County Public Schools serves zip code 20650, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 20650 and neighboring areas. 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 St. Marys 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 20650.
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 St. Marys County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20650 data.