Best Public Schools in Ridgely, MD

The city of Ridgely, Maryland is home to two schools: North Caroline High School and Ridgely Elementary School, both part of the Caroline County Public Schools district. While the schools share some similarities, such as high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, they also exhibit notable differences in student performance and demographics.

North Caroline High School stands out for its relatively large student enrollment of 1,226 and diverse student population, with 58.16% White, 11.17% African American, and 22.92% Hispanic students. However, the school struggles with low performance on MCAP/Mathematics tests, with only 15.7% of students proficient or better, compared to the state average of 24.1%. In contrast, Ridgely Elementary School, with a smaller enrollment of 444 students, demonstrates relatively strong performance on MCAP/Mathematics tests, with 25.5% of students proficient or better.

The data also reveals significant differences in racial demographics and academic performance between the two schools. Ridgely Elementary School has a predominantly White student population (72.3%), while North Caroline High School has a more diverse student body. This disparity may indicate the need to examine equity and inclusion practices within the school district. Additionally, the high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients at both schools, ranging from 55.18% to 59.14%, suggest a need for targeted support programs to address economic disadvantages among the student populations.