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Stephen Decatur High

Summary:

Stephen Decatur High is a public high school in Berlin, Maryland, serving 1,431 students in grades 9-12. It is part of the Worcester County Public Schools district, which is ranked 4 out of 25 in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Stephen Decatur High performs better than the state average in English Language Arts proficiency, with 72.2% of 10th-grade students and 72.2% of all grades being proficient or better, the school lags behind the state and district averages in Mathematics proficiency, with only 23.2% of all grades being proficient or better. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 24th out of 32 Maryland high schools in 2020-2021 (1-star rating) to 56th out of 127 in 2022-2023 (3-star rating), suggesting inconsistent performance compared to other Maryland high schools.

Another area of concern is the school's declining racial diversity, with the percentage of white students increasing from 76.41% in 2020-2021 to 74.35% in 2022-2023, while the percentage of African American and Hispanic students has decreased. The school also faces significant achievement gaps among student subgroups, with the school ranking 29th out of 35 Maryland high schools for male students, 14th out of 14 for African American students, and 34th out of 40 for white students, all with 1-star ratings in 2020-2021. The school should focus on addressing these areas of concern to improve overall student outcomes and provide a more equitable and high-quality education for all its students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 9913 Seahawk Rd
       Berlin, MD  21811-3551

(410) 641-2171

District: Worcester County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
71st of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,623 Help


Feeder schools for Stephen Decatur High:

Elementary:    Buckingham Elementary
    Ocean City Elementary
    Showell Elementary
Middle:    Berlin Intermediate
    Stephen Decatur Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  1,403

Racial breakdown:

White:
74.3%
African American:
8.8%
Hispanic:
8.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  38.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Stephen Decatur High ranks better than 51.4% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked high schools in the Worcester County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 45.47. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Stephen Decatur High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Stephen Decatur High has the largest high school student body size in the Worcester County Public Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (74.3%), African American (8.8%), Hispanic (8.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 38.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur High is 16.6, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Worcester County Public Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Stephen Decatur High employs 84.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Stephen Decatur High is $20,623. 2 high schools in the Worcester County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Stephen Decatur High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Stephen Decatur High 71st of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Stephen Decatur High in the ranking list.)

Worcester County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Worcester County Public Schools 4th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Stephen Decatur High

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Rank History for all students at Stephen Decatur High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 47.81 91st 201 54.7%
2005 49.16 108th 204 47.1%
2006 61.09 75th 204 63.2%
2007 56.47 99th 209 52.6%
2008 68.15 92nd 214 57.0%
2009 65.19 105th 213 50.7%
2010 65.70 99th 220 55.0%
2011 62.17 85th 183 53.6%
2012 63.88 81st 187 56.7%
2013 58.89 95th 185 48.6%
2014 71.25 81st 231 64.9%
2015 67.60 49th 233 79.0%
2016 73.09 30th 233 87.1%
2017 59.69 55th 180 69.4%
2018 72.03 26th 197 86.8%
2019 63.94 40th 138 71.0%
2021 41.06 24th 32 25.0%
2022 52.05 62nd 225 72.4%
2023 50.20 56th 127 55.9%
2024 45.47 71st 146 51.4%
See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

Rank History for Male students at Stephen Decatur High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 41.65 29th 35 17.1%
See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Stephen Decatur High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 24.21 14th 14 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Stephen Decatur High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 32.39 34th 40 15.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Stephen Decatur High Test Scores
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Stephen Decatur High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 650 162 17 10 0 n/a n/a 0 839
1990 642 163 23 18 0 n/a n/a 0 846
1991 639 173 7 13 0 n/a n/a 0 832
1992 638 175 10 14 0 n/a n/a 0 837
1993 679 193 16 7 0 n/a n/a 0 895
1994 699 209 17 13 0 n/a n/a 0 938
1995 767 223 22 7 1 n/a n/a 0 1020
1996 767 223 22 7 1 n/a n/a 0 1020
1997 816 232 17 10 1 n/a n/a 0 1076
1998 830 251 26 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1111
1999 897 245 21 6 1 n/a n/a 0 1170
2000 973 252 15 8 0 n/a n/a 0 1248
2001 1001 226 13 10 1 n/a n/a 0 1251
2002 1062 210 10 20 0 n/a n/a 0 1302
2003 1062 210 10 20 0 n/a n/a 0 1302
2004 1143 196 12 23 0 n/a n/a 0 1374
2005 1147 200 6 30 1 n/a n/a 0 1384
2006 1140 197 9 43 0 n/a n/a 0 1389
2007 1176 193 14 52 1 n/a n/a 0 1436
2008 1131 190 16 50 2 n/a n/a 0 1389
2009 1136 180 18 51 5 n/a n/a 0 1390
2010 1162 193 12 58 8 n/a n/a 0 1433
2011 1137 185 16 69 7 0 22 0 1436
2012 1103 163 21 69 7 0 36 0 1399
2013 1047 157 23 63 6 0 45 0 1341
2014 1046 143 22 50 4 0 51 0 1316
2015 1026 137 24 61 3 0 48 0 1299
2016 1054 147 27 71 5 2 40 0 1346
2017 1048 159 24 74 6 0 40 0 1351
2018 1012 158 31 89 3 1 54 0 1348
2019 1040 151 24 90 2 3 53 0 1363
2020 1015 137 23 96 1 1 55 0 1328
2021 1046 121 25 105 1 1 70 0 1369
2022 1087 129 25 118 1 0 84 0 1444
2023 1064 126 22 127 4 0 88 0 1431
2024 1043 124 24 115 3 0 94 0 1403

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Stephen Decatur High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 839 51.3 16.3 n/a
1990 846 51.5 16.4 8.4
1991 832 53.5 15.5 9.9
1992 837 52.5 15.9 16.4
1993 895 53.5 16.7 15.3
1994 938 53.5 17.5 17.1
1995 1020 57.1 17.9 15.9
1996 1020 57.1 17.9 15.9
1997 1076 59.0 18.2 18.7
1998 1111 61.0 18.2 17.9
1999 1170 61.0 19.2 19.2
2000 1248 64.5 19.3 19.1
2001 1251 68.5 18.3 19.5
2002 1302 69.5 18.7 20.5
2003 1302 69.5 18.7 20.5
2004 1374 77.7 17.7 21.7
2005 1384 81.0 17.1 22.6
2006 1389 83.0 16.7 20.5
2007 1436 84.5 17.0 21
2008 1389 90.5 15.3 20.3
2009 1390 90.5 15.4 22.2
2010 1433 88.9 16.1 26.1
2011 1436 87.9 16.3 26.9
2012 1399 88.9 15.7 28.4
2013 1341 88.9 15.0 29.2
2014 1316 84.9 15.4 29
2015 1299 86.0 15.1 29.2
2016 1346 86.0 15.6 28.9
2017 1351 84.5 15.9 33.4
2018 1348 84.5 15.9 32.3
2019 1363 86.0 15.8 30.6
2020 1328 86.4 15.3 29.6
2021 1369 87.0 15.7 31.7
2022 1444 87.0 16.5 32.5
2023 1431 87.0 16.4 42.3
2024 1403 84.5 16.6 38.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Stephen Decatur High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 839 51.3 16.3 n/a
1990 846 51.5 16.4 8.4
1991 832 53.5 15.5 9.9
1992 837 52.5 15.9 16.4
1993 895 53.5 16.7 15.3
1994 938 53.5 17.5 17.1
1995 1020 57.1 17.9 15.9
1996 1020 57.1 17.9 15.9
1997 1076 59.0 18.2 18.7
1998 1111 61.0 18.2 17.9
1999 1170 61.0 19.2 19.2
2000 1248 64.5 19.3 19.1
2001 1251 68.5 18.3 19.5
2002 1302 69.5 18.7 20.5
2003 1302 69.5 18.7 20.5
2004 1374 77.7 17.7 21.7
2005 1384 81.0 17.1 22.6
2006 1389 83.0 16.7 20.5
2007 1436 84.5 17.0 21
2008 1389 90.5 15.3 20.3
2009 1390 90.5 15.4 22.2
2010 1433 88.9 16.1 26.1
2011 1436 87.9 16.3 26.9
2012 1399 88.9 15.7 28.4
2013 1341 88.9 15.0 29.2
2014 1316 84.9 15.4 29
2015 1299 86.0 15.1 29.2
2016 1346 86.0 15.6 28.9
2017 1351 84.5 15.9 33.4
2018 1348 84.5 15.9 32.3
2019 1363 86.0 15.8 30.6
2020 1328 86.4 15.3 29.6
2021 1369 87.0 15.7 31.7
2022 1444 87.0 16.5 32.5
2023 1431 87.0 16.4 42.3
2024 1403 84.5 16.6 38.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Stephen Decatur High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $686 (4.4%) $14,832 (95.6%) $15,518
2020 $589 (3.6%) $15,769 (96.4%) $16,358
2021 $884 (5.4%) $15,384 (94.6%) $16,268
2022 $1,045 (6.3%) $15,539 (93.7%) $16,584
2023 $3,898 (18.9%) $16,725 (81.1%) $20,623

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Stephen Decatur High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 40th of 138 High schoolsRanks 56th of 127 High schools
 15.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students13631431
 5%
African American151126
 16.6%
American Indian24
 100%
Asian2422
 8.3%
Hispanic90127
 41.1%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White10401064
 2.3%
Two or More Races5388
 66%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30.6%42.3%
 11.7%

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Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Decatur High

Stephen Decatur High ranks 71st of 146 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Stephen Decatur High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Buckingham Elementary
Elementary : Ocean City Elementary
Elementary : Showell Elementary
Middle : Berlin Intermediate
Middle : Stephen Decatur Middle

Students at Stephen Decatur High are 74% White, 9% African American, 8% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,403 students attended Stephen Decatur High.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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