Total enrollment
5,648
+95 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
Caroline County
Maryland · Public K-12
Caroline County runs 10 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 565 students. By level, that breaks down as 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Caroline County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Caroline County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Maryland | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 39.5% | #14 of 24 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 5,648 | #19 of 24 | #1,217 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #21 of 24 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.4:1 | #7 of 24 | #1,067 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 65.9% | #6 of 24 | #866 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 63.3% | #12 of 23 | #400 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Caroline County school rankings
Residents
33,669
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
1 districts
Enrollment
5,648
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$68,457
Below Maryland avg
Free/reduced lunch
65.9%
Above Maryland avg
Elementary
5
2,665 students
Middle
2
1,217 students
High
3
1,766 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Caroline County Public Schools
5,648 students · 1 district in Caroline County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Caroline County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
16.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.7%
civilian labor
Median age
40
23.9% under 18
Test scores in Caroline County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. Maryland state average: 51.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Denton Elementary School· 65.2%
- Colonel Richardson High School· 63.5%
- North Caroline High School· 63.4%
- Ridgely Elementary School· 61.1%
- Colonel Richardson Middle School· 57.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Federalsburg Elementary School· 41.4%
- Greensboro Elementary School· 42.3%
- Preston Elementary School· 47.7%
- Lockerman Middle School· 50.8%
- Colonel Richardson Middle School· 57.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Caroline High School | Ridgely | High | 09-12 | 1,238 | · |
| Greensboro Elementary School | Greensboro | Elementary | PK-05 | 840 | · |
| Lockerman Middle School | Denton | Middle | 06-08 | 827 | · |
| Denton Elementary School | Denton | Elementary | PK-05 | 596 | · |
| Colonel Richardson High School | Federalsburg | High | 09-12 | 528 | · |
| Ridgely Elementary School | Ridgely | Elementary | PK-05 | 433 | · |
| Federalsburg Elementary School | Federalsburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 415 | · |
| Colonel Richardson Middle School | Federalsburg | Middle | 06-08 | 390 | · |
| Preston Elementary School | Preston | Elementary | PK-05 | 381 | · |
| Caroline Career & Technology Center | Ridgely | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Caroline County
About Caroline County
In Maryland, Caroline County is a sparse county of about 33,669 residents. 10 public schools across the county serves about 5,648 students between them.
Zooming out, census numbers show median household income runs near $68,457, about 16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 29% meaningfully below the Maryland median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Caroline County is built around 5 elementary schools (2,665 students), 2 middle schools (1,217), and 3 high schools (1,766).
Caroline County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 5,648 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Caroline County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 5,553 students to 5,648.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Caroline County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data