St. Mary's County
Public Schools
About Us
Welcome to St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) where our students graduate ready to take on the challenges of college or careers.
With over 17,000 students, our school system is large enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs and services, yet small enough to maintain an atmosphere of friendliness, helpfulness, and personalized service.
We understand that education must engage students and align to their interests and aspirations. To do this, we provide a tailored educational experience to our learners, offering choice of courses and academic pathways. We are particularly proud of our signature academic pathways: the STEM Academy, The Academy of Global International Studies, The National Academy of Finance and our newest addition, the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Couple this with our James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center and the possibilities for our students reflect the needs of the 21st Century.
Great things are happening in our school system, check out the Annual Report to find out even more.
Our Mission Statement
"Know the learner and the learning, expecting excellence in both. Accept no excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships."
Our work is driven by theses documents:
Organizational Chart
Presents the overall governance and leadership structure of SMCPS without staff names.
At the top is the Board of Education, followed by the Superintendent of Schools, who provides overall leadership for the district.
Directly beneath the Superintendent are:
- Chief of Staff
- Chief Counsel
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Academic Officer
- Deputy Superintendent of Fiscal & Supporting Services
- Deputy Superintendent of Schools
Branches extend from these senior leaders to departmental Directors overseeing major operational, instructional, compliance, and student-support divisions.
A central grouping represents Schools, including principals, assistant principals, teachers, and instructional support staff, showing the instructional core of the school system.
Blueprint for Maryland's Future
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future Act is a piece of legislation intended to enhance and improve the state and local investment in, and school system operation of, Maryland's public schools. Learn more about the Maryland Blueprint with this website or by watching this video.
What's happening?
Annual Report
2022 was an exciting year. With a return to a traditional school year, we have over 17,500 students attending school each day and leaning into closing the learning gaps created over the past three years. Find out more in this year's Annual report.
Student Facts (2024-2025 School Year)
Number of Schools
| Type of School | Number of Schools |
|---|---|
| Elementary | 18 |
| Public Charter | 1 |
| Middle | 4 |
| High | 3 |
| Career & Technology Center | 1 |
| Virtual Academy | 1 |
Enrollment 16,905
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage of Student Base |
|---|---|
| White |
58.9% |
| African American |
19.3% |
| Hispanic |
9.7% |
| Asian |
<5% |
|
American Indian/Alaska Native |
<5% |
|
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
<5% |
|
Two or More Races |
9.3% |
Students Receiving Special Services
| Name of Program | |
|---|---|
| Title I (Elementary Only) |
14.6% |
| Limited English Proficient |
496 |
| Free/Reduced Meals |
38.94% |
| Special Education |
12.5% |
Attendance
| Type of School | Percentage of Student Base |
|---|---|
| Elementary | 92.2% |
| Middle | 91.9% |
| High | 90.3% |
Student Mobility (SY23)
| Name of Program | Percentage of Student Base |
|---|---|
| Elementary | 12.2% |
| Middle | 10.7% |
| High | 7.7% |
Our Staff
Teacher's average years of service is 13.76 years.
| Type of Staff | Number of Staff |
|---|---|
| Professional Staff | 1493 |
| Classified Staff | 856 |
Average Class Size
| Grade | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Pre-Kindergarten | 18.4 |
| Kindergarten | 19 |
| 1-2 | 19.4 |
| 3-5 | 21.5 |
| 6-8 | 21.9 |
| 9-12 | 21.1 |
Educational Pathways Enrollment
| Name of Pathways | Number of Student Base |
|---|---|
| Chesapeake Public Charter (K-8) | 540 |
| J.A. Forrest Center (10-12) | 1,101 |
| Academy of Finance (9-12) | 355 |
| Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (9-11) | 63 |
| Global & International Studies (9-12) | 74 |
| STEM Academies (6-12) | 296 |
| Virtual Academy (9-12) | 94 |
Class of 2022
| Students Post Graduation | Percentage of Student Base |
|---|---|
| Graduation Rate (5-year Cohort, Class of 2021) |
91.17% |
| Graduation Rate (4-Year Cohort, Class of 2022) |
91.74% |
| Attend a 4-Year College | 34% |
| Attend a 2-year College and Transfer to a 4-year College |
23% |
| Attend a 2-Year College | 8% |
| Attend a Trade/Technical School | 3% |
| Enter the Workforce | 19% |
| Enter the Military | 7% |
| Scholarships Offered | $32.4M |
ELL Program
Approximately 494 students participate in the program for English Language Learners (ELL)
Early Childhood
There are 540 full day Pre-Kindergarten 4 spaces in SMCPS.
Each elementary school houses a program or there is access at a neighboring school for eligible children.
For general questions regarding Early Childhood Education, please contact the Department of Equity, Engagement, and Early Access.
(301) 475-5511, ext. 32136 or email cmwoodley@smcps.org.
Upcoming Events
SMCPS Calendar
Professional Day – No School for Students – Staff Development – Professional Responsibilities
all day
BOE Meetings
BOE Meeting
-
SMCPS Calendar
Two Hour Early Dismissal – Professional Responsibilities – End of 3 rd Marking Period (46 days)
all day