New Test Scores Show Calvert Leading Southern Maryland Schools

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Calvert County students posted Southern Maryland’s highest proficiency rates in English and math on the latest state assessments, while St. Mary’s County also exceeded statewide averages in both subjects.

Charles County improved in English but remained below the Maryland average in English and math, according to 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results.

Across all tested grades, 66.6% of Calvert students scored proficient in English language arts. St. Mary’s recorded a 58.5% proficiency rate, while Charles reached 45.6%. The statewide rate was 51.7%.

MCAP is Maryland’s annual testing system for measuring how well students understand state academic standards. English and math assessments are given in grades three through eight and once in high school. Students reaching the top two of four performance levels are considered proficient.

Schools use the results with classroom work and other assessments to identify subjects and student groups that may need additional support.

The differences among Southern Maryland’s school systems were wider in math. Calvert recorded a 37.9% proficiency rate, followed by St. Mary’s at 36%. Charles recorded a 17% proficiency rate, compared with 27.1% statewide.

All three local school systems improved in English from 2025. Calvert increased by less than half a percentage point, St. Mary’s gained about 1.2 points and Charles improved by nearly 1.8 points.

Calvert recorded a year-to-year improvement in math, rising nearly 5 percentage points from 33% in 2025. St. Mary’s gained about 1 point, while Charles remained nearly unchanged.

The Calvert County Public Schools breakdown shows particularly strong results in third-grade math, where 60% of students reached proficiency compared with 42.6% statewide. Calvert also exceeded Maryland averages in fifth- and eighth-grade science.

Statewide, the results showed only modest movement from the previous year. English proficiency increased by less than 1 percentage point, while math also rose by less than 1 point. Math continued to lag behind English across Maryland.

An analysis presented to the State Board of Education on Aug. 25 found that 16% of students who were below proficiency in English in 2025 reached proficiency this year. In math, 6% made that transition.

The analysis also found that achievement gaps remained among student groups, with economically disadvantaged students, multilingual learners and students with disabilities recording lower proficiency rates statewide.

Taken together, the results show three different academic pictures across Southern Maryland: Calvert led the region in English and math proficiency rates, St. Mary’s remained above state averages and Charles made progress in English while recording a math proficiency rate below the statewide average. Local school systems will use the results alongside classroom performance and other assessments to determine where additional instruction and student support are needed.

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