LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County Public Schools is asking families and community members to weigh in on a new round of redistricting proposals as Community Survey #2 opens as part of the ongoing Facility Utilization and School Boundary Study.
The survey, available through Dec. 5, 2025, asks respondents to rate their level of support for several possible boundary options for elementary, middle and high schools that were presented during Countywide Community Forum #2 held Nov. 12–14. Residents can complete the survey for one or more grade spans, and the district estimates it takes about 10 minutes to finish. Input will help shape recommendations to the Board of Education early next year.
The redistricting study is focused on balancing enrollment and building capacity, planning for future growth, and expanding access to academic and extracurricular opportunities while using school facilities efficiently. District priorities include relieving overcrowding, optimizing use of buildings and maximizing opportunities for student achievement within available resources.
Community Survey #1, conducted earlier in the fall, drew 3,467 responses. Participants placed a high priority on safety and security, access to a wide range of courses and activities, and ensuring funding for facilities benefits as many students as possible. Many respondents also emphasized minimizing the number of families moved, keeping neighborhoods together, and supporting well-funded teachers and transportation.
At the second forum, planners outlined three draft options for elementary and middle schools and three for high schools. One set of options seeks to balance utilization across the county, another focuses on easing over- and undercrowding while moving the fewest students possible, and a third would close and repurpose White Marsh Elementary School to consolidate students into more modernized facilities and free up funds for other needs. High school options would shift portions of the current Leonardtown High School attendance area to Chopticon and Great Mills to create a more even distribution of enrollment among the three campuses.
Survey #2 invites families, staff, students and residents to react to those specific options and trade-offs before any final recommendation is made. Results will be shared with the School Boundary Realignment Committee, the superintendent and the Board of Education as they refine scenarios ahead of public hearings in early 2026.
Community members can take the survey at www.smcps.org/redistrictingsurvey and review the full presentation materials, data tables and draft maps at www.smcps.org/redistricting/options.
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