Education

They have some of the highest rated schools in the country, both public and private, and a 5000-student university in St. Mary’s City. Welcome to St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) where over 94% of our students graduate ready to take on the challenges of college or careers. With approximately 18,000 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.  Our work is driven by three planning documents. Links to each are below:
• Recovery Plan
• 2020 Annual Report
• Bridge to Excellence Master Plan
• Educational Facilities Master Plan
• Capital Improvement Plan

St. Mary's County Public School

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.

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St. Mary's Ryken

St. Mary's Ryken is a private school committed to providing a highly competitive, yet affordable, college preparatory education to students in the Southern Maryland region. SMR is one of 13 schools in the Xaverian Brothers tradition throughout the United States, and we adhere to the Xaverian motto: "Inspiring Lives of Learning, Faith & Service." 

Over their four years at SMR, students grow within a mentoring and caring environment that fosters opportunities for each student to develop individual gifts and talents and prepares them to become role models and leaders in their communities.

The years a student spends at St. Mary's Ryken are marked not only by a challenging college preparatory program, but also by rewarding opportunities for service, the forming of lifelong friendships, and the camaraderie of being part of athletics, extracurricular activities and shared celebrations of faith.

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The Calverton School

The Calverton School founded in 1967, is an independent college preparatory school serving students from early childhood through Grade 12. Calverton prides itself on providing a challenging college-preparatory program in an environment that promotes honesty, tolerance, respect, and responsibility. Small class sizes and excellent student-to-teacher ratios ensure that each student is challenged in every aspect of school endeavor. Our small school size provides each student the opportunity to contribute to the larger community and helps to create an inclusive school that celebrates diversity and helps each student reach his or her potential. The school provides students with experiences of diversity and welcomes students of all races, socioeconomic backgrounds and beliefs. The Calverton School, steeped in a solid academic tradition, educates students to have the independence of judgment, personal freedom, and strength of character so that they can become leaders with broad intellectual horizons.

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The College of Southern Maryland

The College of Southern Maryland is a public, regional community college with a far-reaching goal—to help our students and community meet the challenges of individual, social, and global changes.

Our Mission
The College of Southern Maryland enhances lives and strengthens the economic vitality of a diverse and changing region by providing affordable postsecondary education, workforce development, and cultural and personal enrichment opportunities.

Our Vision
Transforming lives through lifelong learning and service.

Our Values
Diversity, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Knowledge, Respect, Teamwork

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