The St. Mary's County Public School System is a quality prekindergarten through 12th grade system located in beautiful Southern Maryland.  The system has 19 elementary schools (including a public charter school), 4 middle schools, 3  high schools, and a career/technology center.  The system also provides a comprehensive special education program for students ages birth through 21, middle and  high school summer school programs, and Educational Pathways--STEM Academies at all three levels that provide a rigorous curriculum focused on mathematics and science with an infusion of technology and engineering; an Academy of Finance; Academy of Visual and Performing Arts; Global and International Studies Academy; and alternative pathways to high school success (Fairlead Academy i and II which are 9th-12th grade programs geared toward preventing high school dropouts).