Average
#833 of 1,363 schools in MD
Arbutus Middle
Middle School · Baltimore County Public Schools
5525 Shelbourne Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227
Enrollment
983
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
983
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#144 of 267
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#100 of 224
In district
#89 of 169
Baltimore County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Arbutus Middle
Arbutus Middle serves 983 students in grades 6 through 8 in Baltimore County, providing middle school education with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7 to 1 across 59 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 26th percentile among Maryland's middle schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student development. Current academic performance shows 42% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while mathematics presents opportunities for improvement with 11% of students reaching proficiency levels.
The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects these academic challenges, indicating focused attention on strengthening educational outcomes for its student body. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income reaches $78,626 and median home values sit at $259,600. About 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.4% of families experience poverty, creating a mixed socioeconomic environment that brings both resources and challenges to the educational landscape.
Arbutus Middle operates in Baltimore County's large suburban setting, serving families across ZIP code 21227's population of over 35,000 residents. The school's location on Shelbourne Road places it within a well-established suburban community that balances residential stability with the educational needs of nearly 1,000 middle school students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Arbutus Middle — Students at Arbutus Middle score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.
How Arbutus Middle Compares
See how Arbutus Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 19% (2019) to 19.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 49.7% (2025).
Location
5525 Shelbourne Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arbutus Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Bend Elementary/Middle (rated 8.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arbutus Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Catonsville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arbutus Elementary Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Maiden Choice School Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Relay Elementary Baltimore | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Halethorpe Elementary Halethorpe | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| THE LAMB OF GOD SCHOOL Halethorpe | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| THE LAMB OF GOD SCHOOL Halethorpe | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Western School of Technology Baltimore | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Catonsville High Baltimore | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Catonsville Elementary Catonsville | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Beechfield Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| North Bend Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| WATSON HALL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore | 2.4 mi | — |
| APPLE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Catonsville | 2.3 mi | — |
| MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Violetville Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Elkridge | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARK SCHOOL Catonsville | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY Baltimore | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Elkridge Elementary Elkridge | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21227 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,620
Median Home Value
$272,400
Median Rent
$1,347/mo
Population
35,695
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
66.5%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arbutus Middle has a median household income of $83,620. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,400, with a median rent of $1,347/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. Mario Loiederman Middle Silver Spring, MD | 5.9 |
| Brunswick Middle Brunswick, MD | 5.9 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City, MD | 5.9 |
| Clarksville Middle Clarksville, MD | 5.9 |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle Laurel, MD | 5.9 |
| Kingsview Middle Germantown, MD | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arbutus Middle
What grades does Arbutus Middle serve?
Arbutus Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Arbutus Middle?
Arbutus Middle has an enrollment of approximately 983 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arbutus Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Arbutus Middle is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arbutus Middle rank in MD?
Arbutus Middle is ranked #833 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Arbutus Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Arbutus Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arbutus Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arbutus Middle has 15.2% math proficiency and 42.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arbutus Middle a charter school?
No, Arbutus Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arbutus Middle a Title I school?
No, Arbutus Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arbutus Middle?
51.9% of students at Arbutus Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 23 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 50 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 27 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 983
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Baltimore County
- Phone
- (410) 887-1402
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,275
- Schools in District
- 179
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,666
- District Rank
- #89 of 169
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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