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Average

#937 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

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#937 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#104 of 267

public schools

In district

#70 of 169

Baltimore County Public Schools

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Arbutus Middle

5.3/10

Middle School in Baltimore · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Arbutus Elementary

6.6/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Maiden Choice School

2.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Arbutus Middle

Arbutus Middle is a public middle school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Arbutus Middle serves approximately 983 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Arbutus Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #937 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Arbutus Middle show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Arbutus Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.7% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,666
Chronic Absenteeism31.6%

Arbutus Middle — Students at Arbutus Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
78%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
15.3%
ELA
48.7%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Arbutus Middle Compares

See how Arbutus Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
31th percentile in MD
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5525 Shelbourne Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arbutus Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Western School of Technology (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Catonsville Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elkridge Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Elkridge), 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 6.6
Maiden Choice School Baltimore 0.9 mi 2.5
Relay Elementary Baltimore 1.2 mi 4.7
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.1
Halethorpe Elementary Halethorpe 1.2 mi 6.2
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 8.8
Catonsville High Baltimore 1.6 mi 6.2
Catonsville Elementary Catonsville 2.1 mi 7.5
Beechfield Elementary/Middle Baltimore 2.3 mi 3.9
North Bend Elementary/Middle Baltimore 2.4 mi 5.8
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 5.4
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 7.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Drew-Freeman Middle District Heights, MD 5.3
Edgewood Middle Edgewood, MD 5.3
Odessa Shannon Middle Silver Spring, MD 5.3
Annapolis Middle Annapolis, MD 5.2
James Madison Middle Forestville, MD 5.2
Northeast Middle Pasadena, MD 5.2

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 ranks #937 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Arbutus Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Arbutus Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arbutus Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Arbutus Middle has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
50 Good Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.6%

District

Baltimore County Public Schools
District Enrollment
110,275
Schools in District
179
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,666
District Rank
#70 of 169

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