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Below Average

#1024 of 1,363 schools in MD

General Smallwood Middle School

Middle School · Charles County Public Schools

4990 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640

Enrollment

501

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,024 of 1,363

In Indian Head

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#25 of 37

Charles County Public Schools

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General Smallwood Middle School

4.9/10

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

Henry E. Lackey High School

5.2/10

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

Indian Head Elementary School

4.6/10

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

About General Smallwood Middle School

General Smallwood Middle School is a public middle school in Indian Head, MD, part of Charles County Public Schools. General Smallwood Middle School serves approximately 501 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. General Smallwood Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,024 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for General Smallwood Middle School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at General Smallwood Middle School 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 Progress6.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.6% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,415
Chronic Absenteeism46.7%

General Smallwood Middle School — Students at General Smallwood Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 47.2% (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
65%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
14.6%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How General Smallwood Middle School Compares

See how General Smallwood Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
25th percentile in MD
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.7%

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

4990 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering General Smallwood Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL - ALEXANDRIA (rated 8.8/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gunston Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Lorton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indian Head, see our Indian Head schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Henry E. Lackey High School Indian Head 1.7 mi 5.2
Indian Head Elementary School Indian Head 1.8 mi 4.6
Gale-Bailey Elementary School Marbury 3.0 mi 5.9
Matthew Henson Middle School Indian Head 3.2 mi 4.2
J. C. Parks Elementary School Indian Head 3.3 mi 5.0
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret 6.3 mi 5.5
Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret 6.1 mi 6.4
Gunston Elementary Lorton 7.0 mi 8.2
Washington Mill Elementary Alexandria 7.6 mi 4.7
ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL - ALEXANDRIA Alexandria 7.8 mi 8.8
ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL Alexandria 7.8 mi 9.2
Belmont Elementary Woodbridge 6.8 mi 6.8
Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary Fort Belvoir 8.2 mi 7.8
Fort Belvoir Elementary Fort Belvoir 8.3 mi 4.8
Woodley Hills Elementary Alexandria 8.4 mi 4.2
Woodlawn Elementary Alexandria 8.6 mi 3.7
Potomac View Elementary Woodbridge 6.9 mi 6.1
ENGLESIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 8.7 mi 5.6
Mount Vernon High Alexandria 8.8 mi 6.6
Riverside Elementary Alexandria 9.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,560

Median Home Value

$307,900

Median Rent

$1,752/mo

Population

10,254

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

47.9 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore, MD 5.0
The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.0
Southern Middle School Oakland, MD 4.8
Thurmont Middle Thurmont, MD 4.8
Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School Westover, MD 4.6
Elkton Middle Elkton, MD 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about General Smallwood Middle School

What grades does General Smallwood Middle School serve?

General Smallwood Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend General Smallwood Middle School?

General Smallwood Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 501 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at General Smallwood Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at General Smallwood Middle School 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 General Smallwood Middle School rank in MD?

General Smallwood Middle School ranks #1,024 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is General Smallwood Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

General Smallwood Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 General Smallwood Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, General Smallwood Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is General Smallwood Middle School a charter school?

No, General Smallwood Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is General Smallwood Middle School a Title I school?

No, General Smallwood Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for General Smallwood Middle School?

61.9% of students at General Smallwood Middle School 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Charles County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.7%

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