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Average

#647 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 47% in state

John T. Baker Middle School

Middle School · Montgomery County Public Schools

25400 Oak Dr, Damascus, MD 20872

Enrollment

842

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#647 of 1,363

In Damascus

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#146 of 206

Montgomery County Public Schools

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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John T. Baker Middle School

6.5/10

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

Damascus High

6.7/10

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

Clearspring Elementary

9.2/10

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

About John T. Baker Middle School

John T. Baker Middle School is a public middle school in Damascus, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. John T.

Baker Middle School serves approximately 842 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John T. Baker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #647 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for John T. Baker Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

John T. Baker Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.5% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,456
Chronic Absenteeism24.6%

John T. Baker Middle School — Students at John T. Baker Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 64.8% (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
84%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
95%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
25.2%
ELA
58.5%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How John T. Baker Middle School Compares

See how John T. Baker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in MD
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

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

25400 Oak Dr, Damascus, MD 20872

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John T. Baker Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hallie Wells Middle (rated 8.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Clarksburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Windsor Knolls Middle (rated 7.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Ijamsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocky Hill Middle (rated 6.4/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Clarksburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Damascus, see our Damascus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Damascus High Damascus 0.7 mi 6.7
Clearspring Elementary Damascus 0.8 mi 9.2
Damascus Elementary Damascus 0.9 mi 6.1
Lois P. Rockwell Elementary Damascus 1.2 mi 7.8
Cedar Grove Elementary Germantown 1.8 mi 9.3
Woodfield Elementary Gaithersburg 1.8 mi 9.2
Hallie Wells Middle Clarksburg 3.1 mi 8.9
Wilson Wims Elementary School Clarksburg 3.4 mi 9.7
Snowden Farm Elementary Clarksburg 3.7 mi 9.0
Kemptown Elementary Monrovia 3.9 mi 7.5
Little Bennett Elementary Clarksburg 3.6 mi 8.0
Clarksburg High Clarksburg 4.2 mi 6.8
Rocky Hill Middle Clarksburg 4.3 mi 6.4
Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown 4.7 mi 6.2
OPTIMAL LEARNING SCHOOL Germantown 4.8 mi
Clarksburg Elementary Clarksburg 4.2 mi 8.3
Windsor Knolls Middle Ijamsville 4.6 mi 7.7
William B. Gibbs Jr. Elementary Germantown 5.2 mi 8.8
FRIENDS MEETING SCHOOL Ijamsville 4.8 mi 7.2
Neelsville Middle Germantown 5.6 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20872 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,804

Median Home Value

$478,300

Median Rent

$1,675/mo

Population

13,138

College Educated

46.7%

Homeownership

89.1%

Avg Commute

36.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

41.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Havre de Grace Middle Havre De Grace, MD 6.5
Ridgeview Middle Gaithersburg, MD 6.5
Southern Middle Lothian, MD 6.5
Washington Middle Cumberland, MD 6.5
Dumbarton Middle Baltimore, MD 6.6
New Market Middle New Market, MD 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John T. Baker Middle School

What grades does John T. Baker Middle School serve?

John T. Baker Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend John T. Baker Middle School?

John T. Baker Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 842 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John T. Baker Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at John T. Baker Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John T. Baker Middle School rank in MD?

John T. Baker Middle School ranks #647 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is John T. Baker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

John T. Baker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 John T. Baker Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John T. Baker Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is John T. Baker Middle School a charter school?

No, John T. Baker Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John T. Baker Middle School a Title I school?

No, John T. Baker Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John T. Baker Middle School?

34.6% of students at John T. Baker 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

District

Montgomery County Public Schools
District Enrollment
160,223
Schools in District
211
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,456
District Rank
#146 of 206

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