Average
#736 of 1,363 schools in MD
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
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Damascus
#2 of 5
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#78 of 224
In district
#129 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About John T. Baker Middle School
John T. Baker Middle School serves grades six through eight in Damascus, Maryland, a rural area near town in Montgomery County. With an enrollment of 842 students and 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, providing reasonable classroom sizes for middle grades instruction.
Academically, the school has room for growth across core subjects. English language arts shows stronger performance, with 52% of students testing proficient or above across grades. Mathematics presents a greater challenge, with 24% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks.
The school's overall academic score of 6.4 out of 10 reflects these mixed results, and it ranks in the 57th percentile among Maryland schools. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 6.0 out of 10 indicates a middle-performing institution working to support its student body. For families considering John T.
Baker, the relatively manageable class sizes and rural setting may appeal to those seeking a smaller-town educational environment, though parents should be aware of the current achievement levels and discuss academic support options with school staff.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, John T. Baker Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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John T. Baker Middle School — Students at John T. Baker Middle School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How John T. Baker Middle School Compares
See how John T. Baker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 33.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 60.8% (2025).
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 6.8/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Clarksburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Neelsville Middle (rated 6.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Germantown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Windsor Knolls Middle (rated 5.5/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Ijamsville), with a comparable 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 | 5.1 |
| Clearspring Elementary Damascus | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Damascus Elementary Damascus | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Lois P. Rockwell Elementary Damascus | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Cedar Grove Elementary Germantown | 1.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Woodfield Elementary Gaithersburg | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Hallie Wells Middle Clarksburg | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Wilson Wims Elementary School Clarksburg | 3.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Snowden Farm Elementary Clarksburg | 3.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Kemptown Elementary Monrovia | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Little Bennett Elementary Clarksburg | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Clarksburg High Clarksburg | 4.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Rocky Hill Middle Clarksburg | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary Germantown | 4.7 mi | 6.4 |
| OPTIMAL LEARNING SCHOOL Germantown | 4.8 mi | — |
| Clarksburg Elementary Clarksburg | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Windsor Knolls Middle Ijamsville | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| William B. Gibbs Jr. Elementary Germantown | 5.2 mi | 7.2 |
| FRIENDS MEETING SCHOOL Ijamsville | 4.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Neelsville Middle Germantown | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John T. Baker Middle School has a median household income of $132,804. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $478,300, with a median rent of $1,675/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bel Air Middle Bel Air, MD | 6.2 |
| Catonsville Middle Catonsville, MD | 6.2 |
| Dumbarton Middle Baltimore, MD | 6.2 |
| Monocacy Middle Frederick, MD | 6.2 |
| Newport Mill Middle Kensington, MD | 6.2 |
| Parkville Middle Baltimore, MD | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #736 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is John T. Baker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John T. Baker Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 John T. Baker Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John T. Baker Middle School has 26.3% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- Phone
- (240) 207-2440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #129 of 206
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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