Below Average
#1188 of 1,363 schools in MD
South Carroll High
High School · Carroll County Public Schools
1300 West Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
Enrollment
935
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
935
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sykesville
#10 of 11
public schools
Maryland high schools
#161 of 226
In district
#33 of 40
Carroll County Public Schools
About South Carroll High
South Carroll High serves 935 students in grades 9-12 in Sykesville, Maryland, maintaining a manageable 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 54 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #370 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile statewide. Academically, South Carroll High demonstrates particular strength in mathematics, with 62% of students achieving proficient or above levels, while 47% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading.
The school's academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across core subjects. The school draws from an affluent community where families value education, evidenced by the area's median household income of $138,923 and the fact that 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With median home values around $459,700 and a low poverty rate of just 3.5%, students benefit from a stable, supportive home environment that complements their educational experience.
South Carroll High sits in a rural setting along West Old Liberty Road, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while remaining accessible to the broader Carroll County region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Carroll High 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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South Carroll High — Students at South Carroll High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How South Carroll High Compares
See how South Carroll High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 5.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 75.3% (2025).
Location
1300 West Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Carroll High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gateway School (rated 7.4/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty High (rated 5.8/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Century High (rated 4.9/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sykesville, see our Sykesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Winfield Elementary Westminster | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| LEGACY SCHOOL Eldersburg | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Century High Sykesville | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Linton Springs Elementary Sykesville | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Eldersburg Elementary Sykesville | 5.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Piney Ridge Elementary Sykesville | 5.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Liberty High Sykesville | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Freedom District Elementary Sykesville | 5.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Sykesville | 5.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Sykesville Middle Sykesville | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Robert Moton Elementary Westminster | 6.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Flexible Student Support Westminster | 6.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Gateway School Westminster | 6.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Crossroads Middle School Westminster | 6.9 mi | — |
| MOUNT AIRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Airy | 7.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Friendship Valley Elementary Westminster | 7.3 mi | 8.2 |
| PRIDE School Westminster | 7.3 mi | — |
| FRIENDS MEETING SCHOOL Mount Airy | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| IMMANUEL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sykesville | 6.8 mi | — |
| IMMANUEL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Sykesville | 6.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21784 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,228
Median Home Value
$478,200
Median Rent
$1,673/mo
Population
37,813
College Educated
53.2%
Homeownership
87%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Carroll High has a median household income of $141,228. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $478,200, with a median rent of $1,673/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Hill High Cumberland, MD | 4.7 |
| ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL Severn, MD | 4.8 |
| Frederick Douglass High Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
| LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD Towson, MD | 4.8 |
| North Harford High Pylesville, MD | 4.8 |
| The Reach! Partnership School Baltimore, MD | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Carroll High
What grades does South Carroll High serve?
South Carroll High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Carroll High?
South Carroll High has an enrollment of approximately 935 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Carroll High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Carroll High is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Carroll High rank in MD?
South Carroll High is ranked #1188 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Carroll High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Carroll High has a composite rating of 4.7 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 South Carroll High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Carroll High has 51.1% math proficiency and 71.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Carroll High a charter school?
No, South Carroll High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Carroll High a Title I school?
No, South Carroll High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Carroll High?
19.8% of students at South Carroll High 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
- City Safety
- Average (608/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sykesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 935
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Carroll County
- Phone
- (410) 751-3575
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carroll County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,123
- Schools in District
- 44
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,548
- District Rank
- #33 of 40
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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