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Average

#634 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 46% in state

Southern High

High School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools

4400 Solomons Island Rd, Harwood, MD 20776

Enrollment

1,073

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#634 of 1,363

In district

#55 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

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Southern High

6.5/10

High School in Harwood · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lothian Elementary

6.3/10

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

Southern Middle

6.5/10

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

About Southern High

Southern High is a public high school in Harwood, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Southern High serves approximately 1,073 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #634 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Southern High show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Southern High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.1% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation29.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,624
Chronic Absenteeism27.7%

Southern High — Students at Southern High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 77.5% (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
97%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
96%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
98%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
94%
ELA
88%
2015
Math
94%
ELA
90%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
69%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
6.1%
ELA
71.4%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Southern High Compares

See how Southern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MD
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.1
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
29.3% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

4400 Solomons Island Rd, Harwood, MD 20776

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South River High (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Annapolis High (rated 6.7/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harwood, see our Harwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lothian Elementary Lothian 2.9 mi 6.3
Southern Middle Lothian 3.2 mi 6.5
Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville 3.6 mi 8.2
Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville 4.0 mi 5.6
Central Special School Edgewater 4.8 mi 2.5
FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL Upper Marlboro 4.3 mi 5.9
Central Elementary Edgewater 4.8 mi 8.3
South River High Edgewater 4.9 mi 7.9
Central Middle Edgewater 4.8 mi 8.4
Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing 6.2 mi 5.5
THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater 5.3 mi 8.1
Edgewater Elementary Edgewater 5.8 mi 6.9
Patuxent Elementary Upper Marlboro 5.6 mi 4.8
Mayo Elementary Edgewater 6.1 mi 7.2
Deale Elementary Deale 7.2 mi 7.1
Pointer Ridge Elementary Bowie 6.4 mi 6.1
Shady Side Elementary Shady Side 6.4 mi 5.7
Annapolis High Annapolis 7.9 mi 6.7
C. Elizabeth Rieg Mitchellville 7.1 mi 3.3
ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Upper Marlboro 7.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20776 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,440

Median Home Value

$588,400

Population

3,354

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

89.6%

Avg Commute

35 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Frederick Douglass High Upper Marlboro, MD 6.5
Parkside High Salisbury, MD 6.5
Patuxent High Lusby, MD 6.5
Perryville High Perryville, MD 6.5
Calvert High Prince Frederick, MD 6.4
Edgewood High Edgewood, MD 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern High

What grades does Southern High serve?

Southern High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southern High?

Southern High has an enrollment of approximately 1,073 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern High?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern High is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern High rank in MD?

Southern High ranks #634 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southern High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern High 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 Southern High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern High has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern High a charter school?

No, Southern High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern High a Title I school?

No, Southern High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern High?

40.0% of students at Southern 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,073
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Anne Arundel County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.7%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
District Enrollment
84,346
Schools in District
126
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,624
District Rank
#55 of 123

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