Average
#1077 of 1,363 schools in MD
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
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,073
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland high schools
#121 of 226
In district
#106 of 123
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
About Southern High
Southern High serves 1,073 students in grades 9-12 in Harwood, Maryland, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 66 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #492 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 64th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. Academically, Southern High shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 58% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 32% of students achieve proficiency or above. The school's overall academic score of 7.3 out of 10 reflects its solid foundation while highlighting opportunities for continued improvement. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $118,092 and median home values average $584,700.
With 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 3.9%, the surrounding area provides a supportive educational environment. The 20776 ZIP code encompasses a population of 2,966 residents. Southern High sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities in Anne Arundel County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern 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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Southern High — Students at Southern High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40%
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: 2.3/10.
How Southern High Compares
See how Southern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 6.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 71.4% (2025).
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. Annapolis High (rated 6.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Annapolis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South River High (rated 5.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.5 |
| Southern Middle Lothian | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Central Special School Edgewater | 4.8 mi | 4.1 |
| FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL Upper Marlboro | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Central Elementary Edgewater | 4.8 mi | 9.0 |
| South River High Edgewater | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Middle Edgewater | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater | 5.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Edgewater Elementary Edgewater | 5.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Patuxent Elementary Upper Marlboro | 5.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Mayo Elementary Edgewater | 6.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Deale Elementary Deale | 7.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Pointer Ridge Elementary Bowie | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Shady Side Elementary Shady Side | 6.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Annapolis High Annapolis | 7.9 mi | 6.3 |
| C. Elizabeth Rieg Mitchellville | 7.1 mi | 5.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern High has a median household income of $122,440. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $588,400. The local poverty rate of 7.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver Vocational-Technical High Baltimore, MD | 5.1 |
| Damascus High Damascus, MD | 5.1 |
| Edmondson-Westside High Baltimore, MD | 5.1 |
| Henry E. Lackey High School Indian Head, MD | 5.1 |
| JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL Bel Air, MD | 5.1 |
| La Plata High School La Plata, MD | 5.1 |
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 is ranked #1077 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Southern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern High has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Southern High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern High has 35.0% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Phone
- (410) 867-7100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Anne Arundel County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 84,346
- Schools in District
- 126
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,624
- District Rank
- #106 of 123
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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