Average
#826 of 1,363 schools in MD
Southern Middle
Middle School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools
5235 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lothian
#2 of 2
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#98 of 224
In district
#80 of 123
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
About Southern Middle
Southern Middle serves grades six through eight in Lothian, Maryland, with an enrollment of 765 students. Located at 5235 Solomons Island Road in a rural area near town, the school is part of Anne Arundel County's public school system. The student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 reflects a staff of 53 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the student body.
Academically, Southern Middle has room for growth in core subjects. ELA and reading proficiency sits at 46 percent, while mathematics proficiency is at 21 percent across grades. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10, with an academic score of 6.1 out of 10.
At the state level, Southern Middle ranks 529th out of 1,364 Maryland schools, placing it in the 61st percentile. These metrics suggest the school is working to strengthen student achievement in math and reading as it supports its middle-grade learners. The rural setting near town offers a distinct community atmosphere for students transitioning through their middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Southern Middle — Students at Southern Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.5%
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: 5.5/10.
How Southern Middle Compares
See how Southern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 22.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 56.2% (2025).
Location
5235 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE SUMMIT SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Middle (rated 5.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Windy Hill Middle (rated 5.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Owings), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lothian, see our Lothian schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lothian Elementary Lothian | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Southern High Harwood | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Deale Elementary Deale | 4.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville | 6.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Patuxent Elementary Upper Marlboro | 5.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Shady Side Elementary Shady Side | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL Upper Marlboro | 6.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Central Special School Edgewater | 7.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Central Middle Edgewater | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| South River High Edgewater | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Elementary Edgewater | 7.4 mi | 9.0 |
| THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Windy Hill Middle Owings | 7.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Mount Harmony Elementary Owings | 8.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Windy Hill Elementary Owings | 7.9 mi | 8.9 |
| CARDINAL HICKEY ACADEMY Owings | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Mayo Elementary Edgewater | 7.3 mi | 5.1 |
| THE WESLEY SCHOOL Owings | 8.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$98,517
Median Home Value
$390,200
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
Population
7,629
College Educated
34.7%
Homeownership
96.5%
Avg Commute
34.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Middle has a median household income of $98,517. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $390,200, with a median rent of $1,577/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| A. Mario Loiederman Middle Silver Spring, MD | 5.9 |
| Arbutus Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.9 |
| Brunswick Middle Brunswick, MD | 5.9 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City, MD | 5.9 |
| Clarksville Middle Clarksville, MD | 5.9 |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle Laurel, MD | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Middle
What grades does Southern Middle serve?
Southern Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern Middle?
Southern Middle has an enrollment of approximately 765 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Middle rank in MD?
Southern Middle is ranked #826 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Southern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Middle has 20.3% math proficiency and 45.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Middle a charter school?
No, Southern Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Middle a Title I school?
No, Southern Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Middle?
47.5% of students at Southern Middle 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
- 765
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Anne Arundel County
- Phone
- (410) 222-1659
- 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
- #80 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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