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Average

#633 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 46% in state

Southern Middle

Middle School · Anne Arundel County Public Schools

5235 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711

Enrollment

765

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#633 of 1,363

In Lothian

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#54 of 123

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Southern Middle

6.5/10

Middle School in Lothian · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lothian Elementary

6.3/10

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

Traceys Elementary

5.5/10

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

About Southern Middle

Southern Middle is a public middle school in Lothian, MD, part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Southern Middle serves approximately 765 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #633 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Middle show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Southern Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.2% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.6% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,624
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

Southern Middle — Students at Southern Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 59.8% (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
78%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
23.2%
ELA
57.6%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Southern Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MD
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

5235 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Middle (rated 8.4/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE SUMMIT SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Windy Hill Middle (rated 7.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Owings), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.3
Traceys Elementary Traceys Landing 3.1 mi 5.5
Southern High Harwood 3.2 mi 6.5
Carrie Weedon Early Education Center Galesville 3.5 mi 5.6
Deale Elementary Deale 4.4 mi 7.1
Davidsonville Elementary Davidsonville 6.8 mi 8.2
Patuxent Elementary Upper Marlboro 5.4 mi 4.8
Shady Side Elementary Shady Side 5.7 mi 5.7
FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL Upper Marlboro 6.5 mi 5.9
Central Special School Edgewater 7.3 mi 2.5
Central Middle Edgewater 7.2 mi 8.4
South River High Edgewater 7.3 mi 7.9
Central Elementary Edgewater 7.4 mi 8.3
THE SUMMIT SCHOOL Edgewater 7.2 mi 8.1
Windy Hill Middle Owings 7.8 mi 7.0
Mount Harmony Elementary Owings 8.0 mi 8.3
Windy Hill Elementary Owings 7.9 mi 7.6
CARDINAL HICKEY ACADEMY Owings 8.0 mi 5.7
Mayo Elementary Edgewater 7.3 mi 7.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Havre de Grace Middle Havre De Grace, MD 6.5
John T. Baker Middle School Damascus, MD 6.5
Ridgeview Middle Gaithersburg, MD 6.5
Washington Middle Cumberland, MD 6.5
Dumbarton Middle Baltimore, MD 6.6
New Market Middle New Market, MD 6.6

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 ranks #633 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Middle 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Middle has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

District

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

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