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Needs Improvement

#1230 of 1,363 schools in MD

Southern Middle

Middle School · Calvert County Public Schools

9615 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657

Enrollment

430

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,230 of 1,363

In Lusby

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#22 of 23

Calvert County Public Schools

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Southern Middle

3.9/10

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

Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus

6.2/10

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

Mill Creek Middle

5.4/10

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 Lusby, MD, part of Calvert County Public Schools. Southern Middle serves approximately 430 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,230 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.0
  • 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.

33% of students at Southern Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.9% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,606
Chronic Absenteeism32.6%

Southern Middle — Students at Southern Middle score 27% 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

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 55.6% (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
83%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
33%
2025
Math
12.4%
ELA
41.9%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Southern Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
10th percentile in MD
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

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

9615 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Esperanza Middle (rated 6.3/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Lexington Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mill Creek Middle (rated 5.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lusby, see our Lusby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus Lusby 2.2 mi 6.2
Mill Creek Middle Lusby 3.1 mi 5.4
Dowell Elementary Lusby 3.5 mi 6.0
Patuxent High Lusby 3.6 mi 6.5
St Leonard Elementary St. Leonard 4.9 mi 6.0
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Solomons 5.7 mi 5.9
Mutual Elementary Port Republic 6.5 mi 7.2
Town Creek Elementary Lexington Park 7.6 mi 6.7
Green Holly Elementary School Lexington Park 8.0 mi 7.0
Hollywood Elementary Hollywood 7.1 mi 7.2
Esperanza Middle Lexington Park 8.2 mi 6.3
HOLLYWOOD UMC CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Hollywood 7.8 mi 2.3
ST JOHN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hollywood 8.0 mi 5.2
Greenview Knolls Elementary Great Mills 9.1 mi 6.0
STARMARKER SCHOOL EARLY EDUCATION WILDWOOD California 8.5 mi
LEXINGTON PARK BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Lexington Park 10.1 mi
Lexington Park Elementary Lexington Park 10.1 mi 4.3
Evergreen Elementary School California 9.8 mi 7.3
George Washington Carver Elementary Great Mills 11.0 mi 4.9
Great Mills High Great Mills 11.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20657 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$117,776

Median Home Value

$317,600

Median Rent

$1,716/mo

Population

20,519

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

87.5%

Avg Commute

40.5 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Vanguard Collegiate Middle Baltimore, MD 3.7
Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School Westover, MD 4.6
Southern Middle School Oakland, MD 4.8
Thurmont Middle Thurmont, MD 4.8
General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head, MD 4.9
Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore, MD 5.0

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 430 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Middle rank in MD?

Southern Middle ranks #1,230 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% 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?

47.2% 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Calvert County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

District

Calvert County Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,179
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,606
District Rank
#22 of 23

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