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Below Average

#1065 of 1,363 schools in MD

Southern Middle School

Middle School · Garrett County Public Schools

605 Harvey Winters Road, Oakland, MD 21550

Enrollment

448

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,065 of 1,363

In Oakland

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#12 of 12

Garrett County Public Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Middle School

4.8/10

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

Broad Ford Elementary

6.3/10

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

Southern Garrett High School

6.0/10

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

About Southern Middle School

Southern Middle School is a public middle school in Oakland, MD, part of Garrett County Public Schools. Southern Middle School serves approximately 448 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,065 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • MD avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-5.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,520
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Southern Middle School — Students at Southern Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
88%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
39%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Southern Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
22th percentile in MD
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

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

605 Harvey Winters Road, Oakland, MD 21550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Northern Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Accident), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Preston Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Kingwood), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Broad Ford Elementary Oakland 0.1 mi 6.3
Southern Garrett High School Oakland 0.9 mi 6.0
Yough Glades Elementary Oakland 1.5 mi 5.4
Swan Meadow School Oakland 5.4 mi 5.6
Crellin Elementary Oakland 4.9 mi 6.3
Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta 8.5 mi 7.1
Union Educational Complex Mount Storm 11.1 mi 7.4
SWANTON MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP SCHOOL Swanton 10.7 mi
Aurora School Aurora 11.1 mi 8.7
Accident Elementary Accident 15.0 mi 9.1
Elk Garden School Elk Garden 12.4 mi 2.8
BITTINGER MENNONITE SCHOOL Bittinger 14.8 mi 3.9
Friendsville Elementary Friendsville 17.4 mi 6.4
Northern Middle School Accident 17.6 mi 8.3
Northern Garrett High School Accident 17.8 mi 7.5
Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School Thomas 19.5 mi 5.5
MOUNTAIN LAUREL LEARNING COOPERATIVE Thomas 19.7 mi 4.9
Preston High School Kingwood 16.2 mi 3.3
Central Preston Middle School Kingwood 16.4 mi 5.7
Kingwood Elementary Kingwood 16.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,302

Median Home Value

$210,300

Median Rent

$724/mo

Population

13,469

College Educated

25.7%

Homeownership

77.8%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

48.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Thurmont Middle Thurmont, MD 4.8
General Smallwood Middle School Indian Head, MD 4.9
Katherine Johnson Global Academy Baltimore, MD 5.0
Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School Westover, MD 4.6
The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD 5.0
Elkton Middle Elkton, MD 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Middle School

What grades does Southern Middle School serve?

Southern Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Southern Middle School?

Southern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 448 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Middle School rank in MD?

Southern Middle School ranks #1,065 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Southern Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Southern Middle School a Title I school?

No, Southern Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.5% of students at Southern Middle School 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
448
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Garrett County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

District

Garrett County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,455
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,520
District Rank
#12 of 12

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