Average
#803 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
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
448
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#4 of 6
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#95 of 224
In district
#8 of 12
Garrett County Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Middle School
Southern Middle School is a regular public school in Oakland, Maryland, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 448 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. Southern Middle School has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Southern Middle School shows room for improvement, with proficiency rates in ELA/Reading standing at 35% and Math at 20%. While these scores indicate areas needing focus, the school is committed to supporting students as they navigate middle school challenges. Despite ranking #877 out of 1364 schools in Maryland (36th percentile), Southern Middle School aims to foster an environment where all students can grow academically and personally.
Located in a town setting, Southern Middle School benefits from the close-knit community of Oakland, offering a supportive backdrop for learning and development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Middle School — Students at Southern Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 4.6/10.
How Southern Middle School Compares
See how Southern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 19% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 39% (2022).
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. Central Preston Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Kingwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northern Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Accident), with a very similar rating. 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 | 9.2 |
| Southern Garrett High School Oakland | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Yough Glades Elementary Oakland | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Swan Meadow School Oakland | 5.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Crellin Elementary Oakland | 4.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta | 8.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Union Educational Complex Mount Storm | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
| SWANTON MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP SCHOOL Swanton | 10.7 mi | — |
| Aurora School Aurora | 11.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Accident Elementary Accident | 15.0 mi | 9.8 |
| Elk Garden School Elk Garden | 12.4 mi | 7.9 |
| BITTINGER MENNONITE SCHOOL Bittinger | 14.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Friendsville Elementary Friendsville | 17.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Northern Middle School Accident | 17.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Northern Garrett High School Accident | 17.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School Thomas | 19.5 mi | 4.8 |
| MOUNTAIN LAUREL LEARNING COOPERATIVE Thomas | 19.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Preston High School Kingwood | 16.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Central Preston Middle School Kingwood | 16.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Kingwood Elementary Kingwood | 16.7 mi | 4.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Middle School has a median household income of $65,302. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,300, with a median rent of $724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Stevensville Middle School Stevensville, MD | 6.0 |
| Glenwood Middle Glenwood, MD | 6.1 |
| Mount Savage Middle Mount Savage, MD | 6.1 |
| Shady Grove Middle Gaithersburg, MD | 5.9 |
| The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.9 |
| Newport Mill Middle Kensington, MD | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #803 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Southern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Middle School has 20.0% math proficiency and 34.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (387/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (301) 334-8881
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garrett County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,455
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,520
- District Rank
- #8 of 12
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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