Average
#943 of 1,363 schools in MD
Southwest Academy
Middle School · Baltimore County Public Schools
6200 Johnnycake Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#169 of 267
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#130 of 224
In district
#102 of 169
Baltimore County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Southwest Academy
Southwest Academy serves grades 6 through 8 in Baltimore County, with an enrollment of 813 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. This public middle school is located in a large suburban area on Johnnycake Road and currently has 56 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Southwest Academy is working toward strengthening student performance.
The school ranks in the 15th percentile statewide and faces significant challenges in core subjects. Currently, 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 6% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math across grade levels. These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and academic growth in fundamental skills.
With a moderate student-teacher ratio, the school has the capacity to provide individualized attention as it works to improve student outcomes. Parents considering Southwest Academy should be aware that the school is in a developmental phase academically and may benefit from close communication with teachers and staff about their child's progress and support needs. The large suburban setting offers a community environment for middle schoolers navigating the transition from elementary to high school.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southwest Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Academy — Students at Southwest Academy score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.6%
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: 7.0/10.
How Southwest Academy Compares
See how Southwest Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 9% (2019) to 11.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 32.9% (2025).
Location
6200 Johnnycake Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AL-RAHMAH SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodbridge Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westowne Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Catonsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Johnnycake Elementary Baltimore | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| AL-RAHMAH SCHOOL Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Woodlawn High Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Southwest EDLP at Woodlawn High School Towson | 1.1 mi | — |
| Westowne Elementary Catonsville | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Edmondson Heights Elementary Baltimore | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Meadowood Education Center Baltimore | 1.2 mi | — |
| MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY Baltimore | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Woodbridge Elementary Baltimore | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Featherbed Lane Elementary Baltimore | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| APPLE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Catonsville | 1.8 mi | — |
| WATSON HALL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST MARK SCHOOL Catonsville | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Catonsville Elementary Catonsville | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Watershed Public Charter Woodlawn | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Windsor Mill | 1.9 mi | — |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Baltimore | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Chadwick Elementary Baltimore | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,284
Median Home Value
$248,400
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
49,599
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
61.1%
Avg Commute
30.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Academy has a median household income of $64,284. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,400, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Boonsboro Middle Boonsboro, MD | 5.6 |
| Northern Middle Owings, MD | 5.6 |
| Windy Hill Middle Owings, MD | 5.6 |
| Corkran Middle School Glen Burnie, MD | 5.5 |
| Holabird Middle Baltimore, MD | 5.5 |
| Margaret Brent Middle Mechanicsville, MD | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Academy
What grades does Southwest Academy serve?
Southwest Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Academy?
Southwest Academy has an enrollment of approximately 813 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Academy is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Academy rank in MD?
Southwest Academy is ranked #943 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Southwest Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Academy has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Southwest Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Academy has 7.6% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Academy a charter school?
No, Southwest Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Academy a Title I school?
No, Southwest Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Academy?
64.6% of students at Southwest Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 813
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Baltimore County
- Phone
- (410) 887-0825
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,275
- Schools in District
- 179
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,666
- District Rank
- #102 of 169
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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