Excellent
#160 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 12% in state
Stephen Decatur Middle
Middle School · Worcester County Public Schools
9815 Seahawk Rd, Berlin, MD 21811
Enrollment
670
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
670
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Berlin
#3 of 5
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#3 of 224
In district
#7 of 13
Worcester County Public Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Stephen Decatur Middle
Stephen Decatur Middle is a public middle school in Berlin, MD, part of the Worcester County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 670 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 88.3th percentile among MD schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 43% proficiency in math, 13 points above the state average and 68% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $91,293, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Stephen Decatur Middle — Students at Stephen Decatur Middle score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.3%
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: 6.7/10.
How Stephen Decatur Middle Compares
See how Stephen Decatur Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 73% (2019) to 80.7% (2025).
Location
9815 Seahawk Rd, Berlin, MD 21811
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Stephen Decatur Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pittsville Elementary & Middle (rated 7.6/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Pittsville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Berlin Intermediate (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Selbyville Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Selbyville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Berlin, see our Berlin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Decatur High Berlin | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Berlin Intermediate Berlin | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Buckingham Elementary Berlin | 2.1 mi | 9.1 |
| WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin | 3.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Showell Elementary Berlin | 3.7 mi | 8.7 |
| SEASIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean City | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Ocean City Elementary Ocean City | 4.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Selbyville Middle School Selbyville | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville | 8.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Indian River Intensive Learning Center Selbyville | 8.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Southern Delaware School of the Arts Selbyville | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Willards Elementary Willards | 9.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford | 14.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Indian River High School Dagsboro | 14.3 mi | 6.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro | 14.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View | 15.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Pittsville Elementary & Middle Pittsville | 13.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Snow Hill High Snow Hill | 15.9 mi | 5.8 |
| East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro | 17.8 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,293
Median Home Value
$362,500
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Population
24,263
College Educated
36.1%
Homeownership
81.4%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
55.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Stephen Decatur Middle has a median household income of $91,293. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,500, with a median rent of $1,398/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| North Dorchester Middle School Hurlock, MD | 8.3 |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City, MD | 8.2 |
| Snow Hill Middle Snow Hill, MD | 8.7 |
| Mace's Lane Middle School Cambridge, MD | 7.8 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle Clinton, MD | 7.8 |
| Pocomoke Middle Pocomoke City, MD | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stephen Decatur Middle
What grades does Stephen Decatur Middle serve?
Stephen Decatur Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Stephen Decatur Middle?
Stephen Decatur Middle has an enrollment of approximately 670 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Middle is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Stephen Decatur Middle rank in MD?
Stephen Decatur Middle is ranked #160 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Stephen Decatur Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Stephen Decatur Middle has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Stephen Decatur Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stephen Decatur Middle has 43.4% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Stephen Decatur Middle a charter school?
No, Stephen Decatur Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Stephen Decatur Middle a Title I school?
No, Stephen Decatur Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Decatur Middle?
44.3% of students at Stephen Decatur 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Berlin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 670
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Worcester County
- Phone
- (410) 641-2846
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Worcester County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,848
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,643
- District Rank
- #7 of 13
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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