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Excellent

#45 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 3% 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

9.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#45 of 1,363

In Berlin

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 13

Worcester County Public Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Stephen Decatur Middle

9.3/10

Middle School in Berlin · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Stephen Decatur High

7.2/10

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

Berlin Intermediate

8.2/10

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

About Stephen Decatur Middle

Stephen Decatur Middle is a public middle school in Berlin, MD, part of Worcester County Public Schools. Stephen Decatur Middle serves approximately 670 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Stephen Decatur Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #45 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Stephen Decatur Middle show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 9.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.3
  • MD avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Stephen Decatur 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 Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+26.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+24.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,643
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

Stephen Decatur Middle — Students at Stephen Decatur Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 75.1% (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
94%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
97%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
94%
ELA
96%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
57%
ELA
78.4%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Stephen Decatur Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
9.3/10
97th percentile in MD
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

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. Berlin Intermediate (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Selbyville Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Selbyville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pittsville Elementary & Middle (rated 7.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Pittsville), 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 7.2
Berlin Intermediate Berlin 1.3 mi 8.2
Buckingham Elementary Berlin 2.1 mi 8.3
WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin 2.3 mi 6.6
MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin 3.6 mi 4.1
Showell Elementary Berlin 3.7 mi 9.1
SEASIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean City 4.4 mi 6.0
Ocean City Elementary Ocean City 4.5 mi 9.8
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 8.7 mi 7.7
Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville 8.7 mi 8.0
Indian River Intensive Learning Center Selbyville 8.8 mi 5.8
Southern Delaware School of the Arts Selbyville 8.8 mi 6.4
Willards Elementary Willards 9.8 mi 8.6
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 14.0 mi 6.8
Indian River High School Dagsboro 14.3 mi 6.1
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 14.8 mi 7.2
Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View 15.1 mi 8.3
Pittsville Elementary & Middle Pittsville 13.0 mi 7.4
Snow Hill High Snow Hill 15.9 mi 7.9
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 17.8 mi 4.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mount View Middle Marriottsville, MD 9.3
Folly Quarter Middle Ellicott City, MD 9.4
Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City, MD 9.2
Clarksville Middle Clarksville, MD 9.5
Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City, MD 9.1
Glenwood Middle Glenwood, 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 ranks #45 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Stephen Decatur Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephen Decatur Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 Stephen Decatur Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stephen Decatur Middle has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

Worcester County Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,848
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,643
District Rank
#2 of 13

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