Needs Improvement
#1363 of 1,363 schools in MD
Swan Meadow School
Elementary School · Garrett County Public Schools
6709 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
2.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#6 of 6
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#882 of 882
In district
#12 of 12
Garrett County Public Schools
About Swan Meadow School
Swan Meadow School serves 48 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Oakland, Maryland. This small elementary school operates with just 2 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 that allows for close attention despite the higher ratio typical of smaller rural schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #236 out of 1,364 Maryland schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
With an impressive academic score of 9.5 out of 10, Swan Meadow shows consistent achievement across core subjects, with 70% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics. Located at 6709 Garrett Highway, the school draws from a community where the median household income is $61,824 and median home values average $211,900. About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.5%.
The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 13,640 residents. Swan Meadow School sits in the heart of Garrett County's rural landscape, providing students with a small-school environment where individual attention and community connections flourish in Maryland's scenic western mountains.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 48 students, Swan Meadow School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Swan Meadow School is 24:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Swan Meadow School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Swan Meadow School — Students at Swan Meadow School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Swan Meadow School Compares
See how Swan Meadow School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 30.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 30.8% (2025).
Location
6709 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swan Meadow School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Accident Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Accident), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crellin Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Friendsville Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Friendsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crellin Elementary Oakland | 3.3 mi | 9.5 |
| Yough Glades Elementary Oakland | 3.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Southern Garrett High School Oakland | 4.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Southern Middle School Oakland | 5.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Broad Ford Elementary Oakland | 5.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Aurora School Aurora | 6.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta | 8.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Union Educational Complex Mount Storm | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School Thomas | 14.4 mi | 4.8 |
| MOUNTAIN LAUREL LEARNING COOPERATIVE Thomas | 14.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg | 13.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Tucker County High School Hambleton | 16.7 mi | 5.8 |
| SWANTON MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP SCHOOL Swanton | 15.9 mi | — |
| Preston High School Kingwood | 15.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Central Preston Middle School Kingwood | 15.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Kingwood Elementary Kingwood | 15.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Elk Garden School Elk Garden | 15.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Accident Elementary Accident | 20.2 mi | 9.8 |
| Friendsville Elementary Friendsville | 21.9 mi | 9.3 |
| BITTINGER MENNONITE SCHOOL Bittinger | 20.1 mi | 3.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swan Meadow 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 |
|---|---|
| THE JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Laurel, MD | 3.0 |
| ST MARGARET'S DAY SCHOOL Annapolis, MD | 2.5 |
| HOLLYWOOD UMC CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Hollywood, MD | 2.3 |
| BRIDGES MONTESSORI OF TOWSON, INC Towson, MD | 3.6 |
| Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle Baltimore, MD | 3.7 |
| BALTIMORE JUNIOR ACADEMY Baltimore, MD | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swan Meadow School
What grades does Swan Meadow School serve?
Swan Meadow School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Swan Meadow School?
Swan Meadow School has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swan Meadow School?
The student-teacher ratio at Swan Meadow School is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swan Meadow School rank in MD?
Swan Meadow School is ranked #1363 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Swan Meadow School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swan Meadow School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Swan Meadow School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swan Meadow School has 46.2% math proficiency and 51.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swan Meadow School a charter school?
No, Swan Meadow School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swan Meadow School a Title I school?
No, Swan Meadow School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swan Meadow School?
45.8% of students at Swan Meadow 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 48
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Garrett County
- Phone
- (301) 334-2059
- 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
- #12 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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