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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.8%
Math vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,740

Swan Meadow School — Students at Swan Meadow School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.2%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 51.1%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2025
Math
30.8%
ELA
30.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
2.8/10
0th percentile in MD
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garrett County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,455
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,520
District Rank
#12 of 12

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 methodology

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