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#3684 of 4,739 schools in NY

South Middle School

Middle School · BRENTWOOD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

785 CANDLEWOOD RD, Brentwood, NY 11717

Enrollment

995

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brentwood

#5 of 13

public schools

New York middle schools

#548 of 785

In district

#7 of 17

BRENTWOOD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

About South Middle School

South Middle School serves 995 students in grades 6 through 8 in Brentwood, New York. With 82 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth in core subjects.

Recent assessments show 28% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents a particular area of emphasis with 7% of students reaching proficiency standards. These results place South Middle School among schools working to strengthen their academic programs and support student achievement. Located on Candlewood Road, the school sits within a diverse suburban community where families have varying educational backgrounds and economic circumstances.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of household incomes and educational attainment levels, creating an environment where students from different backgrounds come together for their middle school experience. South Middle School operates within the larger Brentwood community, situated in Suffolk County's suburban landscape where families are invested in their children's educational journey and growth during these formative middle school years.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Middle School 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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Math vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.8 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-26.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,661

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 11.4%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 25.8%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
24%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
8.3%
ELA
28.5%

* 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 South Middle School Compares

See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in NY
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers

Location

785 CANDLEWOOD RD, Brentwood, NY 11717

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BAY SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Bay Shore), which scores slightly higher. Another option is NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brentwood, see our Brentwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay Shore 0.4 mi 6.8
BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Brentwood 0.5 mi 4.4
LAUREL PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.1 mi 5.2
SOUTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.1 mi 6.2
PINE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.4 mi 3.7
EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Brentwood 1.3 mi 5.1
LORETTA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.2 mi 4.8
TWIN PINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.5 mi 3.8
EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 1.4 mi 3.5
MARY G CLARKSON SCHOOL Bay Shore 1.7 mi 6.2
FRESHMAN CENTER Brentwood 1.6 mi 4.8
BAY SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bay Shore 1.9 mi 5.6
HEMLOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay Shore 1.6 mi 5.2
NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 2.0 mi 4.4
NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Brentwood 2.0 mi 5.3
BROOK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay Shore 2.4 mi 6.2
NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brentwood 2.4 mi 3.0
COMMACK ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Islip 2.1 mi 5.7
BAY SHORE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bay Shore 2.5 mi 7.3
FIFTH AVENUE SCHOOL Bay Shore 2.6 mi 6.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
EAST IRONDEQUOIT MIDDLE SCHOOL Rochester, NY 5.1
EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Brentwood, NY 5.1
FARNSWORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Guilderland, NY 5.1
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New Windsor, NY 5.1
JAMESVILLE-DEWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL Jamesville, NY 5.1
ONEIDA MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady, NY 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Middle School

What grades does South Middle School serve?

South Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend South Middle School?

South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 995 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Middle School rank in NY?

South Middle School is ranked #3684 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 South Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle School has 11.4% math proficiency and 25.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Middle School a charter school?

No, South Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Middle School a Title I school?

No, South Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Middle School?

82.0% of students at South Middle 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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (3/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
995
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
82
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Suffolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BRENTWOOD UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
18,443
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,306
District Rank
#7 of 17

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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