Average
#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
Enrollment
995
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY 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 South Middle School Compares
See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 31% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (631) 434-2341
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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