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#3627 of 4,739 schools in NY

South Middle School

Middle School · NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

33-63 MONUMENT ST, Newburgh, NY 12550

Enrollment

845

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newburgh

#5 of 9

public schools

New York middle schools

#536 of 785

In district

#8 of 12

NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About South Middle School

South Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Newburgh, a small city in Orange County, New York. The school has an enrollment of 845 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.8 to 1, supported by 86 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, South Middle School is working through significant challenges with room for substantial growth.

English Language Arts proficiency stands at 29% of students meeting or exceeding state standards, while mathematics proficiency is considerably lower at 8%. The school's academic score of 1.5 out of 10 reflects these performance gaps, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide at 14th percentile among New York schools. These metrics indicate the school is focusing on developing stronger foundational skills across its student population.

With nearly 850 students, South Middle School is a substantial middle grades institution for the Newburgh community. The relatively strong student-teacher ratio suggests the school has resources to provide individual attention, which can be valuable as the school works to improve student outcomes. For families considering South Middle School, it's worth having conversations with school leadership about their improvement initiatives and support systems for students needing additional academic help.

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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, South Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Math vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-35.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,287

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 8.4%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
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
19%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
5.8%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How South Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in NY
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers

Location

33-63 MONUMENT ST, Newburgh, NY 12550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROMBOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Beacon), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAN MIGUEL ACADEMY OF NEWBURGH (rated 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORA CRONIN PRESENTATION ACADEMY (rated 5.3/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newburgh, see our Newburgh schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
NORA CRONIN PRESENTATION ACADEMY Newburgh 0.2 mi 5.3
SAN MIGUEL ACADEMY OF NEWBURGH Newburgh 0.2 mi 6.5
NEW WINDSOR SCHOOL New Windsor 1.0 mi 6.5
HORIZON-ON-THE-HUDSON SCHOOL Newburgh 1.1 mi 6.5
NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY Newburgh 1.3 mi 7.0
GIDNEY AVENUE MEMORIAL SCHOOL Newburgh 1.4 mi 4.0
BLOOMING GROVE ACADEMY LLC New Windsor 2.2 mi
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL New Windsor 2.0 mi 5.1
SOUTH AVENUE SCHOOL Beacon 2.1 mi 6.3
BALMVILLE SCHOOL Newburgh 2.9 mi 4.5
KAPLAN CAREER ACADEMY New Windsor 2.7 mi 7.4
SARGENT SCHOOL Beacon 2.3 mi 3.4
TEMPLE HILL SCHOOL New Windsor 2.4 mi 6.3
NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY Cornwall on Hudson 3.2 mi 8.5
CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall on Hudson 3.3 mi 7.8
VAILS GATE STEAM ACADEMY New Windsor 2.9 mi 6.2
CORNWALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cornwall 3.5 mi 4.7
CORNWALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornwall 3.8 mi 6.2
ROMBOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL Beacon 3.0 mi 8.4
BEACON HIGH SCHOOL Beacon 3.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,019

Median Home Value

$297,400

Median Rent

$1,466/mo

Population

54,996

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

55.8%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Middle School has a median household income of $78,019. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,400, with a median rent of $1,466/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
ACADIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Clifton Park, NY 5.2
CASEY MIDDLE SCHOOL East Amherst, NY 5.2
DANA L LYON MIDDLE SCHOOL Bath, NY 5.2
EDWARD TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL Sanborn, NY 5.2
J TAYLOR FINLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Huntington, NY 5.2
NORTH TONAWANDA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL North Tonawanda, NY 5.2

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 845 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 9.8:1. 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 #3627 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 8.4% math proficiency and 29.0% 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?

58.7% 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

City Safety
High (2,901/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newburgh). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
11,227
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,963
District Rank
#8 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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