Average
#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
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.7%
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: 6.8/10.
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 19% (2019) to 7% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 33% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (845) 563-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEWBURGH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 11,227
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,963
- District Rank
- #8 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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- 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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