Is Otwell Middle School a good school?

Otwell Middle School ranks 204 th of 588 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Otwell Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,027 students attended Otwell Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Otwell Middle School?

Students at Otwell Middle School are 40% White, 38% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 4% African American, 2% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Otwell Middle School attend?

Students who attend Otwell Middle School usually go on to attend Forsyth Central High School

Otwell Middle School

Summary:

Otwell Middle School is a public middle school located in Cumming, Georgia, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,034 students. The school is part of the Forsyth County School District, which is ranked 10th out of 203 districts in Georgia and is rated 5 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Otwell Middle School consistently outperforms the state average in Milestones Assessment/Algebra I for End of Course, with 78.4% proficient or better in 2023-2024 compared to the state average of 44%. However, the school's performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 6-8 is generally lower than the Forsyth County average and the state average. Otwell Middle School has a relatively high percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients, ranging from 36.59% to 44.49% over the past few years, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students compared to the nearby schools. The school also has a higher spending per student, $9,785 in the 2018-2019 school year, and a lower student-teacher ratio, ranging from 13.2 to 13.7 over the past few years, compared to the nearby schools.

Otwell Middle School's performance is generally lower than the nearby schools in the Forsyth County district, such as Riverwatch Middle School, Piney Grove Middle School, and Lakeside Middle School, which consistently rank higher in the state and have higher test scores. However, Otwell Middle School outperforms some other nearby schools, such as Little Mill Middle School and North Forsyth Middle School, in terms of test scores and state rankings. The higher percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients at Otwell Middle School suggests that the school serves a more economically disadvantaged population, which may contribute to the lower academic performance observed at the school compared to the higher-performing nearby schools.

Detail:

Public 6-8

605 Tribble Gap Rd
Cumming, GA 30040

(770) 887-5248

District: Forsyth County

SchoolDigger Rank:
204^th of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,785

Students who attend Otwell Middle School usually attend:

High:

Forsyth Central High School

Feeder schools for Otwell Middle School:

Elementary:	Cumming Elementary School
	George W. Whitlow Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

Number of students: 1,027

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.5%

Hispanic:

37.9%

Asian:

15.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 49.1%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Otwell Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Otwell Middle School ranks better than 65.3% of middle schools in Georgia. It also ranks 9^th among 10 ranked middle schools in the Forsyth County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 60.5. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Otwell Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (39.5%), Hispanic (37.9%), Asian (15.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 49.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Forsyth County School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Otwell Middle School is 13.8, which is the lowest among 10 middle schools in the Forsyth County School District! (See more...)

Compare Otwell Middle School employs 74 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Otwell Middle School is $9,785, which is the highest among 10 middle schools in the Forsyth County School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Otwell Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Otwell Middle School 204^th of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Otwell Middle School in the ranking list.)

Forsyth County:

SchoolDigger ranks Forsyth County 10^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Otwell Middle School.

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Rank History for Otwell Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	81.54	46^th	420	89.0%
2007	84.30	32^nd	445	92.8%
2008	87.45	25^th	462	94.6%
2009	85.18	32^nd	466	93.1%
2010	82.86	41^st	494	91.7%
2011	80.06	64^th	504	87.3%
2012	74.91	107^th	508	78.9%
2013	78.19	70^th	527	86.7%
2014	75.18	95^th	521	81.8%
2015	82.58	80^th	537	85.1%
2016	88.75	48^th	545	91.2%
2017	84.29	68^th	539	87.4%
2018	87.22	59^th	543	89.1%
2019	82.17	90^th	559	83.9%
2021	77.19	97^th	542	82.1%
2022	71.34	144^th	567	74.6%
2023	64.32	171^st	577	70.4%
2024	60.50	204^th	588	65.3%

See the entire list of Georgia Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

75%

25%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, October 23, 2017

The teachers had a sunny disposition that lit up our child's life. The teachers brought out the full potential in our child and communicated with us when he was struggling in ELA. The weekly letters also kept us updated about our child's tests and quizzes. It has been a wonderful year at Otwell and we are looking forward to another one!. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, July 24, 2017

We have had two students attend otwell one had a great experience one had a terrible experience. They we very willing to help our gifted student but treated out slow learner like a pariah, he did not get the help he needed to learn and was severely punished for the slightest infractions. It was so bad we tried to pull the slow learner out of otwell and the county wouldn't let us. They supposedly control all aspects of the students life while they are in school. We had very little input and almost no chance to help. Our student had shut down by the middle of the year and that was it, he was so dispirited it was heartbreaking to watch and the school just kept him broken no help. The leadership is totally useless and whatever you hear good there is a flip side to the story. We saw both sides the good and bad and the bad outweighed the good. Do not send your child here if you have a choice. Our gifted student actually told us that it was an aweful experience she just didn't want to talk about it. Sad school and terrible leadership and the classes are completely full that 15-1 student teacher ratio is a falsehood. Close Quote

by a student
Thursday, May 24, 2012

All of the teachers are amazing and have creative techniques that allow us to learn at a better and faster pace allowing us to be such a wonderful school! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Otwell Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	670	670
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	679	679
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	678	678
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	763	763
1994	678	0	0	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	688
1995	597	0	0	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	616
1996	597	0	0	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	616
1997	650	0	1	27	2	n/a	n/a	0	680
1998	894	0	4	48	2	n/a	n/a	0	948
1999	706	1	2	26	0	n/a	n/a	0	735
2000	732	0	0	38	1	n/a	n/a	0	771
2001	784	0	1	59	2	n/a	n/a	0	846
2002	873	1	6	90	1	n/a	n/a	0	971
2003	873	1	6	90	1	n/a	n/a	0	971
2004	878	7	6	113	1	n/a	n/a	0	1005
2005	764	6	5	137	1	n/a	n/a	6	919
2006	734	13	7	136	1	n/a	n/a	6	897
2007	725	22	13	140	1	n/a	n/a	11	912
2008	727	28	16	136	2	n/a	n/a	12	921
2009	743	21	13	139	4	n/a	n/a	16	936
2010	493	27	16	173	12	1	27	0	749
2011	506	51	17	199	11	1	31	0	816
2012	535	43	21	216	6	3	27	0	851
2013	649	49	28	260	6	2	25	0	1019
2014	690	33	36	298	7	2	28	0	1094
2015	711	37	32	346	2	0	31	0	1159
2016	732	56	38	345	4	0	27	0	1202
2017	751	53	52	382	3	1	29	0	1271
2018	741	65	73	389	6	1	34	0	1309
2019	702	65	96	437	9	3	30	0	1342
2020	740	67	107	495	12	2	37	0	1460
2021	699	69	121	508	10	2	34	0	1443
2022	509	55	89	458	5	0	22	0	1138
2023	428	47	124	401	3	0	31	0	1034
2024	406	46	155	389	6	0	25	0	1027

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Otwell Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	670	41.0	16.3	5.2
1991	679	41.0	16.5	10.5
1992	678	44.0	15.4	13.1
1993	763	42.0	18.2	11.5
1994	688	43.1	16.0	12.9
1995	616	41.0	15.0	15.6
1996	616	41.0	15.0	15.6
1997	680	40.0	17.0	18.1
1998	948	60.5	15.7	17.2
1999	735	52.0	14.1	15.8
2000	771	50.0	15.4	16.9
2001	846	55.0	15.4	15.2
2002	971	69.0	14.1	17.4
2003	971	69.0	14.1	17.4
2004	1005	65.0	15.5	20
2005	919	58.0	15.8	23.2
2006	897	61.0	14.7	25.8
2007	912	65.0	14.0	24
2008	921	64.0	14.4	24.6
2009	936	66.8	14.0	28.8
2010	749	55.0	13.6	41
2011	816	56.0	14.5	44.1
2012	851	59.6	14.2	47.5
2013	1019	72.0	14.1	42.9
2014	1094	71.4	15.3	36.5
2015	1159	73.0	15.8	37.4
2016	1202	76.0	15.8	36.6
2017	1271	84.8	14.9	35.5
2018	1309	89.4	14.6	38.8
2019	1342	99.3	13.5	39.3
2020	1460	100.2	14.5	39.6
2021	1443	105.2	13.7	36.6
2022	1138	85.7	13.2	n/a
2023	1034	75.2	13.7	44.5
2024	1027	74.0	13.8	49.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Otwell Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	670	41.0	16.3	5.2
1991	679	41.0	16.5	10.5
1992	678	44.0	15.4	13.1
1993	763	42.0	18.2	11.5
1994	688	43.1	16.0	12.9
1995	616	41.0	15.0	15.6
1996	616	41.0	15.0	15.6
1997	680	40.0	17.0	18.1
1998	948	60.5	15.7	17.2
1999	735	52.0	14.1	15.8
2000	771	50.0	15.4	16.9
2001	846	55.0	15.4	15.2
2002	971	69.0	14.1	17.4
2003	971	69.0	14.1	17.4
2004	1005	65.0	15.5	20
2005	919	58.0	15.8	23.2
2006	897	61.0	14.7	25.8
2007	912	65.0	14.0	24
2008	921	64.0	14.4	24.6
2009	936	66.8	14.0	28.8
2010	749	55.0	13.6	41
2011	816	56.0	14.5	44.1
2012	851	59.6	14.2	47.5
2013	1019	72.0	14.1	42.9
2014	1094	71.4	15.3	36.5
2015	1159	73.0	15.8	37.4
2016	1202	76.0	15.8	36.6
2017	1271	84.8	14.9	35.5
2018	1309	89.4	14.6	38.8
2019	1342	99.3	13.5	39.3
2020	1460	100.2	14.5	39.6
2021	1443	105.2	13.7	36.6
2022	1138	85.7	13.2	n/a
2023	1034	75.2	13.7	44.5
2024	1027	74.0	13.8	49.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Otwell Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$750 (9.0%)	$7,566 (91.0%)	$8,316
2018	$772 (8.7%)	$8,117 (91.3%)	$8,889
2019	$839 (8.6%)	$8,946 (91.4%)	$9,785

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Otwell Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 90^th of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 171^st of 577 Middle schools	13.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Otwell Middle School)	66.7	43	23.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Forsyth County)	77	63.3	13.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Otwell Middle School)	55.8	46.4	9.4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Forsyth County)	71.9	64.8	7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Otwell Middle School)	53.5	42.4	11.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Forsyth County)	68.4	62.8	5.6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Otwell Middle School)	56.7	42.9	13.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Forsyth County)	76.8	69	7.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Otwell Middle School)	65.5	40.1	25.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Forsyth County)	77	61.6	15.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Otwell Middle School)	58.1	36.9	21.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Forsyth County)	60.7	65.2	4.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Social Studies (Otwell Middle School)	53.2	39.1	14.1%
8th Grade Social Studies (Forsyth County)	66.5	60.3	6.2%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Otwell Middle School)	97.4	90.4	7%
End of Course Algebra I (Forsyth County)	76.3	62.5	13.8%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1342	1034	23%
African American	65	47	27.7%
American Indian	9	3	66.7%
Asian	96	124	29.2%
Hispanic	437	401	8.2%
Pacific Islander	3	0	100%
White	702	428	39%
Two or More Races	30	31	3.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	39.3%	44.5%	5.1%

Schools Near Otwell Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Otwell Middle School	Public	6-8	605 Tribble Gap Rd	Cumming	30040	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 887-5248	1,027	74	13.8	49.1%	406 (39.5%)	46 (4.5%)	389 (37.9%)	155 (15.1%)	6 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (2.4%)	60.5	204^th of 588 public middle schools	65.3%		64.3	171^st of 577 public middle schools	70.4%	33	78.4	42.5	41.3	42.3	45.5	41.6	43.2		38.3	$9,785	$839	$8,946
Lakeside Middle School	Public	6-8	2565 Echols Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 455-7311	1,526	88	17.3	13.8%	585 (38.3%)	56 (3.7%)	138 (9.0%)	695 (45.5%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (3.1%)	97.2	17^th of 588 public middle schools	97.1%		96	25^th of 577 public middle schools	95.7%	8	96.9	75.1	68.3	71.8	75.3	74.5	84.0		70.8	$8,067	$201	$7,866
North Forsyth Middle School	Public	6-8	3645 Coal Mountain Dr	Cumming	30028	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 889-0743	1,170	74	15.7	32.5%	759 (64.9%)	80 (6.8%)	183 (15.6%)	91 (7.8%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	52 (4.4%)	71.4	143^rd of 588 public middle schools	75.7%		74	128^th of 577 public middle schools	77.8%	15	83.9	48.6	42.8	41.3	54.4	50.3	58.8	5.6	49.5	$9,219	$203	$9,016
Vickery Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	6240 Post Rd	Cumming	30040	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 667-2580	1,078	57	18.8	14.6%	561 (52.0%)	35 (3.2%)	121 (11.2%)	307 (28.5%)	6 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (4.5%)	93.2	43^rd of 588 public middle schools	92.7%		93.5	40^th of 577 public middle schools	93.1%	3	98.7	70.6	62.4	62.6	61.9	62.4	80.7		64.1	$7,602	$133	$7,469
Piney Grove Middle School	Public	6-8	8135 Majors Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 965-5010	1,054	62	16.9	12.6%	263 (25.0%)	44 (4.2%)	97 (9.2%)	608 (57.7%)	9 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.1%)	98.7	10^th of 588 public middle schools	98.3%		98.5	9^th of 577 public middle schools	98.4%	1	99.0	76.4	74.4	79.5	77.6	85.4	86.8		82.9	$9,009	$136	$8,873
Hendricks Middle School	Public	6-8	4950 Hyde Rd	Cumming	30040	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 965-5038	1,383	73	18.8	16.1%	700 (50.6%)	44 (3.2%)	186 (13.4%)	396 (28.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (4.0%)	92.3	48^th of 588 public middle schools	91.8%		88.5	57^th of 577 public middle schools	90.1%	9	98.8	62.6	59.1	63.6	70.3	84.6	77.3		54.0
Liberty Middle School	Public	6-8	7465 Wallace Tatum Rd	Cumming	30028	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 781-4889	1,213	67	18.1	25.3%	748 (61.7%)	42 (3.5%)	165 (13.6%)	219 (18.1%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	36 (3.0%)	74.5	128^th of 588 public middle schools	78.2%		84.8	76^th of 577 public middle schools	86.8%	52	81.0	54.5	46.3	48.6	41.9	52.4	50.0		55.0	$8,387	$160	$8,227
Lanier Middle School	Public	6-8	6482 Suwanee Dam Rd	Sugar Hill	30518	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	No	(770) 945-8419	1,295	93	13.9	53.1%	452 (34.9%)	239 (18.5%)	397 (30.7%)	122 (9.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (6.4%)	88.7	61^st of 588 public middle schools	89.6%		89.6	53^rd of 577 public middle schools	90.8%	8	99.2	57.2	61.1	62.3	48.2	64.3	72.8		59.3	$8,390	$231	$8,159
Riverwatch Middle School	Public	6-8	610 James Burgess Rd	Suwanee	30024	Gwinnett County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 455-7311	1,513	82	18.4	12.6%	353 (23.3%)	80 (5.3%)	90 (5.9%)	931 (61.5%)	5 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (3.5%)	99.2	4^th of 588 public middle schools	99.3%		99.4	3^rd of 577 public middle schools	99.5%	1	95.4	83.7	82.2	81.9	83.1	88.8	86.8		83.1	$7,313	$133	$7,179
Little Mill Middle School	Public	6-8	6800 Little Mill Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 965-5000	895	55	16.2	40.6%	672 (75.1%)	17 (1.9%)	167 (18.7%)	13 (1.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (2.6%)	59.4	213^th of 588 public middle schools	63.8%		54.3	231^st of 577 public middle schools	60.0%	18	93.9	48.1	48.0	32.7	42.6	50.9	39.4		29.5	$9,552	$611	$8,942

Otwell Middle School

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Rank History for Otwell Middle School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Otwell Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Otwell Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Otwell Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Otwell Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Otwell Middle School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Otwell Middle School