Best Public Schools in Oakland, MD

The city of Oakland, Maryland is home to 6 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. These schools serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade and are part of the Garrett County Public Schools district.

Among the standout schools in Oakland are Swan Meadow School, a small K-8 school that consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, and Crellin Elementary, which ranks in the top 33% of Maryland elementary schools. These schools excel in both Mathematics and English Language Arts, with students performing significantly better than the district and state averages. In contrast, Southern Garrett High School has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past three years, dropping from 151 out of 225 Maryland high schools to 117 out of 146, with its rating declining from 2 stars to 1 star.

The data also reveals stark differences in academic performance between the schools, with the percentage of students proficient or better in Mathematics ranging from 18.7% at Southern Middle School to 42.9% at Crellin Elementary. Smaller schools, such as Swan Meadow School and Crellin Elementary, tend to outperform the larger schools in the district, suggesting that smaller class sizes and more individualized attention may be contributing factors. Additionally, the schools with higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower academic performance, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic factors on student achievement.