Southern Middle

Summary:

Southern Middle is a public middle school located in Lothian, Maryland, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 755 students. The school is part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which is ranked 10th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southern Middle has a higher percentage of White students (61.32%) compared to nearby schools like Wiley H. Bates Middle (34.16%) and Annapolis Middle (10.24%). Academically, the school's mathematics proficiency rates are consistently lower than the Anne Arundel County and Maryland state averages, while its English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rates are closer to the county and state. However, Southern Middle stands out with a significantly higher Algebra I proficiency rate of 67.2% in 2023-2024, compared to 30.3% in Anne Arundel County and 20% statewide.

Southern Middle's student subgroups, including African American, Hispanic, and White students, all perform below the state average in mathematics and ELA proficiency. The school's special education students rank in the bottom 20% of Maryland middle schools for proficiency, but its low socioeconomic status (SES) students perform relatively well, ranking in the top 15% of Maryland middle schools. Compared to nearby schools like Northern Middle and Windy Hill Middle in the Calvert County district, Southern Middle's academic performance lags behind, but it outperforms some of the lower-performing schools in the Prince George's County district.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 5235 Solomons Island Rd
       Lothian, MD  20711-9702


(410) 222-1659

District: Anne Arundel County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
130th of 328 Maryland Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,642 Help


Students who attend Southern Middle usually attend:

High:    Southern High

Feeder schools for Southern Middle:

Elementary:    Deale Elementary
    Lothian Elementary
    Shady Side Elementary
    Traceys Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  14.2 Help
Number of students:  765

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.3%
Hispanic:
28.5%
African American:
6.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Southern Middle ranks better than 60.4% of middle schools in Maryland. It also ranks 10th among 19 ranked middle schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.92. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (60.3%), Hispanic (28.5%), African American (6.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 47.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southern Middle is 14.2, which is the 9th best among 19 middle schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Southern Middle employs 53.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southern Middle is $16,642, which is the 9th highest among 19 middle schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Southern Middle was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Southern Middle 130th of 328 Maryland public middle schools. (See Southern Middle in the ranking list.)

Anne Arundel County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Anne Arundel County Public Schools 10th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Southern Middle

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Rank History for all students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 33.79 171st 252 32.1%
2005 31.88 177th 255 30.6%
2006 34.26 172nd 254 32.3%
2007 35.58 171st 264 35.2%
2008 64.18 119th 283 58.0%
2009 70.87 99th 301 67.1%
2010 68.88 117th 324 63.9%
2011 74.42 81st 309 73.8%
2012 80.94 59th 314 81.2%
2013 73.34 88th 316 72.2%
2014 69.78 112th 339 67.0%
2015 60.84 115th 315 63.5%
2016 60.44 108th 314 65.6%
2017 63.53 106th 317 66.6%
2018 64.39 105th 328 68.0%
2019 57.09 121st 316 61.7%
2021 47.39 147th 303 51.5%
2022 50.79 151st 333 54.7%
2023 44.37 150th 322 53.4%
2024 51.92 130th 328 60.4%
See the entire list of Maryland Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 30.22 91st 136 33.1%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 27.86 104th 120 13.3%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 68.94 43rd 273 84.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 48.48 143rd 303 52.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 46.16 137th 288 52.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 54.12 108th 259 58.3%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 36.73 127th 207 38.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Southern Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 32.09 142nd 210 32.4%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Southern Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Open Quote The teachers at Southern Middle School are horrible! They do not care about the children's education. In fact, when I have called the school which has been on several occasions and left messages at the front desk asking for a return call from the teachers with detailed explanations regarding my child I am disgusted to say I have never received a call back from any of them. These teachers are unwilling to help the children when a little extra help in needed. Talk to other parents before you send your children to this school! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Southern Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 544 127 3 0 2 n/a n/a -6 670
1990 596 126 0 0 2 n/a n/a -8 716
1991 651 140 2 3 2 n/a n/a -3 795
1992 674 150 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 829
1993 676 162 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 843
1994 722 160 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 885
1995 819 111 2 2 2 n/a n/a 0 936
1996 819 111 2 2 2 n/a n/a 0 936
1997 845 114 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 962
1998 587 80 1 6 1 n/a n/a 0 675
1999 552 88 1 5 1 n/a n/a 0 647
2000 531 82 2 7 1 n/a n/a 0 623
2001 528 99 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 634
2002 537 76 6 7 1 n/a n/a 0 627
2003 537 76 6 7 1 n/a n/a 0 627
2004 780 106 6 10 2 n/a n/a 0 904
2005 728 115 7 7 3 n/a n/a 0 860
2006 698 121 4 11 3 n/a n/a 0 837
2007 673 129 8 15 3 n/a n/a 0 828
2008 638 127 9 18 2 n/a n/a 0 794
2009 590 114 12 30 5 n/a n/a 0 751
2010 618 108 9 31 4 n/a n/a 0 770
2011 604 79 5 35 5 4 33 0 765
2012 621 81 8 36 3 4 33 0 786
2013 631 75 7 36 2 1 41 0 793
2014 619 78 9 49 1 0 47 0 803
2015 594 68 9 45 1 0 47 0 764
2016 608 51 8 49 1 1 46 0 764
2017 558 53 3 66 0 1 53 0 734
2018 559 50 2 85 1 1 46 0 744
2019 521 59 2 120 1 0 54 0 757
2020 536 60 2 140 2 0 61 0 801
2021 516 61 2 152 1 0 58 0 790
2022 484 60 5 185 0 0 35 0 769
2023 463 58 8 197 0 0 29 0 755
2024 461 53 7 218 1 1 24 0 765

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 Southern Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 670 38.8 17.2 n/a
1990 716 42.6 16.8 5.9
1991 795 45.1 17.6 7.2
1992 829 48.4 17.1 10.1
1993 843 46.4 18.2 10
1994 885 48.3 18.3 11.5
1995 936 52.2 17.9 9.5
1996 936 52.2 17.9 9.5
1997 962 55.8 17.2 11
1998 675 39.1 17.3 12
1999 647 39.2 16.5 13.4
2000 623 35.4 17.6 14.4
2001 634 35.6 17.8 15.1
2002 627 34.9 18.0 14
2003 627 34.9 18.0 14
2004 904 52.3 17.3 16.3
2005 860 49.0 17.6 17.2
2006 837 50.0 16.7 19.8
2007 828 50.6 16.4 19.1
2008 794 48.3 16.4 19
2009 751 45.5 16.5 20
2010 770 45.0 17.0 21.2
2011 765 51.8 14.7 23.8
2012 786 51.8 15.1 23
2013 793 52.8 15.0 28.1
2014 803 53.6 14.9 26.3
2015 764 52.0 14.6 28.5
2016 764 52.0 14.6 24
2017 734 54.0 13.5 24
2018 744 52.9 14.0 24.2
2019 757 51.8 14.6 31.4
2020 801 55.2 14.4 33.6
2021 790 56.5 13.9 38.9
2022 769 57.0 13.4 38.4
2023 755 53.6 14.0 44.6
2024 765 53.6 14.2 47.5

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 Southern Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 670 38.8 17.2 n/a
1990 716 42.6 16.8 5.9
1991 795 45.1 17.6 7.2
1992 829 48.4 17.1 10.1
1993 843 46.4 18.2 10
1994 885 48.3 18.3 11.5
1995 936 52.2 17.9 9.5
1996 936 52.2 17.9 9.5
1997 962 55.8 17.2 11
1998 675 39.1 17.3 12
1999 647 39.2 16.5 13.4
2000 623 35.4 17.6 14.4
2001 634 35.6 17.8 15.1
2002 627 34.9 18.0 14
2003 627 34.9 18.0 14
2004 904 52.3 17.3 16.3
2005 860 49.0 17.6 17.2
2006 837 50.0 16.7 19.8
2007 828 50.6 16.4 19.1
2008 794 48.3 16.4 19
2009 751 45.5 16.5 20
2010 770 45.0 17.0 21.2
2011 765 51.8 14.7 23.8
2012 786 51.8 15.1 23
2013 793 52.8 15.0 28.1
2014 803 53.6 14.9 26.3
2015 764 52.0 14.6 28.5
2016 764 52.0 14.6 24
2017 734 54.0 13.5 24
2018 744 52.9 14.0 24.2
2019 757 51.8 14.6 31.4
2020 801 55.2 14.4 33.6
2021 790 56.5 13.9 38.9
2022 769 57.0 13.4 38.4
2023 755 53.6 14.0 44.6
2024 765 53.6 14.2 47.5

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 Southern Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $373 (2.7%) $13,563 (97.3%) $13,935
2020 $438 (3.1%) $13,837 (96.9%) $14,275
2021 $843 (5.7%) $13,945 (94.3%) $14,788
2022 $1,320 (8.3%) $14,526 (91.7%) $15,846
2023 $1,507 (9.1%) $15,135 (90.9%) $16,642

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southern Middle

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 121st of 316 Middle schoolsRanks 150th of 322 Middle schools
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students757755
 0.3%
African American5958
 1.7%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian28
 300%
Hispanic120197
 64.2%
Pacific Islander00
White521463
 11.1%
Two or More Races5429
 46.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31.4%44.6%
 13.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Middle

Southern Middle ranks 130th of 328 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Southern Middle are 60% White, 28% Hispanic, 7% African American, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 765 students attended Southern Middle.

Students who attend Southern Middle usually go on to attend Southern High


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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