Southern High

Q: Is Southern High a good school?

Southern High ranks 45 th of 146 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Southern High is a public high school in Harwood, Maryland, serving grades 9-12 and part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district. While the district is ranked 10th out of 25 in Maryland, Southern High has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking, ranging from 45th out of 146 Maryland high schools in 2023-2024 to 87th out of 127 in 2022-2023.

One key differentiator is Southern High's racial makeup, with a significantly higher percentage of white students (63.88% in 2022-2023) compared to nearby schools like Annapolis High, which has a majority Hispanic and African American student body, and Crofton High, which has a higher percentage of white students. Additionally, Southern High's test scores, particularly in mathematics, are significantly lower than the county and state averages, with only 5.8% of students proficient or better in MCAP/Mathematics in 2023-2024, compared to 27.6% in the district and 24.1% statewide. However, the school's English Language Arts (ELA) scores are stronger, with 67.4% of 10th-grade students proficient or better in 2023-2024, compared to 63.2% in the district and 55.3% statewide.

Another notable difference is the higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Southern High (39.68% in 2022-2023) compared to nearby schools like South River High (19.1%) and Crofton High (13.8%), indicating a higher proportion of students from lower-income families. Despite the higher per-student spending at Southern High ($15,901 in 2020-2021) compared to schools like South River High ($13,274) and Annapolis High ($13,957), the school's academic performance, particularly in mathematics, is still lagging behind the county and state averages.

Detail:

Public 9-12

4400 Solomons Island Rd
Harwood, MD 20776-9504

(410) 867-7100

District: Anne Arundel County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
45^th of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,659

Feeder schools for Southern High:

Elementary:	Deale Elementary
	Lothian Elementary
	Shady Side Elementary
	Traceys Elementary
Middle:	Southern Middle

Student/teacher ratio: 15.2

Number of students: 1,066

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.9%

Hispanic:

21.9%

African American:

8.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 39.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Southern High ranks better than 69.2% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks 7^th among 11 ranked high schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.13. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Southern High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (63.9%), Hispanic (21.9%), African American (8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 39.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southern High is 15.2, which is the 2^nd best among 11 high schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Southern High employs 69.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southern High is $17,659, which is the highest among 14 high schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southern High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Southern High 45^th of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Southern High in the ranking list.)

Anne Arundel County Public Schools:

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

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Rank History for Southern High

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MD State Percentile
2004	48.63	85^th	201	57.7%
2005	54.56	84^th	204	58.8%
2006	66.16	55^th	204	73.0%
2007	67.37	60^th	209	71.3%
2008	82.71	18^th	214	91.6%
2009	80.88	21^st	213	90.1%
2010	77.43	48^th	220	78.2%
2011	69.86	61^st	183	66.7%
2012	70.63	64^th	187	65.8%
2013	70.44	66^th	185	64.3%
2014	76.76	61^st	231	73.6%
2015	61.52	70^th	233	70.0%
2016	67.93	53^rd	233	77.3%
2017	64.55	43^rd	180	76.1%
2018	62.98	44^th	197	77.7%
2019	55.35	57^th	138	58.7%
2022	49.89	69^th	225	69.3%
2023	38.19	87^th	127	31.5%
2024	53.13	45^th	146	69.2%

See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

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

Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Southern High

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	754	154	8	0	0	n/a	n/a	-9	907
1990	740	154	9	0	0	n/a	n/a	-8	895
1991	725	135	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	-24	838
1992	715	157	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	874
1993	756	168	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	925
1994	793	178	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	976
1995	925	198	5	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	1132
1996	925	198	5	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	1132
1997	946	197	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	1149
1998	1228	230	3	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	1466
1999	1230	210	3	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	1451
2000	1280	185	5	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	1479
2001	1231	188	3	7	3	n/a	n/a	0	1432
2002	1280	214	3	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	1511
2003	1280	214	3	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	1511
2004	1027	180	4	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	1226
2005	1024	189	4	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	1232
2006	1023	190	8	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	1238
2007	1014	163	8	22	2	n/a	n/a	0	1209
2008	993	164	10	22	3	n/a	n/a	0	1192
2009	950	166	11	26	4	n/a	n/a	0	1157
2010	916	182	9	32	2	n/a	n/a	0	1141
2011	872	170	12	38	2	1	39	0	1134
2012	847	147	11	45	4	2	42	0	1098
2013	827	121	10	48	5	3	45	0	1059
2014	847	114	7	38	6	4	50	0	1066
2015	835	116	9	50	4	4	53	0	1071
2016	813	110	11	44	4	3	62	0	1047
2017	819	114	14	53	3	1	59	0	1063
2018	755	96	13	88	2	0	56	0	1010
2019	757	80	10	94	1	1	54	0	997
2020	729	75	7	132	1	1	51	0	996
2021	719	73	10	176	0	1	53	0	1032
2022	712	70	7	180	2	1	57	1	1030
2023	681	85	4	233	2	1	59	1	1066

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 High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	907	53.2	17.0	n/a
1990	895	52.9	16.9	1.1
1991	838	52.8	15.8	2.1
1992	874	50.3	17.3	3.5
1993	925	56.1	16.5	3.4
1994	976	57.5	17.0	4.6
1995	1132	63.7	17.8	4.8
1996	1132	63.7	17.8	4.8
1997	1149	62.6	18.4	5.7
1998	1466	76.5	19.2	4.6
1999	1451	76.6	18.9	5.4
2000	1479	76.2	19.4	6.6
2001	1432	75.5	19.0	6.3
2002	1511	76.4	19.8	7.2
2003	1511	76.4	19.8	7.2
2004	1226	66.0	18.6	8.2
2005	1232	69.0	17.9	8.1
2006	1238	72.0	17.2	10.3
2007	1209	72.0	16.8	11.8
2008	1192	70.7	16.9	13.2
2009	1157	67.0	17.3	14.7
2010	1141	56.1	20.3	17
2011	1134	67.5	16.8	18.6
2012	1098	69.0	15.9	19.8
2013	1059	66.3	15.9	19.7
2014	1066	64.1	16.6	23.3
2015	1071	65.0	16.4	24.5
2016	1047	64.0	16.3	22.3
2017	1063	64.9	16.3	20.9
2018	1010	63.1	15.9	21.9
2019	997	61.9	16.0	21.9
2020	996	59.8	16.6	24.5
2021	1032	66.0	15.6	29.7
2022	1030	67.1	15.3	31.7
2023	1066	69.8	15.2	39.7

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 High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	907	53.2	17.0	n/a
1990	895	52.9	16.9	1.1
1991	838	52.8	15.8	2.1
1992	874	50.3	17.3	3.5
1993	925	56.1	16.5	3.4
1994	976	57.5	17.0	4.6
1995	1132	63.7	17.8	4.8
1996	1132	63.7	17.8	4.8
1997	1149	62.6	18.4	5.7
1998	1466	76.5	19.2	4.6
1999	1451	76.6	18.9	5.4
2000	1479	76.2	19.4	6.6
2001	1432	75.5	19.0	6.3
2002	1511	76.4	19.8	7.2
2003	1511	76.4	19.8	7.2
2004	1226	66.0	18.6	8.2
2005	1232	69.0	17.9	8.1
2006	1238	72.0	17.2	10.3
2007	1209	72.0	16.8	11.8
2008	1192	70.7	16.9	13.2
2009	1157	67.0	17.3	14.7
2010	1141	56.1	20.3	17
2011	1134	67.5	16.8	18.6
2012	1098	69.0	15.9	19.8
2013	1059	66.3	15.9	19.7
2014	1066	64.1	16.6	23.3
2015	1071	65.0	16.4	24.5
2016	1047	64.0	16.3	22.3
2017	1063	64.9	16.3	20.9
2018	1010	63.1	15.9	21.9
2019	997	61.9	16.0	21.9
2020	996	59.8	16.6	24.5
2021	1032	66.0	15.6	29.7
2022	1030	67.1	15.3	31.7
2023	1066	69.8	15.2	39.7

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 High

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$461 (3.2%)	$14,169 (96.8%)	$14,631
2020	$528 (3.5%)	$14,546 (96.5%)	$15,074
2021	$841 (5.3%)	$15,060 (94.7%)	$15,901
2022	$1,306 (7.7%)	$15,552 (92.3%)	$16,858
2023	$1,546 (8.8%)	$16,113 (91.2%)	$17,659

Data source: Maryland Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southern High

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 57^th of 138 High schools	Ranks 87^th of 127 High schools	27.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	997	1066	6.9%
African American	80	85	6.3%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	10	4	60%
Hispanic	94	233	147.9%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	757	681	10%
Two or More Races	54	59	9.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	21.9%	39.7%	17.8%

Schools Near Southern High

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCAP Mathematics (2024)	MCAP English Language Arts (2024)		MCAP Algebra I (2024)	MCAP Algebra II (2024)	MCAP Geometry (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southern High	Public	9-12	4400 Solomons Island Rd	Harwood	20776	Anne Arundel County	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 867-7100	1,066	70	15.2	39.7%	681 (63.9%)	85 (8.0%)	233 (21.9%)	4 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	59 (5.5%)	53.1	45^th of 146 public high schools	69.2%		38.2	87^th of 127 public high schools	31.5%	42	5.8	67.4	67.4	5.8			$17,659	$1,546	$16,113
South River High	Public, Magnet	9-12	201 Central Ave E	Edgewater	21037	Anne Arundel County	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 956-5600	1,649	101	16.3	19.1%	1,177 (71.4%)	71 (4.3%)	245 (14.9%)	77 (4.7%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	72 (4.4%)	67.2	18^th of 146 public high schools	87.7%		66.3	20^th of 127 public high schools	84.3%	2	12.3	80.9	80.9	12.3			$16,032	$1,262	$14,770
Annapolis High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2700 Riva Rd	Annapolis	21401	Anne Arundel County	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(410) 266-5240	2,127	148	14.3	59.8%	581 (27.3%)	509 (23.9%)	933 (43.9%)	36 (1.7%)	1 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	62 (2.9%)								(n/a)		49.1	49.1				$16,324	$1,396	$14,928
Dr. Henry A. Wise Junior High	Public	9-12	12650 Brooke Ln	Upper Marlboro	20772	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 780-2100	2,257	131	17.2	58.6%	47 (2.1%)	1,756 (77.8%)	408 (18.1%)	9 (0.4%)	11 (0.5%)	7 (0.3%)	18 (0.8%)								(n/a)		43.8	43.8				$17,362	$1,695	$15,666
Crofton High School	Public	9-12	2291 Davidsonville Road	Gambrills	21054	Anne Arundel County	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 451-5300	1,805	96	18.7	13.8%	974 (54.0%)	364 (20.2%)	216 (12.0%)	137 (7.6%)	8 (0.4%)	4 (0.2%)	95 (5.3%)	67.1	19^th of 146 public high schools	87.0%		64.6	22^nd of 127 public high schools	82.7%	3	17.5	81.4	81.4	17.5			$13,663	$1,140	$12,523
Bowie High	Public	9-12	15200 Annapolis Rd	Bowie	20715	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 805-2600	2,460	131	18.7	48.3%	207 (8.4%)	1,606 (65.3%)	495 (20.1%)	83 (3.4%)	16 (0.7%)	5 (0.2%)	47 (1.9%)	42.8	78^th of 146 public high schools	46.6%		45.8	70^th of 127 public high schools	44.9%	8	5.3	60.4	60.4	10.1			$16,130	$1,538	$14,593
Frederick Douglass High	Public, Magnet	9-12	8000 Croom Rd	Upper Marlboro	20772	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(301) 952-2400	1,159	65	17.8	47.2%	21 (1.8%)	1,006 (86.8%)	95 (8.2%)	7 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	25 (2.2%)								(n/a)		62.3	62.3				$17,582	$1,561	$16,022
Largo High	Public, Magnet	9-12	505 Largo Rd	Upper Marlboro	20774	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(301) 808-8880	939	64	14.6	66.3%	12 (1.3%)	788 (83.9%)	125 (13.3%)	6 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.4%)	34.7	108^th of 146 public high schools	26.0%					(n/a)		45.3	45.3			6.7	$20,929	$2,026	$18,903
International High school @ Largo	Public	9-12	505 Largo Rd	Upper Marlboro	20772	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(301) 702-3810	389	30	12.9	87.7%	4 (1.0%)	25 (6.4%)	319 (82.0%)	41 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)		18.6	18.6				$20,761	$1,419	$19,342
Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC	Public, Magnet	9-12	301 Largo Rd	Largo	20774	Prince George's County	Prince George's County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(301) 546-7247	467	23	20.3	41.5%	18 (3.9%)	333 (71.3%)	59 (12.6%)	43 (9.2%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	8 (1.7%)	81	8^th of 146 public high schools	94.5%		69.6	16^th of 127 public high schools	87.4%	8	50.3	94.5	94.5	61.8	25.0		$18,134	$1,091	$17,043

Frequently Asked Questions about Southern High

How many students attend Southern High?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,066 students attended Southern High.

Is Southern High a good school?

Southern High ranks 45^th of 146 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Southern High in?

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Southern High?

Students at Southern High are 64% White, 22% Hispanic, 8% African American, 6% Two or more races.

What schools feed into Southern High?

Southern High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Deale Elementary
Elementary : Lothian Elementary
Elementary : Shady Side Elementary
Elementary : Traceys Elementary
Middle : Southern Middle

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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.