Forest Oak Middle

Summary:

Forest Oak Middle is a public middle school located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, serving 922 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Montgomery County Public Schools district, which is ranked 7th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Forest Oak Middle has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (59.76%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 9.81% to 58.73% Hispanic students, the school consistently ranks in the bottom half of Maryland middle schools, with a ranking between 210-267 out of 303-328 schools over the past several years. The school's proficiency rates on the MCAP assessments are significantly lower than the Montgomery County Public Schools and Maryland state averages across all grade levels and subject areas, with a Mathematics proficiency rate of just 5.1% in the 2023-2024 school year, compared to 33.4% for Montgomery County and 24.1% for Maryland. Additionally, Forest Oak Middle has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 61.09% to 74.84% over the past three school years, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools.

In contrast, the nearby schools, such as Robert Frost Middle, Kingsview Middle, and Lakelands Park Middle, generally perform much better academically, suggesting that Forest Oak Middle faces significant challenges in meeting the needs of its diverse student population and addressing the racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps that are evident in the school's performance.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 651 Saybrooke Oaks Blvd
       Gaithersburg, MD  20877


(240) 740-7570

District: Montgomery County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
267th of 328 Maryland Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,457 Help


Students who attend Forest Oak Middle usually attend:

High:    Gaithersburg High

Feeder schools for Forest Oak Middle:

Elementary:    Goshen Elementary
    Rosemont Elementary
    Summit Hall Elementary
    Washington Grove Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  14.5 Help
Number of students:  922

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
59.8%
African American:
23.0%
White:
7.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  74.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Forest Oak Middle ranks worse than 81.4% of middle schools in Maryland. It also ranks 39th among 40 ranked middle schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 17.73. (See more...)
Help
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: Hispanic (59.8%), African American (23%), White (7.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 74.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Forest Oak Middle is 14.5, which is the 14th best among 40 middle schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Forest Oak Middle employs 63.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Forest Oak Middle is $18,457, which is the 16th highest among 40 middle schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Forest Oak Middle was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Forest Oak Middle 267th of 328 Maryland public middle schools. (See Forest Oak Middle in the ranking list.)

Montgomery County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Montgomery County Public Schools 7th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Forest Oak Middle.

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Rank History for Forest Oak Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 40.17 160th 252 36.5%
2005 50.28 130th 255 49.0%
2006 37.41 160th 254 37.0%
2007 38.12 163rd 264 38.3%
2008 56.34 147th 283 48.1%
2009 55.34 165th 301 45.2%
2010 55.13 170th 324 47.5%
2011 57.62 145th 309 53.1%
2012 54.59 168th 314 46.5%
2013 43.65 193rd 316 38.9%
2014 59.99 151st 339 55.5%
2015 30.74 214th 315 32.1%
2016 31.74 216th 314 31.2%
2017 31.85 213th 317 32.8%
2018 27.77 231st 328 29.6%
2019 22.83 235th 316 25.6%
2021 30.57 210th 303 30.7%
2022 29.50 230th 333 30.9%
2023 20.89 252nd 322 21.7%
2024 17.73 267th 328 18.6%
See the entire list of Maryland Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.57 236th 273 13.6%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 33.52 198th 303 34.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 26.94 214th 288 25.7%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 17.52 107th 116 7.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 54.81 106th 259 59.1%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 28.33 159th 207 23.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Forest Oak Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 41.30 123rd 210 41.4%
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.

Forest Oak Middle Test Scores
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Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.5)
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Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, December 9, 2018

Open Quote It is a horrible school. A lot of the kids smoke. Close Quote


by a student
Friday, May 27, 2016

Open Quote I currently go to Forest Oak. I will give you my review as a girl in 7th grade. First, I believe it is of utmost importance that I describe the general student body. The school is made up of predominantly wild and rowdy students. The teachers have little to no control over them, and often don't do anything about said students. Let me make it clear that I do not feel safe at FOMS. I wish I could believe that I have nothing to fear, that the teachers can stop rowdy behavior, but I cannot. I feel as though I alone am obligated to keep me safe, because no one else will. I once believed in the school, so I went to the office and reported a boy who rode my bus because he was making everyone around him miserable and I had had enough of seeing these people suffer. I waited days for some kind of follow up, some kind of intervention between the boy and the bus. I received no response or follow-up on the issue, and the boy still currently messes with everyone around him. The school claims to prioritize the safety of the students, but I have seen no evidence of that at all. I've had my share of shoves, pushes, insults, and directed profanity both in the halls and in classrooms. In both situations, there is usually and adult close by that does nothing to help. Students must learn to adapt to the harsh environment and fend for themselves. I'd say this is the issue I have the most with FOMS: the students.

Next, we have the staff. The staff is mediocre. Sure, they give you a pep talk every now and then, maybe give you a piece of candy. These things don't go unappreciated. However, they do nothing to help you if they see you being bullied unless you're literally on the brink of getting in a physical fight. And yes, fights have become as normal to see at FOMS as we see the trash collectors emptying our trash bins. It's become normal to see. The teachers teach us, tell us to behave, but they don't do much to protect you. I can't remember the last time a teacher stood up for a victim of harassment.

Overall, I will say that I dislike Forest Oak Middle School. It's a dangerous environment. The students, generally speaking, are loud, destructive, rude, and inconsiderate. Chances are, when you go to FOMS, you will get picked on. You will probably strongly dislike the wild environment. I do not recommend attending Forest Oak if you seek a docile and professional school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Forest Oak Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 284 101 72 104 2 n/a n/a 0 563
1996 284 101 72 104 2 n/a n/a 0 563
1997 422 160 106 152 2 n/a n/a 0 842
1998 428 185 107 148 1 n/a n/a 0 869
1999 423 214 102 178 1 n/a n/a 0 918
2000 386 214 103 201 1 n/a n/a 0 905
2001 363 213 90 241 1 n/a n/a 0 908
2002 376 237 93 299 3 n/a n/a 0 1008
2003 376 237 93 299 3 n/a n/a 0 1008
2004 330 243 105 310 3 n/a n/a 0 991
2005 284 231 95 308 1 n/a n/a 0 919
2006 235 231 88 317 0 n/a n/a 0 871
2007 229 206 77 291 2 n/a n/a 0 805
2008 195 212 82 295 1 n/a n/a 0 785
2009 194 223 102 303 2 n/a n/a 0 824
2010 199 216 104 326 2 n/a n/a 0 847
2011 178 205 97 334 1 0 38 0 853
2012 142 199 78 325 2 0 41 0 787
2013 118 199 74 344 3 0 33 0 771
2014 117 224 72 361 1 1 39 0 815
2015 112 225 61 390 3 0 33 0 824
2016 107 228 60 377 3 0 29 0 804
2017 103 194 62 396 3 1 30 0 789
2018 88 222 55 468 1 1 26 0 861
2019 95 212 51 476 1 1 28 0 864
2020 95 228 52 547 1 1 26 0 950
2021 85 212 61 534 0 2 26 0 920
2022 69 222 65 535 0 1 25 0 917
2023 72 212 60 551 0 1 23 3 922

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 Forest Oak Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 563 36.0 15.6 25
1996 563 36.0 15.6 25
1997 842 51.3 16.4 24
1998 869 53.5 16.2 25.3
1999 918 53.6 17.1 31.4
2000 905 60.6 14.9 30.7
2001 908 57.9 15.7 31.2
2002 1008 58.2 17.3 34.5
2003 1008 58.2 17.3 34.5
2004 991 61.6 16.1 36.5
2005 919 59.0 15.6 39.8
2006 871 57.0 15.3 37.3
2007 805 61.5 13.1 41.2
2008 785 59.2 13.3 40
2009 824 53.4 15.4 45.1
2010 847 56.4 15.0 46.6
2011 853 57.4 14.8 49.7
2012 787 54.6 14.4 51.7
2013 771 56.0 13.7 53.3
2014 815 59.6 13.6 56.6
2015 824 58.0 14.2 59.5
2016 804 59.0 13.6 58.6
2017 789 57.6 13.6 57.2
2018 861 60.2 14.3 58.1
2019 864 62.4 13.8 56.5
2020 950 66.6 14.2 56.3
2021 920 71.6 12.8 61.1
2022 917 66.0 13.8 64.3
2023 922 63.2 14.5 74.8

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 Forest Oak Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 563 36.0 15.6 25
1996 563 36.0 15.6 25
1997 842 51.3 16.4 24
1998 869 53.5 16.2 25.3
1999 918 53.6 17.1 31.4
2000 905 60.6 14.9 30.7
2001 908 57.9 15.7 31.2
2002 1008 58.2 17.3 34.5
2003 1008 58.2 17.3 34.5
2004 991 61.6 16.1 36.5
2005 919 59.0 15.6 39.8
2006 871 57.0 15.3 37.3
2007 805 61.5 13.1 41.2
2008 785 59.2 13.3 40
2009 824 53.4 15.4 45.1
2010 847 56.4 15.0 46.6
2011 853 57.4 14.8 49.7
2012 787 54.6 14.4 51.7
2013 771 56.0 13.7 53.3
2014 815 59.6 13.6 56.6
2015 824 58.0 14.2 59.5
2016 804 59.0 13.6 58.6
2017 789 57.6 13.6 57.2
2018 861 60.2 14.3 58.1
2019 864 62.4 13.8 56.5
2020 950 66.6 14.2 56.3
2021 920 71.6 12.8 61.1
2022 917 66.0 13.8 64.3
2023 922 63.2 14.5 74.8

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 Forest Oak Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $580 (3.5%) $15,826 (96.5%) $16,406
2020 $410 (2.6%) $15,072 (97.4%) $15,482
2021 $743 (4.4%) $16,279 (95.6%) $17,022
2022 $1,194 (7.1%) $15,521 (92.9%) $16,716
2023 $901 (4.9%) $17,556 (95.1%) $18,457

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Forest Oak 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 235th of 316 Middle schoolsRanks 252nd of 322 Middle schools
 3.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students864922
 6.7%
African American212212
American Indian10
 100%
Asian5160
 17.6%
Hispanic476551
 15.8%
Pacific Islander11
White9572
 24.2%
Two or More Races2823
 17.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients56.5%74.8%
 18.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Oak Middle

Students at Forest Oak Middle are 60% Hispanic, 23% African American, 8% White, 7% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

Students who attend Forest Oak Middle usually go on to attend Gaithersburg High

In the 2022-23 school year, 922 students attended Forest Oak Middle.

Forest Oak Middle ranks in the bottom 18.6% of Maryland middle schools.


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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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