Best Public Schools in Westover, MD

Westover, Maryland, is home to a single school, Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School, which serves grades 6 and 7 as part of the Somerset County Public Schools district, an area facing significant educational challenges.

Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School has 389 students and a low student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, but it struggles with academic performance. The school ranks in the 26th percentile among Maryland middle schools, earning a 1-star rating. Test scores are well below state averages, with only 8.3% of students proficient in mathematics and 34% proficient in English Language Arts. A major concern is the 37% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning over one in three students misses significant school time, which directly impacts learning. The school also has a very high poverty rate, with 72.75% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Despite spending a high $23,789 per student, the school has not achieved strong academic results, creating a spending paradox that suggests resources may be directed toward addressing high student needs rather than boosting test scores. There is a stark "two-speed" academic profile, with math proficiency far lower than ELA proficiency, indicating a systemic weakness in math instruction. On a positive note, the school's state ranking has improved slightly over three years, moving from the 16th to the 26th percentile, though test scores have not shown consistent growth. Any improvement strategy must prioritize tackling chronic absenteeism, as academic interventions will have limited impact if students are not present to benefit from them.