Summary:
Zip code 20776 in Harwood, Maryland, is home to a single high school, Southern High, which serves grades 9 through 12 as part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district. With 1,080 students, this school presents a unique and contrasting academic profile that parents should carefully consider.
The most striking feature of Southern High is the dramatic gap between its subject performances. The school excels in English Language Arts (ELA), with 64.5% of students proficient—significantly higher than both the state and district averages. However, math proficiency is critically low at just 5.2%, which is over 20 percentage points below the state average. This paradox is especially notable given the school's high spending of $19,270 per student, raising questions about how resources are allocated to address this weakness. The school also has a strong graduation rate of 92.6% and a low dropout rate of 3.2%, but struggles with chronic absenteeism, which affects over a quarter of students (25.5%)—well above the district average.
Parents should also be aware of a declining trend at Southern High. The school's state ranking has dropped from the 69th percentile (4 stars) to the 58th percentile (3 stars) over the past two years. While the school is a standout for its ELA performance and student retention, the combination of falling math scores, high chronic absenteeism, and a downward trajectory suggests systemic challenges that may require focused attention. For families prioritizing strong reading and writing programs, this school offers clear strengths, but those concerned about math education may want to investigate further.
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