Summary:
In zip code 21074, Hampstead, MD, there are two public middle schools—Shiloh Middle and North Carroll Middle—serving grades 6 through 8 within the highly-rated Carroll County Public Schools district, which ranks 2nd in Maryland.
Shiloh Middle stands out as the stronger overall performer, ranking 51st in the state (85th percentile) compared to North Carroll Middle's 70th place (79th percentile). Shiloh is a math powerhouse, with overall math proficiency at 35.6%—well above the state average of 27.1%—and its Algebra I proficiency of 62.5% is nearly triple the state average. It also benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio (14.5 vs. 15.7) and higher per-student spending ($17,500 vs. $16,009). In contrast, North Carroll Middle excels in English Language Arts, with an overall ELA proficiency of 73.6%—5.5 points higher than Shiloh's 68.1%—and its 8th-grade ELA score of 80.1% is exceptional. Both schools outperform the state in science (around 46% vs. 30.9%) and have chronic absenteeism rates below the district average of 19.5%.
Key takeaways include that Shiloh's advanced math program is a major differentiator, while North Carroll leads in literacy. Socioeconomic factors show North Carroll has a slightly higher free/reduced lunch rate (30.03% vs. 27.26%) and absenteeism (18.8% vs. 17.2%), which may influence performance gaps. Despite their different strengths, both schools demonstrate strong 8th-grade ELA results, reflecting a district-wide focus on literacy. For parents, Shiloh offers a math-focused edge with more resources, while North Carroll provides a strong ELA foundation—both within a top-tier district.
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