Summary:
In zip code 21632, there is one middle school, Colonel Richardson Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with 390 students in Federalsburg, Maryland, a community with a high poverty rate as indicated by 68.46% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Colonel Richardson Middle School presents a mixed academic profile. The school is a standout in English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies, consistently outperforming both the Caroline County Public Schools district and state averages. In the 2025-2026 school year, overall ELA proficiency reached 53%, and 8th grade Social Studies hit 50% the prior year. However, the school struggles significantly in general Mathematics, with only 16.2% of students proficient, well below the state average of 27.1%. An interesting anomaly is the school's exceptional performance in Algebra I, where 52% of test-takers were proficient, compared to just 21.3% statewide, suggesting a strong accelerated math program for a select group of students while the majority struggle with grade-level math. The school also has a high per-student spending of $19,945 and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, yet chronic absenteeism is a concern at 28.6%.
Overall, Colonel Richardson Middle School is a stable, middle-of-the-pack performer, ranking in the 56th percentile statewide (3 stars) for the 2025-2026 school year, a position it has held consistently for three years. The school shows a clear strength in literacy and humanities but a weakness in STEM fundamentals, particularly general math and science (where 8th grade science proficiency is 28.3% vs. 30.9% statewide). Parents should note the "two-tiered" math program and the 8th grade dip in performance, which may warrant attention as students prepare for high school.
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