Summary:
Zip code 21788 (Thurmont, MD) is home to one middle school, Thurmont Middle, which serves grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Frederick County Public Schools district.
Thurmont Middle presents a mixed picture for parents. On one hand, the school is a standout in advanced math, with 61.3% of students proficient in Algebra I—nearly double the district average and triple the state average. However, this success contrasts sharply with overall math proficiency, which sits at just 14.6%, well below the state average of 27.1%. English Language Arts proficiency is 43.6%, also lagging behind the state. The school’s state ranking has declined over three years, from the 50th percentile to the 43rd percentile, and its star rating dropped from 3 to 2 stars. A significant concern is the chronic absenteeism rate of 22.5%, which is notably higher than the district’s 16.7% and likely a key factor in the school’s academic struggles.
Despite per-student spending of $19,223—a substantial amount—the school’s core test scores in math, ELA, and science remain below state averages. This suggests that resource allocation and instructional strategies may need reevaluation. The school’s declining trajectory, combined with high absenteeism and low overall performance, indicates that Thurmont Middle faces significant challenges. For parents, the school offers a strong advanced math program but struggles with grade-level instruction and student attendance, making it a school with clear strengths and areas needing urgent improvement.
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