Summary:
Zip code 21871, serving the Westover area, is home to a single middle school, Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School, which serves grades 6 and 7 with a total enrollment of 389 students. This school is part of the Somerset County Public Schools district, which ranks 23rd out of 25 districts in Maryland, placing it in the 8th percentile with a 1-star rating. The school's data reveals significant challenges, including a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 37.0% for the 2024-2025 school year, which is notably above the district average of 33.7%, and a high percentage of students (72.75%) eligible for free or reduced lunch, indicating a student body facing considerable economic hardship.
Academically, Somerset 6/7 Intermediate School consistently ranks in the bottom 26th percentile among Maryland middle schools, earning a 1-star rating. Math proficiency is critically low, with only 8.3% of all students proficient, and 6th graders performing even worse at 4.6%. English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency is also below state averages, with 34.0% of students proficient compared to the state's 51.7%. However, there is a glimmer of hope in 7th grade ELA, where proficiency reaches 40.4%, significantly higher than the 6th grade rate of 28.3%, suggesting that some instruction or student engagement improves in the later grade.
A key paradox is the school's high spending per student of $23,789, which is well above national averages, yet academic outcomes remain very low. This disconnect suggests that the school's challenges are deeply rooted in socioeconomic factors and chronic absenteeism rather than a lack of funding. The school's low student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 offers potential for individualized attention, but the 37% chronic absenteeism rate undermines this advantage. For parents, the data paints a picture of a school facing severe academic and attendance hurdles, with a notable bright spot in 7th grade ELA that could serve as a foundation for broader improvement efforts.
Thank you for your feedback!