Photo: Cecouchman · CC BY-SA 3.0Oakland’s public schools outscore 52% of Maryland districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Oakland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Oakland’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 69 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Oakland’s, its schools beat 64%, higher than their 52% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 43% and math 27% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $28,991 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then one middle school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Southern Garrett High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Oakland’s grade
B−: better than 52% of Maryland school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Oakland, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Oakland · depends on your address
Broad Ford Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 601 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northern Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 305 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Accident
Swan Meadow School
Grades K–8 · 54 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Oakland
Southern Garrett High School
Grades 7–12 · 870 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Oakland’s public schools are run by Garrett County Public Schools, which also serves Accident, Deer Park, Friendsville and Grantsville and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Oakland vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Oakland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland | B− | Garrett County |
| Mountain Lake Park | B− | Garrett County |
Every school in Oakland
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Oakland’s schools
Are Oakland’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Maryland: the public schools Oakland children attend outscore 52% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 64%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Oakland in?
Garrett County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,405 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
What is Oakland’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Garrett County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Oakland spend per student?
$28,991 in Garrett County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Oakland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Oakland → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.