When each school began to plan their important work based on AACPS’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan during the spring of 2018, school teams reflected on their school culture, their community, and the key factors contributing to student achievement.  Each school was then asked to consider which Strategic Plan Indicators would have the greatest positive impact for their students. School leadership teams selected indicators and developed plans to focus and guide their efforts.  Please come with us on our journey as we describe why, what, and how we do our work to serve our students and families of our school.

Southern High School welcomes just over 1000 students within a geographic area that covers approximately one quarter of Anne Arundel County. Southern High School is the heart of the community and has served multiple generations of families that have been raised, and remain, in South County. Our community has tremendous pride in the school and its traditions. School spirit is strong for both current students and alumni.  Although the smallest high school in the county, our school does offer a comprehensive high school program including a variety of courses and completer opportunities.  

Our student body is diverse in socioeconomic status and in student needs. While many of our students consistently attend school, daily attendance for all students will be a primary focal point for the year. There is also a strong correlation between attendance and promotion from ninth to tenth grade. While the majority of our students feel connected to a club, team, group, or mentor beyond the classroom, “many” is simply not good enough; all students should feel connected to a peer, adult, club, group, or organization at the school. We aim to create a stronger sense of community for all of our students, staff, and families.

It is our hope that in five years, our community, teachers, parents, and students will say that Southern High School is a place where they feel valued and welcomed, where students have a reason or a connection that motivates them to attend school on a daily basis and further develop their personal interests; and where our students are engaged in and exposed to college and career experiences starting on their first day of high school. Based on the information above and our long-term plan, Southern High School will focus on rigor, readiness, and most importantly, quality relationships.