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Needs Improvement

#2777 of 2,846 schools in PA

Ambridge Area MS

Middle School · Ambridge Area SD

401 First Street, Freedom, PA 15042

Enrollment

475

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

2.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,777 of 2,846

In Freedom

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Ambridge Area SD

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Ambridge Area MS

2.8/10

Middle School in Freedom · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Economy EL Sch

7.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Baden Academy Cs

3.4/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ambridge Area MS

Ambridge Area MS is a public middle school in Freedom, PA, part of Ambridge Area SD. Ambridge Area MS serves approximately 475 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ambridge Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,777 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Ambridge Area MS show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.6 pts below PA schools
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Ambridge Area MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,071
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

Ambridge Area MS — Students at Ambridge Area MS score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
10.3%
ELA
47%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.3/10.

How Ambridge Area MS Compares

See how Ambridge Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
3th percentile in PA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

401 First Street, Freedom, PA 15042

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ambridge Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rochester MS (rated 8.4/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Rochester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Haine MS (rated 7.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Cranberry Twp), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Freedom Area MS (rated 6.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Freedom, see our Freedom schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Economy El Sch Freedom 0.3 mi 7.0
Baden Academy CS Baden 1.7 mi 3.4
Freedom Area SHS Freedom 1.7 mi 5.6
Freedom Area MS Freedom 1.8 mi 6.4
Freedom Area El Sch Freedom 1.9 mi 8.5
State Street El Sch Baden 2.7 mi 4.5
THE HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Aliquippa 4.0 mi
Central Valley MS Monaca 3.5 mi 4.6
Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa 4.6 mi 5.1
Highland El Sch Ambridge 5.1 mi 2.6
Ambridge Area HS Ambridge 5.2 mi 5.3
Rochester High School Rochester 4.5 mi 8.1
Rochester MS Rochester 4.5 mi 8.4
Rochester Area Elementary School Rochester 4.5 mi 7.6
Todd Lane El Sch Monaca 4.6 mi 7.1
Haine MS Cranberry Twp 4.8 mi 7.8
Haine El Sch Cranberry Twp 4.8 mi 7.3
Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa 5.3 mi 2.8
Hopewell SHS Aliquippa 5.9 mi 7.5
Margaret Ross El Sch Aliquippa 5.8 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,576

Median Home Value

$231,800

Median Rent

$1,598/mo

Population

7,859

College Educated

33.8%

Homeownership

84.7%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

54.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg, PA 2.7
Beaver Falls MS Beaver Falls, PA 3.1
Kiski Area IHS Vandergrift, PA 3.2
Pittsburgh South Hills 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 3.2
Spring Cove MS Roaring Spring, PA 3.2
Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA 2.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ambridge Area MS

What grades does Ambridge Area MS serve?

Ambridge Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ambridge Area MS?

Ambridge Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ambridge Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Ambridge Area MS is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ambridge Area MS rank in PA?

Ambridge Area MS ranks #2,777 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Ambridge Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Ambridge Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ambridge Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ambridge Area MS has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ambridge Area MS a charter school?

No, Ambridge Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ambridge Area MS a Title I school?

No, Ambridge Area MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ambridge Area MS?

100.0% of students at Ambridge Area MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Beaver County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

Ambridge Area SD
District Enrollment
2,198
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,071
District Rank
#4 of 5

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