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Needs Improvement

#2799 of 2,842 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

3.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Freedom

#5 of 5

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#509 of 514

In district

#3 of 5

Ambridge Area SD

About Ambridge Area MS

Ambridge Area MS is a regular public middle school located in Freedom, Pennsylvania. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 475 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is in a large suburban area that offers both community resources and a quieter environment compared to urban settings.

While Ambridge Area MS currently ranks #2641 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (7th percentile), it focuses on continuous improvement for its students. On the MySchoolScout Rating, the school scores a 3.0 out of 10, reflecting areas with room for academic growth. In ELA/Reading proficiency, 51% of students are at or above grade level, while in Math, only 19% meet proficiency standards.

Ambridge Area MS is situated in a large suburban area that provides a supportive community environment for its young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,347

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 (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
45%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Ambridge Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in PA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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 8.6/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Rochester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Haine MS (rated 6.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Cranberry Twp), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Freedom Area MS (rated 5.6/10, 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 7.7
Baden Academy CS Baden 1.7 mi 3.8
Freedom Area SHS Freedom 1.7 mi 6.2
Freedom Area MS Freedom 1.8 mi 5.6
Freedom Area El Sch Freedom 1.9 mi 7.7
State Street El Sch Baden 2.7 mi 3.0
THE HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Aliquippa 4.0 mi
Central Valley MS Monaca 3.5 mi 4.2
Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa 4.6 mi 5.7
Highland El Sch Ambridge 5.1 mi 2.9
Ambridge Area HS Ambridge 5.2 mi 4.4
Rochester High School Rochester 4.5 mi 8.4
Rochester MS Rochester 4.5 mi 8.6
Rochester Area Elementary School Rochester 4.5 mi 6.8
Todd Lane El Sch Monaca 4.6 mi 5.2
Haine MS Cranberry Twp 4.8 mi 6.6
Haine El Sch Cranberry Twp 4.8 mi 6.0
Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa 5.3 mi 4.6
Hopewell SHS Aliquippa 5.9 mi 7.4
Margaret Ross El Sch Aliquippa 5.8 mi 8.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ambridge Area MS has a median household income of $76,576. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,800, with a median rent of $1,598/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Northeastern MS Mount Wolf, PA 3.3
Beaver Falls MS Beaver Falls, PA 3.4
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg, PA 3.4
Kiski Area IHS Vandergrift, PA 3.6
Plum MS Pittsburgh, PA 3.6
Exeter Twp JHS Reading, PA 3.7

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 is ranked #2799 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Ambridge Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Ambridge Area MS has a composite rating of 3.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ambridge Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ambridge Area MS has 19.0% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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