Very Good
#789 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 28% in state
Big Spring MS
Middle School · Big Spring SD
43 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newville
#2 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#120 of 514
In district
#2 of 5
Big Spring SD
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Big Spring MS
Big Spring MS is a middle school located in the rural setting near Newville, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 543 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. Big Spring MS has 46 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social needs of its middle schoolers.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 5.7 out of 10, with a state ranking of #1372 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it around the 52nd percentile statewide. The Academic Score is 5.4/10, indicating there is room for growth and improvement in academic performance. In terms of proficiency rates, 60% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% are proficient or above in Math.
Big Spring MS is situated in a rural area that offers a close-knit community feel. With its focus on student development and support, the school aims to provide a nurturing environment for middle schoolers as they navigate their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Big Spring MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Big Spring MS — Students at Big Spring MS score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.9/10.
How Big Spring MS Compares
See how Big Spring MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 39% (2019) to 37.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 59.5% (2024).
Location
43 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Spring MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mount Rock Elem Sch (rated 8.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is James Burd El Sch (rated 8.0/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Shippensburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newville, see our Newville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Rock Elem Sch Newville | 0.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Big Spring HS Newville | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Oak Flat El Sch Newville | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Newville El Sch Newville | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| GREEN SPRING MENNONITE SCHOOL Newville | 4.6 mi | — |
| YELLOW BREECHES EDUCATIONAL CENTER Carlisle | 4.9 mi | 7.9 |
| BLUE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Carlisle | 5.7 mi | 5.5 |
| RIVER ROCK ACADEMY NEWVILLE CAMPUS Newville | 5.5 mi | 6.7 |
| CEDAR KNOLL PAROCHIAL Shippensburg | 6.8 mi | — |
| HICKORY LANE SCHOOL Newburg | 7.0 mi | — |
| North Dickinson El Sch Carlisle | 7.3 mi | 4.3 |
| MEADOW RUN SCHOOL Newburg | 7.4 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Newburg | 8.3 mi | — |
| OAK GROVE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Shippensburg | 9.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Shippensburg Area Intrm Sch Shippensburg | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
| James Burd El Sch Shippensburg | 10.6 mi | 8.0 |
| THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Carlisle | 9.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Grace B Luhrs Univ Elem Shippensburg | 10.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Carlisle Area HS Carlisle | 9.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Carlisle | 9.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,371
Median Home Value
$208,400
Median Rent
$978/mo
Population
11,094
College Educated
16.6%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Spring MS has a median household income of $75,371. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,400, with a median rent of $978/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Grove City Area MS Grove City, PA | 7.3 |
| Harbor Creek Junior HS Harborcreek, PA | 7.3 |
| James W Parker MS Edinboro, PA | 7.3 |
| Scott MS Coatesville, PA | 7.3 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg, PA | 7.2 |
| Dingman-Delaware MS Dingmans Ferry, PA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Spring MS
What grades does Big Spring MS serve?
Big Spring MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Big Spring MS?
Big Spring MS has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Spring MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Spring MS is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Spring MS rank in PA?
Big Spring MS is ranked #789 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Big Spring MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Spring MS has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Big Spring MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Spring MS has 35.1% math proficiency and 60.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Spring MS a charter school?
No, Big Spring MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Spring MS a Title I school?
No, Big Spring MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Spring MS?
42.5% of students at Big Spring 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 543
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cumberland County
- Phone
- (717) 776-2471
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Spring SD- District Enrollment
- 2,379
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,873
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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