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Excellent

#2 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 1% in state

Black Rock MS

Middle School · Lower Merion SD

1860 W Montgomery Ave, Villanova, PA 19085

Enrollment

1,030

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

9.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2 of 2,846

In district

#2 of 11

Lower Merion SD

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Black Rock MS

9.8/10

Middle School in Villanova · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Grayson School

8.6/10

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

Archbishop John Carroll High School

5.4/10

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

About Black Rock MS

Black Rock MS is a public middle school in Villanova, PA, part of Lower Merion SD. Black Rock MS serves approximately 1,030 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Black Rock MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10 and ranks #2 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Black Rock MS show 82% math proficiency (2024 PSSA) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 PSSA).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 9.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.3
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Black Rock MS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics9.6Excellent58%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+38.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.7 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent42%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,428
Chronic Absenteeism5.4%

Black Rock MS — Students at Black Rock MS score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 81.8% (2024 PSSA)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 86.0% (2024 PSSA)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

How Black Rock MS Compares

See how Black Rock MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.8/10
100th percentile in PA
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.4%

Location

1860 W Montgomery Ave, Villanova, PA 19085

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black Rock MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harriton SHS (rated 9.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Rosemont), with a very similar rating. Another option is Radnor SHS (rated 9.6/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Radnor), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Coopertown El Sch (rated 9.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Bryn Mawr), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Villanova, see our Villanova schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
THE GRAYSON SCHOOL Radnor 0.8 mi 8.6
ARCHBISHOP JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Radnor 0.8 mi 5.4
ST KATHERINE DAY SCHOOL -UPPER Radnor 0.8 mi 8.4
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Malvern 0.8 mi 6.1
HOLY CHILD SCHOOL AT ROSEMONT Bryn Mawr 1.4 mi 7.0
Radnor El Sch Radnor 1.1 mi 8.9
Radnor SHS Radnor 1.2 mi 9.6
TRINITY NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN King Of Prussia 1.5 mi
THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL Bryn Mawr 1.5 mi 7.5
Harriton SHS Rosemont 1.3 mi 9.8
Gulph EL Sch King Of Prussia 2.2 mi 8.0
JACK M BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY Bryn Mawr 2.2 mi 8.4
MAIN LINE CLASSICAL ACADEMY INC Bryn Mawr 2.4 mi 8.4
ST ALOYSIUS ACADEMY Bryn Mawr 2.4 mi 8.0
THE SHIPLEY SCHOOL Bryn Mawr 2.2 mi 7.2
HILL TOP PREPARATORY SCHOOL Bryn Mawr 2.4 mi 7.4
SACRED HEART ACADEMY BRYN MAWR Bryn Mawr 2.5 mi 8.1
Coopertown El Sch Bryn Mawr 2.8 mi 9.2
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY Wayne 2.3 mi 7.8
ST KATHARINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Wayne 2.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$1,007,400

Population

10,679

College Educated

89.1%

Homeownership

99.4%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Poverty Rate

1.9%

Median Age

20.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA 9.3
Radnor MS Wayne, PA 9.1
Bala-Cynwyd MS Bala Cynwyd, PA 9.0
Welsh Valley MS Narberth, PA 9.0
Peters Twp MS Mcmurray, PA 8.9
Dorseyville MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black Rock MS

What grades does Black Rock MS serve?

Black Rock MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Black Rock MS?

Black Rock MS has an enrollment of approximately 1,030 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Rock MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Black Rock MS is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black Rock MS rank in PA?

Black Rock MS ranks #2 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Black Rock MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Black Rock MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 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 Black Rock MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Black Rock MS has 82% math proficiency (2024 PSSA) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 PSSA).

Is Black Rock MS a charter school?

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

Is Black Rock MS a Title I school?

No, Black Rock MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black Rock MS?

15.7% of students at Black Rock 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
1,030
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.4%

District

Lower Merion SD
District Enrollment
8,518
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,428
District Rank
#2 of 11

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