Excellent
#2 of 2,842 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
9.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
1,030
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
9.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania middle schools
#1 of 514
In district
#2 of 11
Lower Merion SD
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Black Rock MS
Black Rock MS is a public middle school in Villanova, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 1,030 students in grades 5 through 8. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7 to 1, classes stay small enough for meaningful individual attention throughout the middle school years. Academically, Black Rock stands apart from virtually every school in the state.
It ranks #1 among 514 public middle schools in Pennsylvania and sits at #2 out of 2,842 public schools statewide — outperforming 100% of Pennsylvania schools on composite measures. That performance earns an overall score of 9.7 out of 10 and an academic rating of 9.5 out of 10, placing the school firmly in Exceptional territory. For families comparing options across the Lower Merion School District, Black Rock ranks #2 among the district's 11 schools, reflecting consistently strong results in a competitive local peer group.
Parents searching for a high-performing public middle school in the Philadelphia suburbs will find Black Rock MS among the most credentialed options available anywhere in Pennsylvania. The combination of small class sizes, exceptional academic outcomes, and a grade 5–8 structure gives students a focused, multi-year environment during a critical stage of their education.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Black Rock MS offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Black Rock MS — Students at Black Rock MS score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
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.
Funding & Resources
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 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Rosemont), with a comparable rating. Another option is Coopertown El Sch (rated 9.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Bryn Mawr), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Radnor SHS (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Radnor), 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 | 8.4 |
| Radnor SHS Radnor | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| 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 | 9.3 |
| Gulph EL Sch King Of Prussia | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 9.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Black Rock MS has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 89% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,007,400. The local poverty rate of 1.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Radnor MS Wayne, PA | 9.5 |
| Bala-Cynwyd MS Bala Cynwyd, PA | 9.3 |
| Welsh Valley MS Narberth, PA | 9.2 |
| Springton Lake MS Media, PA | 9.0 |
| Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.6 |
| Hershey MS Hershey, PA | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #2 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Black Rock MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Black Rock MS has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Black Rock MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black Rock MS has 81.8% math proficiency and 86.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (484) 418-2222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lower Merion SD- District Enrollment
- 8,518
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,428
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
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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