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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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics9.5Exceptional58%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.1%
Math vs. State Avg+38.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.7 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional42%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,131

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%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 86.0%
School
State
53.2%

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
9.7/10
100th percentile in PA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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