Average
#1867 of 2,842 schools in PA
Blue Mountain MS
Middle School · Blue Mountain SD
685 Red Dale Rd, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Enrollment
571
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
571
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orwigsburg
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#330 of 514
In district
#4 of 4
Blue Mountain SD
About Blue Mountain MS
Blue Mountain Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural outskirts of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. The school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 571 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, Blue Mountain MS provides personalized attention to each student.
There are 43 full-time equivalent teachers committed to the academic and social development of their middle schoolers. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among Pennsylvania schools at rank #1840 out of 2852. Academically, Blue Mountain MS shows strengths in ELA/Reading, with 60% of students achieving proficiency or above, while Math scores indicate room for improvement, with only 34% proficient or above.
Blue Mountain Middle School is nestled in a quiet rural setting near the town of Orwigsburg, offering a peaceful environment conducive to learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Blue Mountain 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
View breakdown
Blue Mountain MS — Students at Blue Mountain MS score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Blue Mountain MS Compares
See how Blue Mountain MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 35.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 57.6% (2024).
Location
685 Red Dale Rd, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Blue Mountain MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lengel MS (rated 6.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Pottsville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hamburg Area Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Hamburg), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Schuylkill Haven MS (rated 4.3/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Schuylkill Haven), a more accessible option. For more schools in Orwigsburg, see our Orwigsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain El East School Orwigsburg | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Blue Mountain HS Schuylkill Haven | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Schuylkill Haven El Ctr Schuylkill Haven | 4.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Schuylkill Haven SHS Schuylkill Haven | 4.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Schuylkill Haven MS Schuylkill Haven | 4.7 mi | 4.3 |
| NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL Pottsville | 6.0 mi | 5.5 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN SDA ELEMENTARY Hamburg | 7.4 mi | — |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACADEMY Hamburg | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL Pottsville | 6.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Saint Clair Area El/MS Saint Clair | 6.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Gillingham Charter School Pottsville | 6.2 mi | 6.5 |
| THE PERCEPTION TRAINING CENTER, INC. Pottsville | 6.7 mi | — |
| PERCEPTION TRAINING CENTER Pottsville | 6.7 mi | — |
| Lengel MS Pottsville | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Pottsville Area HS Pottsville | 6.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Clarke El Ctr Pottsville | 7.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Tilden El Center Hamburg | 8.6 mi | 4.4 |
| ST JOSEPH CENTER FOR SPECIAL LEARNING Pottsville | 7.2 mi | — |
| Hamburg Area HS Hamburg | 9.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Hamburg Area Middle School Hamburg | 9.4 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17961 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,354
Median Home Value
$223,700
Median Rent
$925/mo
Population
6,711
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
78.9%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
46
Community Profile
The community surrounding Blue Mountain MS has a median household income of $96,354. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,700, with a median rent of $925/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Nitschmann MS Bethlehem, PA | 5.7 |
| Red Lion Area JHS Red Lion, PA | 5.7 |
| Spring Forge Intrd Sch Manchester, PA | 5.7 |
| Wyoming Area Intermediate Ctr West Pittston, PA | 5.7 |
| Albert Gallatin North MS Mcclellandtown, PA | 5.8 |
| Benjamin Franklin MS Levittown, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blue Mountain MS
What grades does Blue Mountain MS serve?
Blue Mountain MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Blue Mountain MS?
Blue Mountain MS has an enrollment of approximately 571 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Mountain MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Blue Mountain MS is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Blue Mountain MS rank in PA?
Blue Mountain MS is ranked #1867 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Blue Mountain MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Blue Mountain MS has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Blue Mountain MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Mountain MS has 34.3% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Blue Mountain MS a charter school?
No, Blue Mountain MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Blue Mountain MS a Title I school?
No, Blue Mountain MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Mountain MS?
38.9% of students at Blue Mountain 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (799/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Orwigsburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 571
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Schuylkill County
- Phone
- (570) 366-0546
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Blue Mountain SD- District Enrollment
- 2,486
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,079
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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