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Below Average

#2559 of 2,842 schools in PA

California Area MS

Middle School · California Area SD

11 Trojan Way, Coal Center, PA 15423

Enrollment

147

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coal Center

#3 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#463 of 514

In district

#2 of 3

California Area SD

About California Area MS

California Area MS is a middle school located in Coal Center, Pennsylvania, serving students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 147 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes, fostering a supportive learning environment. The faculty consists of 11 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students grow academically and socially.

While California Area MS has room for improvement in academic performance, it focuses on student development beyond standardized test scores. In ELA/Reading, 58% of students are proficient or above, which is a positive indicator of literacy skills. However, only 26% of students meet proficiency standards in math, suggesting areas where the school can further enhance its curriculum and teaching methods.

Situated in a rural area near Coal Center, California Area MS is part of a close-knit community that values education and supports local youth. The setting provides a tranquil backdrop for learning, with opportunities for extracurricular activities that connect students to their surroundings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 147 students, California Area MS is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, California Area 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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,364

California Area MS — Students at California Area MS score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.8%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
53.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
20%
ELA
52.8%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How California Area MS Compares

See how California Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

11 Trojan Way, Coal Center, PA 15423

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering California Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Belle Vernon Area MS (rated 6.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Belle Vernon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brownsville Area MS (rated 6.2/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Brownsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charleroi Area MS (rated 6.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Charleroi), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Coal Center, see our Coal Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
California Area SHS Coal Center 0.0 mi 4.8
California Area El Sch Coal Center 0.2 mi 4.1
California Academy of Learning CS Coal Center 0.2 mi 5.3
Brownsville Area El Sch Brownsville 3.0 mi 5.8
Brownsville Area MS Brownsville 3.1 mi 6.2
Brownsville Area HS Brownsville 3.2 mi 5.3
Mon Valley Career and Technology Center Charleroi 5.5 mi
CALVARY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fredericktown 5.1 mi 5.8
Bethlehem-Center El Sch Fredericktown 5.6 mi 7.1
Bethlehem-Center JSHS Fredericktown 5.7 mi 3.9
Monessen SHS Monessen 7.1 mi 6.0
Monessen MS Monessen 7.1 mi 5.7
ST SEBASTIAN REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Belle Vernon 7.0 mi 6.4
Charleroi Area El Ctr Charleroi 7.7 mi 7.6
Monessen El Ctr Monessen 7.5 mi 5.3
Charleroi Area MS Charleroi 7.8 mi 6.2
Charleroi Area HS Charleroi 7.8 mi 4.3
Belle Vernon Area MS Belle Vernon 6.8 mi 6.4
Marion El Sch Belle Vernon 6.9 mi 6.2
Bentworth El Ctr Bentleyville 7.3 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15423 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,662

Median Home Value

$171,700

Median Rent

$983/mo

Population

1,942

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding California Area MS has a median household income of $70,662. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,700, with a median rent of $983/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia, PA 4.6
Claysburg-Kimmel Jr HS Claysburg, PA 4.8
Universal Vare CS Philadelphia, PA 3.8
Conwell Russell MS Philadelphia, PA 4.9
Weatherly Area MS Weatherly, PA 3.4
Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about California Area MS

What grades does California Area MS serve?

California Area MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend California Area MS?

California Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 147 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at California Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at California Area MS is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does California Area MS rank in PA?

California Area MS is ranked #2559 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is California Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

California Area MS has a composite rating of 4.3 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 California Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, California Area MS has 25.8% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is California Area MS a charter school?

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

Is California Area MS a Title I school?

No, California Area MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for California Area MS?

98.0% of students at California Area 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

County Safety
Low (0/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

California Area SD
District Enrollment
933
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,211
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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