Needs Improvement
#2585 of 2,846 schools in PA
Central MS
Middle School · Reading SD
215 North 12th St, Reading, PA 19604
Enrollment
1,708
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
1,708
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,585 of 2,846
In Reading
#16 of 31
public schools
In district
#7 of 19
Reading SD
Shortlisting around Central MS?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Central MS
Middle School in Reading · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thirteenth & Green EL Sch
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Story
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central MS
Central MS is a public middle school in Reading, PA, part of Reading SD. Central MS serves approximately 1,708 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,585 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Central MS show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.2
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Central MS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
37% of students at Central MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central MS — Students at Central MS score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 6.3/10.
How Central MS Compares
See how Central MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
215 North 12th St, Reading, PA 19604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southwest MS (rated 5.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northeast MS (rated 2.7/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Southern MS (rated 2.0/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Southern MS Reading | 0.5 mi | 2.0 |
| Reading SHS Reading | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading | 0.6 mi | 2.0 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Sixteenth & Haak El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Northeast MS Reading | 1.1 mi | 2.7 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Southwest MS Reading | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 2.1 |
| Thirteenth & Union El Sch Reading | 1.5 mi | 2.6 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Antietam MS/HS Reading | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Mt Penn El Sch Mount Penn | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| ST CATHARINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Reading | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,863
Median Home Value
$110,800
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Population
29,408
College Educated
10.2%
Homeownership
49.3%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
29.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Northampton Area MS Northampton, PA | 3.9 |
| Lebanon MS Lebanon, PA | 3.6 |
| Dallastown Area MS Dallastown, PA | 4.0 |
| Maple Point MS Langhorne, PA | 4.2 |
| Castor Gardens MS Philadelphia, PA | 3.3 |
| G A R MS Wilkes-Barre, PA | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central MS
What grades does Central MS serve?
Central MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Central MS?
Central MS has an enrollment of approximately 1,708 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Central MS is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central MS rank in PA?
Central MS ranks #2,585 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Central MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Central MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Central MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central MS has 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).
Is Central MS a charter school?
No, Central MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central MS a Title I school?
No, Central MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central MS?
100.0% of students at Central 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,708
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 111
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berks County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.3%
- Phone
- (484) 258-7365
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #7 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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