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Needs Improvement

#2602 of 2,846 schools in PA

Charles a Huston MS

Middle School · Burrell SD

1020 Puckety Church Rd, Lower Burrell, PA 15068

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,602 of 2,846

In Lower Burrell

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Burrell SD

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Charles a Huston MS

3.7/10

Middle School in Lower Burrell · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Burrell HS

6.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bon Air EL Sch

6.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Charles a Huston MS

Charles a Huston MS is a public middle school in Lower Burrell, PA, part of Burrell SD. Charles a Huston MS serves approximately 403 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Charles a Huston MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,602 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Charles a Huston MS show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below PA schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-22.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,817
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

Charles a Huston MS — Students at Charles a Huston MS score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 61.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
20.3%
ELA
50.3%
2024
Math
25.2%
ELA
42.8%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Charles a Huston MS Compares

See how Charles a Huston MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1020 Puckety Church Rd, Lower Burrell, PA 15068

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charles a Huston MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Highlands MS (rated 5.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Natrona Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kiski Area IHS (rated 3.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Vandergrift), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lower Burrell, see our Lower Burrell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Burrell HS Lower Burrell 0.3 mi 6.0
Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell 0.4 mi 6.1
Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell 1.4 mi 5.0
Highlands SHS Natrona Heights 2.9 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights 3.1 mi 7.3
Martin Sch New Kensington 2.6 mi 2.3
Highlands MS Natrona Heights 3.0 mi 5.0
Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge 2.9 mi 4.8
MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington 2.7 mi 7.3
Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington 3.0 mi
Valley JSHS New Kensington 3.1 mi 4.1
Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold 3.2 mi 6.8
Highlands El Sch Tarentum 3.3 mi 4.3
Berkey Sch Arnold 3.3 mi 6.5
Springdale JSHS Springdale 4.9 mi 5.6
Kiski Area North Primary Sch Leechburg 5.2 mi 7.2
Kiski Area HS Vandergrift 5.2 mi 6.5
Kiski Area IHS Vandergrift 5.3 mi 3.2
Plum SHS Plum 6.2 mi 7.6
MERAKEY EDUCATION CENTER Leechburg 5.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,997

Median Home Value

$166,000

Median Rent

$749/mo

Population

36,068

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

72.5%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

46.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brownsville Area MS Brownsville, PA 3.7
Richard Allen Preparatory CS Philadelphia, PA 3.7
Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington, PA 3.7
Mount Pleasant Area JHS Mount Pleasant, PA 3.8
Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 3.8
Smith MS Quarryville, PA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charles a Huston MS

What grades does Charles a Huston MS serve?

Charles a Huston MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Charles a Huston MS?

Charles a Huston MS has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charles a Huston MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Charles a Huston MS is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charles a Huston MS rank in PA?

Charles a Huston MS ranks #2,602 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Charles a Huston MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Charles a Huston MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Charles a Huston MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Charles a Huston MS has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Charles a Huston MS a charter school?

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

Is Charles a Huston MS a Title I school?

No, Charles a Huston MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charles a Huston MS?

42.2% of students at Charles a Huston 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
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Westmoreland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

District

Burrell SD
District Enrollment
1,736
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,817
District Rank
#4 of 4

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