Very Good
#674 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 24% in state
Derry Area MS
Middle School · Derry Area SD
994 North Chestnut St Ext, Derry, PA 15627
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Derry
#1 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#95 of 514
In district
#1 of 3
Derry Area SD
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Derry Area MS
Derry Area MS is a regular public middle school located in Derry, Pennsylvania, within Westmoreland County. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 421 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Situated in a large suburban area, Derry Area MS offers a supportive educational environment where students can grow academically and socially.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In terms of academic performance, 60% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) reading skills, while 38% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and improving educational outcomes.
Derry Area MS is set in a bustling suburban community that offers both urban amenities and a close-knit neighborhood feel.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Derry Area MS — Students at Derry Area MS score 50% proficient, which is above 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 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Derry Area MS Compares
See how Derry Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 41.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 57.8% (2024).
Location
994 North Chestnut St Ext, Derry, PA 15627
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Derry Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ligonier Valley MS (rated 6.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Ligonier), with a comparable rating. Another option is Greater Latrobe JHS (rated 6.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Latrobe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, River Valley MS (rated 6.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Derry, see our Derry schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Derry Area SHS Derry | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Grandview El Sch Derry | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| GRACE BIBLE ACADEMY Bradenville | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Latrobe | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Latrobe | 3.1 mi | — |
| Latrobe El Sch Latrobe | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER SCHOOL Latrobe | 4.0 mi | 5.2 |
| ADELPHOI EDUCATION PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION Latrobe | 4.0 mi | — |
| Dr Robert Ketterer CS Inc Latrobe | 4.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Greater Latrobe JHS Latrobe | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Greater Latrobe SHS Latrobe | 5.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Baggaley El Sch Latrobe | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ligonier Valley HS Ligonier | 7.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Mellon El Sch Ligonier | 8.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Metzgar El Sch New Alexandria | 7.4 mi | 8.3 |
| OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Bolivar | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Blairsville El Sch Blairsville | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
| River Valley HS Blairsville | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| River Valley MS Blairsville | 9.0 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15627 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,653
Median Home Value
$149,900
Median Rent
$815/mo
Population
5,956
College Educated
15.1%
Homeownership
79.6%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
49.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Derry Area MS has a median household income of $56,653. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,900, with a median rent of $815/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Camp Hill MS Camp Hill, PA | 7.5 |
| Fort LeBoeuf MS Waterford, PA | 7.5 |
| Landisville MS Landisville, PA | 7.5 |
| Perkiomen Valley MS-West Zieglerville, PA | 7.5 |
| Reynolds MS Lancaster, PA | 7.5 |
| Salisbury MS Allentown, PA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Derry Area MS
What grades does Derry Area MS serve?
Derry Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Derry Area MS?
Derry Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 421 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Derry Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Derry Area MS is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Derry Area MS rank in PA?
Derry Area MS is ranked #674 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Derry Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Derry Area MS has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Derry Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Derry Area MS has 38.5% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Derry Area MS a charter school?
No, Derry Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Derry Area MS a Title I school?
No, Derry Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Derry Area MS?
100.0% of students at Derry 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Derry). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 421
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Westmoreland County
- Phone
- (724) 694-8231
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Derry Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,784
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,331
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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