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Average

#1408 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 49% 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

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,408 of 2,846

In Derry

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Derry Area SD

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Derry Area MS

6.4/10

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

Derry Area Shs

7.6/10

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

Grandview EL Sch

7.1/10

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

About Derry Area MS

Derry Area MS is a public middle school in Derry, PA, part of Derry Area SD. Derry Area MS serves approximately 421 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Derry Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,408 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Derry Area MS show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts above PA schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,331
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

Derry Area MS — Students at Derry Area MS score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 66.4% (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
81%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
33.8%
ELA
68%
2024
Math
41%
ELA
57.4%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Derry Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in PA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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

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. River Valley MS (rated 7.0/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Greater Latrobe JHS (rated 6.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Latrobe), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ligonier Valley MS (rated 4.5/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Ligonier), a more accessible option. 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 7.6
Grandview El Sch Derry 0.4 mi 7.1
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 6.8
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 7.5
Greater Latrobe JHS Latrobe 5.3 mi 6.2
Greater Latrobe SHS Latrobe 5.4 mi 7.3
Baggaley El Sch Latrobe 6.3 mi 6.6
Ligonier Valley HS Ligonier 7.0 mi 7.1
Mellon El Sch Ligonier 8.1 mi 7.3
Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier 8.1 mi 4.5
Metzgar El Sch New Alexandria 7.4 mi 7.1
OUTSIDE IN SCHOOL Bolivar 7.7 mi 7.8
Blairsville El Sch Blairsville 9.0 mi 6.6
River Valley HS Blairsville 9.0 mi 5.1
River Valley MS Blairsville 9.0 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Big Spring MS Newville, PA 6.4
Corry Area MS Corry, PA 6.4
Freedom Area MS Freedom, PA 6.4
North Brandywine MS Coatesville, PA 6.4
Northwestern Lehigh MS New Tripoli, PA 6.4
Riverside MS Ellwood City, PA 6.4

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 ranks #1,408 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Derry Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Derry Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Derry Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Derry Area MS has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

District

Derry Area SD
District Enrollment
1,784
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,331
District Rank
#3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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