Average
#1059 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 37% in state
Dickson Prep Steam Academy
Middle School · Woodland Hills SD
7301 Schoyer Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania middle schools
#178 of 514
In district
#3 of 5
Woodland Hills SD
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Dickson Prep Steam Academy
Dickson Prep STEAM Academy is a middle school located in the Swissvale area of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 616 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. Dickson Prep STEAM Academy focuses on offering a STEM education, emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
While the MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.5 out of 10, ranking it in the 32nd percentile among Pennsylvania schools, there are opportunities for growth and development. The academic performance scores indicate areas where the school can improve: only 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and a mere 9% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Dickson Prep STEAM Academy offers a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who aim to nurture each student’s potential.
The large suburban setting provides ample resources for extracurricular activities and community engagement, making it an integral part of the Swissvale neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dickson Prep Steam Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dickson Prep Steam Academy — Students at Dickson Prep Steam Academy score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 9.0/10.
How Dickson Prep Steam Academy Compares
See how Dickson Prep Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 8% (2021) to 9.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2021) to 28.8% (2024).
Location
7301 Schoyer Avenue, Swissvale, PA 15218
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dickson Prep Steam Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. UNIVERSAL ACADEMY OF PITTSBURGH (rated 9.2/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Pittsburgh), which scores notably higher. Another option is WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Pittsburgh), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YESHIVA SCHOOLS (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Pittsburgh), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swissvale, see our Swissvale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental CS at Frick Park Pittsburgh | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| UNIVERSAL ACADEMY OF PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh | 0.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Edgewood El STEAM Academy Pittsburgh | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Pittsburgh | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Kelly Primary Sch Wilkinsburg | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| SISTER THEA BOWMAN CATHOLIC ACADEMY Wilkinsburg | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| PLEA SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PITTSBURGH URBAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| SHADY SIDE ACADEMY JUNIOR SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Barrett El Sch Homestead | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Propel CS-Homestead Pittsburgh | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Pittsburgh Sterrett 6-8 Pittsburgh | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Pittsburgh Allderdice HS Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PITTSBURGH NEW CHURCH SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.8 mi | — |
| YESHIVA SCHOOLS Pittsburgh | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| ST BEDE SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Pittsburgh Faison K-5 Pittsburgh | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Pittsburgh Linden K-5 Pittsburgh | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,723
Median Home Value
$203,200
Median Rent
$1,114/mo
Population
13,443
College Educated
52.1%
Homeownership
55.7%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dickson Prep Steam Academy has a median household income of $67,723. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,200, with a median rent of $1,114/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Elkins Park Sch Elkins Park, PA | 6.9 |
| Log College MS Warminster, PA | 6.9 |
| Nazareth Area MS Nazareth, PA | 6.9 |
| Robert K Shafer MS Bensalem, PA | 6.9 |
| Swiftwater Interm Sch Swiftwater, PA | 6.9 |
| Arcola Intrmd Sch Eagleville, PA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dickson Prep Steam Academy
What grades does Dickson Prep Steam Academy serve?
Dickson Prep Steam Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dickson Prep Steam Academy?
Dickson Prep Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 616 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dickson Prep Steam Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Dickson Prep Steam Academy is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dickson Prep Steam Academy rank in PA?
Dickson Prep Steam Academy is ranked #1059 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Dickson Prep Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Dickson Prep Steam Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Dickson Prep Steam Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dickson Prep Steam Academy has 8.8% math proficiency and 28.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dickson Prep Steam Academy a charter school?
No, Dickson Prep Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dickson Prep Steam Academy a Title I school?
No, Dickson Prep Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dickson Prep Steam Academy?
75.5% of students at Dickson Prep Steam Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (2,272/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Swissvale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 616
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (412) 731-5816
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Woodland Hills SD- District Enrollment
- 3,191
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,824
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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