Average
#1992 of 2,842 schools in PA
Fairfield Area MS
Middle School · Fairfield Area SD
4840 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairfield
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#361 of 514
In district
#3 of 3
Fairfield Area SD
About Fairfield Area MS
Fairfield Area MS is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Fairfield, Pennsylvania. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 284 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 26th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with an academic score of 3.9/10.
Academically, Fairfield Area MS shows that 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 31% reach proficiency or higher in math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to support ongoing growth. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere, with opportunities for students to connect with their surroundings through local activities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fairfield Area MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Fairfield Area MS — Students at Fairfield Area MS score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 5.8/10.
How Fairfield Area MS Compares
See how Fairfield Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 31.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 47.5% (2024).
Location
4840 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fairfield Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Upper Adams Intrmdt Sch (rated 8.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Arendtsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gettysburg Area MS (rated 4.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Gettysburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Thurmont Middle (rated 3.6/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Thurmont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Area HS Fairfield | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Fairfield Area El Sch Fairfield | 0.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Emmitsburg Elementary Emmitsburg | 6.0 mi | 8.9 |
| MOTHER SETON SCHOOL Emmitsburg | 6.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Franklin Twp El Sch Cashtown | 6.9 mi | 5.0 |
| WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN FAMILY SCHOOL Sabillasville | 7.2 mi | 2.5 |
| Sabillasville Environmental School Sabillasville | 8.2 mi | 3.2 |
| ABRAXAS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM South Mountain | 7.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Cascade Elementary Cascade | 7.7 mi | 3.5 |
| South Mountain Secure Trmnt Un South Mountain | 7.7 mi | — |
| ABRAXAS YOUTH CENTER South Mountain | 7.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Catoctin High Thurmont | 10.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Lincoln El Sch Gettysburg | 8.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg | 8.4 mi | 4.2 |
| James Gettys El Sch Gettysburg | 8.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Vida CS Gettysburg | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| GETTYSBURG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Gettysburg | 9.4 mi | — |
| Upper Adams Intrmdt Sch Arendtsville | 10.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Thurmont Middle Thurmont | 11.2 mi | 3.6 |
| ADAMS COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gettysburg | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,321
Median Home Value
$283,000
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
8,103
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
88.4%
Avg Commute
35.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
45.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairfield Area MS has a median household income of $87,321. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,000, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carmichaels Area MS Carmichaels, PA | 5.5 |
| Swift MS Quarryville, PA | 5.5 |
| AMY at Martin Philadelphia, PA | 5.6 |
| Berlin Brothersvalley MS Berlin, PA | 5.4 |
| Blue Ridge MS New Milford, PA | 5.4 |
| Freedom Area MS Freedom, PA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairfield Area MS
What grades does Fairfield Area MS serve?
Fairfield Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Fairfield Area MS?
Fairfield Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Area MS is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fairfield Area MS rank in PA?
Fairfield Area MS is ranked #1992 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Fairfield Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairfield Area MS has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Fairfield Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield Area MS has 31.3% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fairfield Area MS a charter school?
No, Fairfield Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fairfield Area MS a Title I school?
No, Fairfield Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairfield Area MS?
30.3% of students at Fairfield 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 284
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Adams County
- Phone
- (717) 642-8228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfield Area SD- District Enrollment
- 940
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,642
- District Rank
- #3 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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