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Below Average

#2197 of 2,846 schools in PA

Garden Spot MS

Middle School · Eastern Lancaster County SD

669 E Main St # 609, New Holland, PA 17557

Enrollment

392

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,197 of 2,846

In New Holland

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Eastern Lancaster County SD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Garden Spot MS

4.8/10

Middle School in New Holland · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Garden Spot Shs

7.5/10

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

New Holland Elementary

6.4/10

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

About Garden Spot MS

Garden Spot MS is a public middle school in New Holland, PA, part of Eastern Lancaster County SD. Garden Spot MS serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Garden Spot MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,197 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Garden Spot MS show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.8% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,634
Chronic Absenteeism15.6%

Garden Spot MS — Students at Garden Spot MS score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 62.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 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
80%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
49.5%
2024
Math
37.9%
ELA
43.6%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Garden Spot MS Compares

See how Garden Spot MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
23th percentile in PA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

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

669 E Main St # 609, New Holland, PA 17557

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garden Spot MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pequea Valley Intrmd Sch (rated 5.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Kinzers), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LINDEN GROVE SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BRIDGEVILLE SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby East Earl), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Holland, see our New Holland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Garden Spot SHS New Holland 0.0 mi 7.5
New Holland Elementary New Holland 1.9 mi 6.4
EAST EARL AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL East Earl 1.5 mi 2.9
Blue Ball El Sch East Earl 1.8 mi 6.1
MEADOW CREEK PAROCHIAL SCHOOL New Holland 2.5 mi
WEAVERLAND SCHOOL East Earl 2.5 mi
HINKLETOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata 3.1 mi 6.6
LINDEN GROVE SCHOOL New Holland 2.8 mi 4.3
ZELTENRIECH SCHOOL Gordonville 3.3 mi
TERRE HILL MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL Terre Hill 3.4 mi 5.7
SHALOM MENNONITE SCHOOL Terre Hill 3.5 mi 7.7
GROFFDALE SCHOOL New Holland 3.2 mi 3.7
UNION GROVE MENNONITE SCHOOL East Earl 3.8 mi 6.1
BRIDGEVILLE SCHOOL East Earl 3.9 mi 3.8
FARMERSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata 4.7 mi 6.0
Pequea Valley Intrmd Sch Kinzers 6.1 mi 5.5
SMILING RIDGE SCHOOL Kinzers 6.0 mi
Pequea Valley HS Kinzers 6.3 mi 7.9
Brecknock El Sch Denver 6.1 mi 6.2
WOOD CREST PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Ephrata 5.8 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17557 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,717

Median Home Value

$262,100

Median Rent

$1,273/mo

Population

15,229

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

37

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fairfield Area MS Fairfield, PA 4.8
Pennridge South MS Perkasie, PA 4.8
Pittsburgh Classical 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 4.8
Curtin Intrmd Sch Williamsport, PA 4.7
Knoch MS Saxonburg, PA 4.7
Northwestern MS Albion, PA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garden Spot MS

What grades does Garden Spot MS serve?

Garden Spot MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Garden Spot MS?

Garden Spot MS has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Garden Spot MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Garden Spot MS is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garden Spot MS rank in PA?

Garden Spot MS ranks #2,197 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Garden Spot MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Garden Spot MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Garden Spot MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Garden Spot MS has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Garden Spot MS a charter school?

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

Is Garden Spot MS a Title I school?

No, Garden Spot MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garden Spot MS?

44.4% of students at Garden Spot 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

District

Eastern Lancaster County SD
District Enrollment
2,678
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,634
District Rank
#5 of 5

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