Skip to main content

Very Good

#985 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 35% in state

Independence MS

Middle School · Bethel Park SD

2807 Bethel Church Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102

Enrollment

558

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#985 of 2,846

In Bethel Park

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Bethel Park SD

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Independence MS?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Independence MS

7.1/10

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

Bethel Park HS

7.3/10

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

Hillcrest Christian Academy

7.3/10

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

About Independence MS

Independence MS is a public middle school in Bethel Park, PA, part of Bethel Park SD. Independence MS serves approximately 558 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #985 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Independence MS show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.1% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,252
Chronic Absenteeism5.9%

Independence MS — Students at Independence MS score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
88%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
65%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
43.1%
ELA
77.6%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Independence MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in PA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.9%

Location

2807 Bethel Church Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fort Couch MS (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Pittsburgh), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS (rated 8.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethel Park, see our Bethel Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethel Park HS Bethel Park 0.3 mi 7.3
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bethel Park 0.6 mi 7.3
AVE MARIA ACADEMY - BETHEL CAMPUS Pittsburgh 0.6 mi 5.8
Benjamin Franklin El Sch Bethel Park 1.1 mi 8.9
KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER Mount Lebanon 1.2 mi
Bethel Memorial El Sch Bethel Park 1.2 mi 6.5
WESTMINSTER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Pittsburgh 1.2 mi
Eisenhower El Sch Pittsburgh 1.3 mi 8.8
Foster El Sch Pittsburgh 1.7 mi 8.8
Fort Couch MS Pittsburgh 1.6 mi 8.5
Upper Saint Clair HS Pittsburgh 1.5 mi 9.6
Abraham Lincoln El Sch Pittsburgh 1.7 mi 8.4
Markham El Sch Pittsburgh 2.1 mi 9.0
George Washington El Sch Bethel Park 2.1 mi 8.5
Myrtle Ave Sch Pittsburgh 2.3 mi 7.7
ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC SCHOOL Pittsburgh 2.2 mi 3.9
Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS Bethel Park 2.5 mi 8.4
Mt Lebanon SHS Pittsburgh 2.6 mi 8.7
Howe El Sch Pittsburgh 2.6 mi 8.3
William Penn El Sch Bethel Park 2.7 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,851

Median Home Value

$260,700

Median Rent

$1,220/mo

Population

30,589

College Educated

52.6%

Homeownership

79.1%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

48.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cecil Intrmd Sch Mc Donald, PA 7.1
Loyalsock Twp MS Williamsport, PA 7.1
Science Leadership Academy MS Philadelphia, PA 7.1
South Eastern Intrmd Sch Fawn Grove, PA 7.1
DeFranco El Sch Bangor, PA 7.0
Fairview MS Fairview, PA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence MS

What grades does Independence MS serve?

Independence MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Independence MS?

Independence MS has an enrollment of approximately 558 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence MS is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence MS rank in PA?

Independence MS ranks #985 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Independence MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Independence MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence MS has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Independence MS a charter school?

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

Is Independence MS a Title I school?

No, Independence MS is not currently a Title I school.

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

20.6% of students at Independence 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allegheny County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.9%

District

Bethel Park SD
District Enrollment
4,021
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,252
District Rank
#7 of 8

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.