Very Good
#985 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 35% in state
Independence MS
Middle School · Bethel Park Sd · Bethel Park, PA
A Bethel Park Sd middle school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.
2807 Bethel Church Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102
- Math 43% proficient (2022)
- Reading 78% proficient (2022)
- 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Independence MS score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 14 points since 2019, to 60% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 84% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
20.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Independence MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Pittsburgh map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 24Car-Dependent
- Transit 48Some Transit
- Bike 10Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Average690/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Bethel Park), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$106,851
Median home value
$260,700
Median rent
$1,220/mo
College educated
52.6%
Homeownership
79.1%
Poverty rate
4.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 15102; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 7.3private | K–12 | 0.6 mi | 188 | Compare → |
| Fort Couch MSEnrollment path unverified | 8.5 | 7–8 | 1.6 mi | 619 | Compare → |
| Mellon MSEnrollment path unverified | 8.5 | 6–8 | 2.8 mi | 631 | Compare → |
| Jefferson MSEnrollment path unverified | 8.5 | 6–8 | 3.2 mi | 601 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Bethel Park Sd
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #7 of 8
- District spending per student
- $21,252NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.5%Census SAIPE · 2024
Independence MS is listed in Bethel Park SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Independence MS
Independence MS is a public middle school in Bethel Park, PA, part of Bethel Park Sd, serving approximately 558 students in grades 7th-8th with a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #985 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 558
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.9%
- Phone
- (412) 854-8677
- Area population (ZIP 15102)
- 30,589
- Area average commute
- 27.6 min
- Area median age
- 48.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 15102; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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