Average
#2165 of 2,842 schools in PA
Independence MS
Middle School · Bethel Park SD
2807 Bethel Church Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bethel Park
#5 of 7
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#395 of 514
In district
#6 of 8
Bethel Park SD
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Independence MS
Independence MS is a middle school located in the large suburban area of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 558 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1. With 52 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Independence MS provides individualized attention that helps foster academic growth and personal development.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Independence MS scores a 5.4 out of 10 overall, with its state ranking at #1494 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (placing it around the 48th percentile). The school’s academic score is 6.7/10, indicating there's room for improvement but also highlighting areas where students are excelling, such as 80% proficiency or above in ELA and reading. Located in a bustling suburban area, Independence MS benefits from its community environment that supports both educational endeavors and social interactions among students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Independence MS — Students at Independence MS score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 1.4/10.
How Independence MS Compares
See how Independence MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 74% (2021).
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. Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS (rated 8.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort Couch MS (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Pittsburgh), 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 | 4.5 |
| 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 | 8.4 |
| KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER Mount Lebanon | 1.2 mi | — |
| Bethel Memorial El Sch Bethel Park | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| WESTMINSTER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Pittsburgh | 1.2 mi | — |
| Eisenhower El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Foster El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Fort Couch MS Pittsburgh | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Upper Saint Clair HS Pittsburgh | 1.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Abraham Lincoln El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Markham El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| George Washington El Sch Bethel Park | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Myrtle Ave Sch Pittsburgh | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS Bethel Park | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Mt Lebanon SHS Pittsburgh | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Howe El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| William Penn El Sch Bethel Park | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence MS has a median household income of $106,851. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,700, with a median rent of $1,220/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA | 5.2 |
| Eastern York MS Wrightsville, PA | 5.2 |
| Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA | 5.2 |
| Greensburg-Salem MS Greensburg, PA | 5.2 |
| Pine-Richland MS Gibsonia, PA | 5.2 |
| Swatara MS Steelton, PA | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #2165 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Independence MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence MS has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Independence MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence MS has 51.0% math proficiency and 79.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (690/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bethel Park). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (412) 854-8677
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel Park SD- District Enrollment
- 4,021
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,252
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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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