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Below Average

#2322 of 2,846 schools in PA

Jackson MS

Middle School · Lancaster SD

431 S Ann St, Lancaster, PA 17602

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,322 of 2,846

In Lancaster

#34 of 37

public schools

In district

#17 of 19

Lancaster SD

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Jackson MS

4.5/10

Middle School in Lancaster · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Washington EL Sch

5.4/10

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

Phoenix Academy

3.8/10

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

About Jackson MS

Jackson MS is a public middle school in Lancaster, PA, part of Lancaster SD. Jackson MS serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Jackson MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,322 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Jackson MS show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

At 9.5:1 students to teachers, Jackson MS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

32% of students at Jackson MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.7 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-22.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,604
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

Jackson MS — Students at Jackson MS score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 25.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 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
44%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
35%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
9%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
4.1%
ELA
15.4%
2024
Math
7%
ELA
21.4%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Jackson MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
18th percentile in PA
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

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

431 S Ann St, Lancaster, PA 17602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jackson MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WAY OF JESUS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Schaeffer Sch (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington El Sch Lancaster 0.1 mi 5.4
Phoenix Academy Lancaster 0.2 mi 3.8
King El Sch Lancaster 0.4 mi 5.4
La Academia Partnership CS Lancaster 0.5 mi 4.2
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lancaster 0.6 mi 8.6
WONDER ACADEMY Lancaster 0.7 mi
Carter and MacRae El Sch Lancaster 0.7 mi 5.4
Burrowes El Sch Lancaster 0.8 mi 6.2
Wickersham El Sch Lancaster 1.0 mi 5.8
McCaskey Campus Lancaster 1.1 mi 7.2
Lincoln MS Lancaster 1.1 mi 5.0
WAY OF JESUS ACADEMY Lancaster 1.0 mi 7.9
Price El Sch Lancaster 1.0 mi 5.3
Fulton El Sch Lancaster 1.0 mi 5.7
Ross El Sch Lancaster 1.5 mi 7.3
LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster 1.7 mi 6.7
Lafayette El Sch Lancaster 1.4 mi 5.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Lancaster 1.4 mi 7.2
Schaeffer Sch Lancaster 1.8 mi 7.7
Hamilton El Sch Lancaster 1.5 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,752

Median Home Value

$250,600

Median Rent

$1,272/mo

Population

51,461

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

57.5%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA 4.5
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA 4.5
Feltonville Sch of Arts & Sciences Philadelphia, PA 4.5
Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier, PA 4.5
Line Mountain MS Herndon, PA 4.5
North Hills El Sch York, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jackson MS

What grades does Jackson MS serve?

Jackson MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Jackson MS?

Jackson MS has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jackson MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Jackson MS is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jackson MS rank in PA?

Jackson MS ranks #2,322 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Jackson MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Jackson MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Jackson MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jackson MS has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Jackson MS a charter school?

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

Is Jackson MS a Title I school?

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

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

91.5% of students at Jackson 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
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

Lancaster SD
District Enrollment
10,015
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,604
District Rank
#17 of 19

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