Average
#1689 of 2,846 schools in PA
James Buchanan MS
Middle School · Tuscarora Sd · Mercersburg, PA
A Tuscarora Sd middle school where students score 7 points above what's typical for similar communities.
5191 Fort Loudon Rd, Mercersburg, PA 17236
- Math 29% vs PA 36% (2024)
- Reading 52% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at James Buchanan MS score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 7 points since 2020, reaching 41% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 40% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 62% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
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 James Buchanan MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 12Car-Dependent
- Bike 30Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$81,074
Median home value
$250,100
Median rent
$986/mo
College educated
21.5%
Homeownership
79.8%
Poverty rate
8.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 17236; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Tuscarora Sd
- Schools in district
- 6
- Rank in district
- #5 of 6
- District spending per student
- $16,360NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 9.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
James Buchanan MS is listed in Tuscarora SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About James Buchanan MS
James Buchanan MS is a public middle school in Mercersburg, PA, part of Tuscarora Sd, serving approximately 554 students in grades 6th-8th with a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,689 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about James Buchanan MS
What grades does James Buchanan MS serve?
James Buchanan MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend James Buchanan MS?
James Buchanan MS has an enrollment of approximately 554 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan MS?
The student-teacher ratio at James Buchanan MS is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Buchanan MS rank in PA?
James Buchanan MS ranks #1,689 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is James Buchanan MS's MySchoolScout rating?
James Buchanan MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 James Buchanan MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Buchanan MS has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James Buchanan MS a charter school?
No, James Buchanan MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Buchanan MS a Title I school?
No, James Buchanan MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Buchanan MS?
100.0% of students at James Buchanan 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 554
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Franklin County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.3%
- Phone
- (717) 328-5221
- Area population (ZIP 17236)
- 8,875
- Area average commute
- 31.7 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
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 · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- 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 17236; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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