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Very Good

#805 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 28% in state

James W Parker MS

Middle School · General McLane SD

11781 Edinboro Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412

Enrollment

639

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Edinboro

#2 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#125 of 514

In district

#2 of 4

General McLane SD

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About James W Parker MS

James W Parker MS serves 639 students in grades 5 through 8 in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. This middle school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 73rd percentile among Pennsylvania middle schools at #779 out of 2,852 schools statewide.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 68% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. In mathematics, 55% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, indicating steady academic progress with continued room for growth. The school draws from a diverse community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $65,605.

With median home values at $221,200 and a poverty rate of 16.1%, the surrounding area reflects a mix of economic circumstances that enriches the school's learning environment. Located in rural Erie County near the town of Edinboro, James W Parker MS benefits from a peaceful setting that combines small-town community values with access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, James W Parker MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.4%
Math vs. State Avg+14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,333

James W Parker MS — Students at James W Parker MS score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 68.3%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
53%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
64%
2024
Math
58.1%
ELA
69.2%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How James W Parker MS Compares

See how James W Parker MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in PA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

11781 Edinboro Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James W Parker MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fort LeBoeuf MS (rated 7.5/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Waterford), with a very similar rating. Another option is Walnut Creek MS (rated 6.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Fairview), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NEW HORIZON AMISH SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Cambridge Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Edinboro, see our Edinboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
General McLane HS Edinboro 0.2 mi 6.9
Edinboro El Sch Edinboro 2.7 mi 7.3
McKean El Sch Mc Kean 5.8 mi 6.1
NEW HORIZON AMISH SCHOOL Cambridge Springs 6.4 mi 4.3
Erie County Technical School Erie 8.0 mi
Cambridge Springs JSHS Cambridge Springs 8.5 mi 5.9
Cambridge Springs El Sch Cambridge Springs 8.5 mi 8.9
ERIE FIRST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Erie 9.1 mi 7.2
Fort LeBoeuf SHS Waterford 7.2 mi 7.2
LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairview 9.2 mi 5.4
Walnut Creek MS Fairview 9.3 mi 6.6
Asbury El Sch Fairview 9.3 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI IN THE WOODS Erie 9.0 mi
Fort LeBoeuf MS Waterford 7.3 mi 7.5
Waterford El Sch Waterford 7.4 mi 7.7
Robison El Sch Erie 9.4 mi 8.5
COMMUNITY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Erie 10.0 mi 6.9
Grandview El Sch Erie 10.8 mi 7.3
FRENCH CREEK MENNONITE SCHOOL Cambridge Springs 9.8 mi 3.2
SOUTH HILLS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC Erie 10.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,659

Median Home Value

$221,900

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

9,726

College Educated

49.5%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding James W Parker MS has a median household income of $67,659. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,900, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Big Spring MS Newville, PA 7.3
Grove City Area MS Grove City, PA 7.3
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra, PA 7.3
Shaler Area El Sch Glenshaw, PA 7.3
Unami MS Chalfont, PA 7.3
Dingman-Delaware MS Dingmans Ferry, PA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James W Parker MS

What grades does James W Parker MS serve?

James W Parker MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend James W Parker MS?

James W Parker MS has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James W Parker MS?

The student-teacher ratio at James W Parker MS is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James W Parker MS rank in PA?

James W Parker MS is ranked #805 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is James W Parker MS's MySchoolScout rating?

James W Parker MS has a composite rating of 7.3 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 James W Parker MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James W Parker MS has 55.2% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James W Parker MS a charter school?

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

Is James W Parker MS a Title I school?

No, James W Parker MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James W Parker MS?

40.2% of students at James W Parker 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (890/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Edinboro). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Erie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

General McLane SD
District Enrollment
2,055
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,018
District Rank
#2 of 4

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 methodology

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