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Very Good

#748 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 26% in state

Jefferson MS

Middle School · Mt Lebanon SD

21 Moffett St, Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Enrollment

601

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pittsburgh

#37 of 148

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#113 of 514

In district

#2 of 10

Mt Lebanon SD

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson MS

Jefferson MS serves 601 middle school students in grades 6-8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranking #52 among Pennsylvania's 2,852 schools, Jefferson MS places in the 98th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 54 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, students demonstrate strong performance with 84% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 66% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence across all grade levels. Jefferson MS is situated on Moffett Street in the 15243 ZIP code area, a well-established community where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's median household income of $106,414 and median home value of $247,200 reflect a stable, education-focused environment with a low poverty rate of just 3.3%. The school operates within Pittsburgh's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both urban resources and suburban community benefits. Jefferson MS serves families in an academically supportive community that values educational achievement and provides students with strong foundations for high school success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.3%
Math vs. State Avg+28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,966

Jefferson MS — Students at Jefferson MS score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.8%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 86.6%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
93%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
89%
2024
Math
66.2%
ELA
84.4%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Jefferson MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in PA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

21 Moffett St, Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mellon MS (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Keystone Oaks MS (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fort Couch MS (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pittsburgh, see our Pittsburgh schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson El Sch Pittsburgh 0.1 mi 5.9
MOUNT LEBANON MONTESSORI Pittsburgh 0.1 mi 7.2
Hoover El Sch Pittsburgh 0.7 mi 5.0
Mt Lebanon SHS Pittsburgh 0.7 mi 6.7
Lincoln El Sch Pittsburgh 0.8 mi 5.7
Washington El Sch Pittsburgh 0.9 mi 6.9
Mellon MS Pittsburgh 0.9 mi 8.1
Markham El Sch Pittsburgh 1.1 mi 5.9
AVE MARIA ACADEMY-MT LEBANON CAMPUS Pittsburgh 1.0 mi 5.1
JUBILEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsburgh 1.0 mi
Dormont El Sch Pittsburgh 1.2 mi 9.1
Chartiers Valley Intrmd School Pittsburgh 1.4 mi 5.4
Carnegie El Sch Carnegie 1.7 mi 4.7
Fort Couch MS Pittsburgh 2.0 mi 7.9
Foster El Sch Pittsburgh 1.8 mi 6.0
Howe El Sch Pittsburgh 1.6 mi 5.0
KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER Mount Lebanon 2.1 mi
Keystone Oaks HS Pittsburgh 1.6 mi 7.0
Keystone Oaks MS Pittsburgh 1.7 mi 8.0
Eisenhower El Sch Pittsburgh 2.3 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,426

Median Home Value

$270,700

Median Rent

$1,356/mo

Population

13,682

College Educated

62.4%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

52.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson MS has a median household income of $111,426. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,700, with a median rent of $1,356/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% is relatively low. 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
Donald H Eichhorn MS Lewisburg, PA 7.4
Jersey Shore Area MS Jersey Shore, PA 7.4
North Strabane Intrmd Sch Canonsburg, PA 7.4
Pocono Mountain East JHS Swiftwater, PA 7.4
Warwick MS Lititz, PA 7.4
Derry Area MS Derry, PA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson MS

What grades does Jefferson MS serve?

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

How many students attend Jefferson MS?

Jefferson MS has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson MS is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson MS rank in PA?

Jefferson MS is ranked #748 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Jefferson MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson MS has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Jefferson MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson MS has 65.8% math proficiency and 86.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson MS a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson MS a Title I school?

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

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

18.1% of students at Jefferson 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,730/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allegheny County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mt Lebanon SD
District Enrollment
5,492
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,075
District Rank
#2 of 10

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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