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Average

#1698 of 2,842 schools in PA

Knoch MS

Middle School · Knoch SD

754 Dinnerbell Rd, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Enrollment

483

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saxonburg

#4 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#294 of 514

In district

#4 of 4

Knoch SD

About Knoch MS

Knoch MS is a regular public middle school in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 483 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. Knoch MS has 36 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting their students' educational needs.

The academic performance at Knoch MS is rated at 4.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 1826th out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it around the 36th percentile for state rankings. In terms of subject proficiency rates, 62% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 33% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where additional support and resources may be beneficial. Knoch MS is situated in a rural area near the town of Saxonburg, offering a peaceful environment for learning.

This setting provides a unique backdrop that fosters community engagement and supports students' overall development beyond just academics.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Knoch 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 Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,769

Knoch MS — Students at Knoch MS score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.9%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 62.4%
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
38%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
63%
2024
Math
33.7%
ELA
60.6%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Knoch MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in PA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

754 Dinnerbell Rd, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Knoch MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Freeport Area MS (rated 7.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deer Lakes MS (rated 7.1/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Cheswick), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saxonburg, see our Saxonburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Knoch Intermediate El Sch Saxonburg 0.0 mi 8.9
Knoch Primary Sch Saxonburg 0.2 mi 7.6
Knoch HS Saxonburg 0.2 mi 6.4
ST LUKE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cabot 2.1 mi 6.3
HIS KIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 3.9 mi 6.8
Buffalo El Sch Freeport 4.2 mi 3.6
SUMMIT ACADEMY Herman 5.7 mi 9.0
Summit Township El Sch Butler 6.4 mi 5.3
HOLY SEPULCHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 5.3 mi 6.6
Curtisville Pri Ctr Tarentum 7.2 mi 6.4
McQuistion El Sch Butler 7.3 mi 7.5
PENN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Butler 6.2 mi 6.5
Freeport Area MS Freeport 6.4 mi 7.2
Freeport Area SHS Freeport 6.5 mi 7.5
Deer Lakes MS Cheswick 8.7 mi 7.1
BUTLER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Butler 8.5 mi 5.7
ADELPHOI EDUCATION AT BUTLER Butler 8.6 mi
East Union Intrmd Sch Cheswick 8.9 mi 5.7
Deer Lakes HS Cheswick 8.9 mi 5.5
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Butler 8.7 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,527

Median Home Value

$269,600

Median Rent

$886/mo

Population

4,429

College Educated

30.3%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Knoch MS has a median household income of $73,527. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $269,600, with a median rent of $886/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA 6.0
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata, PA 6.0
Garden Spot MS New Holland, PA 6.0
Holiday Park Intermediate Sch Pittsburgh, PA 6.0
West Hempfield MS Irwin, PA 6.0
West York Area MS York, PA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Knoch MS

What grades does Knoch MS serve?

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

How many students attend Knoch MS?

Knoch MS has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Knoch MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Knoch MS is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Knoch MS rank in PA?

Knoch MS is ranked #1698 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Knoch MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Knoch MS has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Knoch MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Knoch MS has 32.9% math proficiency and 62.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Knoch MS a charter school?

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

Is Knoch MS a Title I school?

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

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

36.4% of students at Knoch 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

City Safety
Low (146/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Knoch SD
District Enrollment
2,052
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,504
District Rank
#4 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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