Average
#1354 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 48% in state
Laurel MS
Middle School · Laurel Sd · New Castle, PA
A Laurel Sd middle school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.
2497 Harlansburg RD, New Castle, PA 16101
- Math 42% vs PA 35% (2024)
- Reading 66% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Laurel MS score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 54% across the 7-year record (2018–2024).
Show all 6 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 38% (multi-year average, 2018-2024) · reading/ELA 65% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 16 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
36.2%
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 Laurel MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Pittsburgh map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 14Car-Dependent
- Bike 29Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated1,139/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (New Castle), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$50,481
Median home value
$109,600
Median rent
$706/mo
College educated
18.1%
Homeownership
68.9%
Poverty rate
17%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 16101; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
1 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle JhsEnrollment path unverified | 3.1 | 6–8 | 4.2 mi | 681 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Laurel Sd
- Schools in district
- 3
- Rank in district
- #3 of 3
- District spending per student
- $17,984NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 6.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Laurel MS is listed in Laurel SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Laurel MS
Laurel MS is a public middle school in New Castle, PA, part of Laurel Sd, serving approximately 163 students in grades 7th-8th with a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,354 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Laurel MS
What grades does Laurel MS serve?
Laurel MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Laurel MS?
Laurel MS has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Laurel MS is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Laurel MS rank in PA?
Laurel MS ranks #1,354 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Laurel MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Laurel MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel MS has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Is Laurel MS a charter school?
No, Laurel MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Laurel MS a Title I school?
No, Laurel MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel MS?
36.2% of students at Laurel 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 163
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lawrence County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.1%
- Phone
- (724) 658-9056
- Area population (ZIP 16101)
- 30,960
- Area average commute
- 21.6 min
- Area median age
- 43.8
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 16101; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2018-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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