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Average

#1753 of 2,842 schools in PA

Middle Years Alternative

Middle School · Philadelphia City SD

4725 Fairmont Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19139

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#171 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#305 of 514

In district

#154 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Middle Years Alternative

Middle Years Alternative is a middle school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 155 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student's needs. The dedicated staff consists of 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students.

Academically, Middle Years Alternative has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2312 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (19th percentile). The school's academic score is 2.3/10, with 32% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 13% proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the staff focuses on student development and growth to help each learner achieve their potential.

Middle Years Alternative sits in a large city setting within Philadelphia, providing students with access to urban resources and diverse communities. The school is committed to fostering a supportive environment for its middle schoolers as they navigate this important stage of their education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 155 students, Middle Years Alternative is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Middle Years Alternative are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.8%
Math vs. State Avg-30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Middle Years Alternative — Students at Middle Years Alternative score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.5%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 32.4%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 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
19%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2024
Math
12.8%
ELA
32%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Middle Years Alternative Compares

See how Middle Years Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in PA
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

4725 Fairmont Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19139

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Middle Years Alternative may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Penn Alexander Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lea Henry C Sch (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkway West Philadelphia 0.0 mi 6.8
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 7.2
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 5.1
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.0
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 4.9
Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.4
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.8
West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.6
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.4
WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.6
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.9
The Workshop School Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.7
Lea Henry C Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.0
THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.4
Inquiry CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.5
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 4.2
BEULAH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.7
Discovery CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.2
Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.5
Penn Alexander Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,701

Median Home Value

$118,700

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

44,619

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

39.4%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

28.9%

Median Age

33

Community Profile

The community surrounding Middle Years Alternative has a median household income of $38,701. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,700, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Rommelt El Sch South Williamsport, PA 5.9
Millersburg Area Middle School Millersburg, PA 5.8
WEST FALLOWFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Atglen, PA 5.8
Clemente Roberto MS Philadelphia, PA 6.1
Mercer Area MS Mercer, PA 6.1
ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Marys, PA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Middle Years Alternative

What grades does Middle Years Alternative serve?

Middle Years Alternative serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Middle Years Alternative?

Middle Years Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Middle Years Alternative?

The student-teacher ratio at Middle Years Alternative is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Middle Years Alternative rank in PA?

Middle Years Alternative is ranked #1753 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Middle Years Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?

Middle Years Alternative has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle Years Alternative?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Middle Years Alternative has 12.5% math proficiency and 32.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Middle Years Alternative a charter school?

No, Middle Years Alternative is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Middle Years Alternative a Title I school?

No, Middle Years Alternative is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Middle Years Alternative?

100.0% of students at Middle Years Alternative 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
High (5,504/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#154 of 218

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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