Needs Improvement
#2556 of 2,846 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
3.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,556 of 2,846
In Philadelphia
#212 of 300
public schools
In district
#159 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
School environment
7.4 / 10
Very Good
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Middle Years Alternative
Middle School in Philadelphia · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Parkway West
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Locke Alain Sch
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Middle Years Alternative
Middle Years Alternative is a public middle school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Middle Years Alternative serves approximately 155 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Middle Years Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,556 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Middle Years Alternative show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
At 155 students, Middle Years Alternative is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Middle Years Alternative — Students at Middle Years Alternative score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.0/10.
How Middle Years Alternative Compares
See how Middle Years Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.1/10, 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, WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 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 | 4.6 |
| Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 3.2 |
| QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 2.0 |
| The Workshop School Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Lea Henry C Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Inquiry CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Belmont CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| BEULAH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Discovery CS Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 2.9 |
| Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Penn Alexander Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia, PA | 3.8 |
| Pittsburgh Sterrett 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA | 4.0 |
| Rommelt El Sch South Williamsport, PA | 3.8 |
| Washington Junior High School Washington, PA | 4.0 |
| AMY NW Philadelphia, PA | 4.1 |
| Conwell Russell MS Philadelphia, PA | 3.7 |
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 ranks #2,556 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Middle Years Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?
Middle Years Alternative has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Middle Years Alternative?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Middle Years Alternative has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.8%
- Phone
- (215) 400-7720
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #159 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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