Excellent
#250 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 9% in state
Moon Area Lower MS
Middle School · Moon Area SD
8353 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.4
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.4
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Moon Township
#4 of 7
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#15 of 514
In district
#4 of 8
Moon Area SD
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Moon Area Lower MS
Moon Area Lower MS is a public middle school in Moon Township, PA, part of the Moon Area SD. The school serves approximately 609 students in grades 5th – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.2th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 60% proficiency in math, 19 points above the state average and 76% in reading/language arts, 23 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $94,703, where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Moon Area Lower MS — Students at Moon Area Lower MS score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Moon Area Lower MS Compares
See how Moon Area Lower MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 63.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 78% (2019) to 77.6% (2024).
Location
8353 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Moon Area Lower MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Moon Area Upper MS (rated 7.6/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Quaker Valley MS (rated 6.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Sewickley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Moon Township, see our Moon Township schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Moon Area Upper MS Moon Township | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Moon Area SHS Moon Township | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| J.A. Allard El Sch Moon Township | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Richard J. Hyde El Sch Moon Township | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bon Meade El Sch Moon Township | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEARNING Moon Township | 2.6 mi | — |
| ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sewickley | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| SEWICKLEY ACADEMY Sewickley | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| J H Brooks El Sch Moon Township | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| NOAH'S ARK PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN Sewickley | 2.5 mi | — |
| RHEMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coraopolis | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Quaker Valley MS Sewickley | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Edgeworth El Sch Sewickley | 2.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Quaker Valley HS Leetsdale | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Osborne El Sch Sewickley | 2.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Cornell El Sch Coraopolis | 2.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Cornell HS Coraopolis | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| McCormick El Sch Moon Township | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| WATSON INSTITUTE Sewickley | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Coraopolis | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,703
Median Home Value
$255,200
Median Rent
$1,161/mo
Population
42,782
College Educated
47.1%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Moon Area Lower MS has a median household income of $94,703. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $255,200, with a median rent of $1,161/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Wattsburg Area MS Erie, PA | 8.4 |
| Cocalico MS Denver, PA | 8.3 |
| Mount Nittany MS State College, PA | 8.3 |
| Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS Bethel Park, PA | 8.5 |
| South Eastern Intrmd Sch Fawn Grove, PA | 8.3 |
| Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Moon Area Lower MS
What grades does Moon Area Lower MS serve?
Moon Area Lower MS serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Moon Area Lower MS?
Moon Area Lower MS has an enrollment of approximately 609 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Moon Area Lower MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Moon Area Lower MS is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Moon Area Lower MS rank in PA?
Moon Area Lower MS is ranked #250 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Moon Area Lower MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Moon Area Lower MS has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Moon Area Lower MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Moon Area Lower MS has 59.7% math proficiency and 76.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Moon Area Lower MS a charter school?
No, Moon Area Lower MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Moon Area Lower MS a Title I school?
No, Moon Area Lower MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Moon Area Lower MS?
26.1% of students at Moon Area Lower 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Moon Township). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 609
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (412) 264-9440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Moon Area SD- District Enrollment
- 4,113
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,890
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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