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Very Good

#635 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 22% in state

Moon Area Upper MS

Middle School · Moon Area SD

8353 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108

Enrollment

611

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Moon Township

#5 of 7

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#84 of 514

In district

#5 of 8

Moon Area SD

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Moon Area Upper MS

Moon Area Upper MS serves 611 students in grades 7-8 in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, offering a focused middle school experience with a favorable 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio and 54 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #558 out of 2,852 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. Academically, students show strong performance in English Language Arts, with 71% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance presents opportunities for growth, with 50% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 7.5 out of 10 reflects consistent educational outcomes that serve students well during these critical middle school years. Moon Area Upper MS sits in an affluent suburban community where families value education highly.

The surrounding 15108 ZIP code area features a median household income of $89,619 and a median home value of $243,000, with 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.5%. This middle school operates within Moon Township's large suburban setting, providing students with the resources and community support that come from an educated, economically stable neighborhood environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.1%
Math vs. State Avg+16.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,398

Moon Area Upper MS — Students at Moon Area Upper MS score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 10 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
55%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
50.5%
ELA
71.2%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Moon Area Upper MS Compares

See how Moon Area Upper MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in PA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

8353 University Blvd., Moon Township, PA 15108

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Moon Area Upper MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Moon Area Lower MS (rated 8.4/10), which scores slightly higher. 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 Lower MS Moon Township 0.0 mi 8.4
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 Upper 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
North Pocono MS Moscow, PA 7.6
Penn MS Jeannette, PA 7.6
Pennridge North MS Perkasie, PA 7.6
Sinking Springs El Sch York, PA 7.6
Upper Perkiomen MS Pennsburg, PA 7.6
Derry Area MS Derry, PA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Moon Area Upper MS

What grades does Moon Area Upper MS serve?

Moon Area Upper MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Moon Area Upper MS?

Moon Area Upper MS has an enrollment of approximately 611 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Moon Area Upper MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Moon Area Upper MS is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Moon Area Upper MS rank in PA?

Moon Area Upper MS is ranked #635 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Moon Area Upper MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Moon Area Upper MS has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Upper MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Moon Area Upper MS has 48.3% math proficiency and 71.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Moon Area Upper MS a charter school?

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

Is Moon Area Upper MS a Title I school?

No, Moon Area Upper MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Moon Area Upper MS?

27.8% of students at Moon Area Upper 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

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (675/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
611
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allegheny County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Moon Area SD
District Enrollment
4,113
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,890
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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