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Needs Improvement

#2735 of 2,846 schools in PA

New Castle Jhs

Middle School · New Castle Area SD

310 E Lincoln Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Enrollment

681

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

3.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,735 of 2,846

In New Castle

#17 of 18

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

New Castle Area SD

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New Castle Jhs

3.1/10

Middle School in New Castle · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Castle Shs

5.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center

5.7/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About New Castle Jhs

New Castle Jhs is a public middle school in New Castle, PA, part of New Castle Area SD. New Castle Jhs serves approximately 681 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. New Castle Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,735 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for New Castle Jhs show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

How it compares2.3 pts below PA schools
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at New Castle Jhs were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,986
Chronic Absenteeism46.3%

New Castle Jhs — Students at New Castle Jhs score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 30.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2013
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
8.9%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
11.4%
ELA
18.5%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How New Castle Jhs Compares

See how New Castle Jhs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in PA
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

310 E Lincoln Ave, New Castle, PA 16101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Castle Jhs may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laurel MS (rated 6.5/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Area MS (rated 6.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
New Castle SHS New Castle 0.1 mi 5.1
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 0.7 mi 5.7
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 0.9 mi 3.0
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 1.0 mi 6.3
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle 2.0 mi 8.0
CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle 2.4 mi
CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle 2.4 mi 6.2
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 2.0 mi 7.8
Shenango El Sch New Castle 2.7 mi 7.1
Union Area HS New Castle 2.3 mi 8.6
Union Area MS New Castle 2.3 mi 6.4
Shenango HS New Castle 3.0 mi 7.0
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 4.3 mi 6.0
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 4.3 mi 6.7
FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle 4.1 mi
Laurel HS New Castle 4.2 mi 7.9
Laurel MS New Castle 4.2 mi 6.5
Laurel El Sch New Castle 4.4 mi 8.0
FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant 7.0 mi
Mohawk El Sch New Castle 6.0 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,481

Median Home Value

$109,600

Median Rent

$706/mo

Population

30,960

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

43.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Francis D Raub MS Allentown, PA 3.2
Kiski Area IHS Vandergrift, PA 3.2
South Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA 3.0
Trexler MS Allentown, PA 3.2
Linton MS Pittsburgh, PA 3.3
Northeastern MS Mount Wolf, PA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Castle Jhs

What grades does New Castle Jhs serve?

New Castle Jhs serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend New Castle Jhs?

New Castle Jhs has an enrollment of approximately 681 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Castle Jhs?

The student-teacher ratio at New Castle Jhs is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Castle Jhs rank in PA?

New Castle Jhs ranks #2,735 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is New Castle Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?

New Castle Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 New Castle Jhs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, New Castle Jhs has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

Is New Castle Jhs a charter school?

No, New Castle Jhs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Castle Jhs a Title I school?

No, New Castle Jhs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Castle Jhs?

99.6% of students at New Castle Jhs 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
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
681
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Lawrence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

District

New Castle Area SD
District Enrollment
2,951
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,986
District Rank
#3 of 4

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