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Needs Improvement

#2744 of 2,842 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

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Castle

#18 of 18

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#498 of 514

In district

#4 of 4

New Castle Area SD

About New Castle Jhs

New Castle JHS is a regular public middle school located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 681 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.4 out of 10 and academic score of 1.7 out of 10, New Castle JHS continues to focus on supporting the development of its students through various programs and initiatives.

The school’s proficiency rates in English Language Arts/Reading are at 22%, while math proficiency stands at 11%. These numbers indicate areas where there is room for improvement, but also highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance academic performance. New Castle JHS is situated on the fringe of an urban area within a town setting, providing students with a blend of community and educational resources.

With its location in a supportive and engaged community, New Castle JHS plays an important role in the local neighborhood by fostering growth and development for young adolescents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.5%
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,543

New Castle Jhs — Students at New Castle Jhs score 15% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 11.5%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 21.7%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 12 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
17%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
21%
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: 4.8/10.

How New Castle Jhs Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in PA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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. Union Area MS (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Laurel MS (rated 6.2/10, 4.2 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 5.2
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 0.7 mi 6.1
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 0.9 mi 6.8
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 1.0 mi 6.3
Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle 2.0 mi 7.2
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 7.1
Shenango El Sch New Castle 2.7 mi 8.6
Union Area HS New Castle 2.3 mi 8.0
Union Area MS New Castle 2.3 mi 6.7
Shenango HS New Castle 3.0 mi 7.2
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 4.3 mi 6.0
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 4.3 mi 6.5
FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle 4.1 mi
Laurel HS New Castle 4.2 mi 5.8
Laurel MS New Castle 4.2 mi 6.2
Laurel El Sch New Castle 4.4 mi 8.5
FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant 7.0 mi
Mohawk El Sch New Castle 6.0 mi 8.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Castle Jhs has a median household income of $50,481. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Exeter Twp JHS Reading, PA 3.7
Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville, PA 3.8
Rowland Academy Harrisburg, PA 3.8
Southern MS Reading, PA 3.8
Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg, PA 3.8
Kiski Area IHS Vandergrift, PA 3.6

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 is ranked #2744 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is New Castle Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?

New Castle Jhs has a composite rating of 3.7 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 New Castle Jhs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Castle Jhs has 11.5% math proficiency and 21.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
Elevated (1,139/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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