Very Good
#818 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 29% in state
North Hills MS
Middle School · North Hills SD
55 Rochester Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Enrollment
1,075
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,075
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pittsburgh
#41 of 148
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#131 of 514
In district
#1 of 6
North Hills SD
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About North Hills MS
North Hills MS serves 1,075 students in grades 6 through 8 in Pittsburgh's large suburban setting. With 76 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #683 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 74% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance stands at 55% proficient or above, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. Located on Rochester Road, North Hills MS sits within a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $79,984 and home values average $221,400.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects an educated population, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of 9.1%. The school's substantial enrollment creates opportunities for diverse programming and peer interactions while the suburban setting provides a structured learning environment. North Hills MS operates within a community that values education and maintains strong socioeconomic stability, contributing to a supportive atmosphere for middle school students during these important developmental years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Hills MS — Students at North Hills MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 8.3/10.
How North Hills MS Compares
See how North Hills MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 55.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 74.2% (2024).
Location
55 Rochester Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Hills MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shaler Area El Sch (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Glenshaw), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Carson MS (rated 7.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pittsburgh, see our Pittsburgh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Hills HS Pittsburgh | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| West View El Sch Pittsburgh | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| THE GLEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| HOLY CROSS ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER 1280 Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ross El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Highcliff El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY SPECIALIZED LEARNING Pittsburgh | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| McIntyre El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Northgate MSHS Pittsburgh | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Pittsburgh Perry HS Pittsburgh | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| NORTHSIDE CATHOLIC ASSUMPTION ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHSIDE CATHOLIC ASSUMPTION ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Bellevue | 2.5 mi | — |
| Bellevue El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Carson MS Pittsburgh | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Peebles El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Scott Primary Sch Glenshaw | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Shaler Area El Sch Glenshaw | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15229 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,600
Median Home Value
$232,200
Median Rent
$1,120/mo
Population
15,251
College Educated
44.2%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Hills MS has a median household income of $81,600. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,200, with a median rent of $1,120/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Butler Area IHS Butler, PA | 7.3 |
| Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia, PA | 7.3 |
| Mountain View MS Mechanicsburg, PA | 7.3 |
| Palmyra Area MS Palmyra, PA | 7.3 |
| Sandy Run MS Dresher, PA | 7.3 |
| Shaler Area El Sch Glenshaw, PA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Hills MS
What grades does North Hills MS serve?
North Hills MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend North Hills MS?
North Hills MS has an enrollment of approximately 1,075 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Hills MS?
The student-teacher ratio at North Hills MS is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Hills MS rank in PA?
North Hills MS is ranked #818 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is North Hills MS's MySchoolScout rating?
North Hills MS has a composite rating of 7.3 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 North Hills MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Hills MS has 51.8% math proficiency and 74.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Hills MS a charter school?
No, North Hills MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Hills MS a Title I school?
No, North Hills MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Hills MS?
27.6% of students at North Hills 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,075
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (412) 318-1452
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Hills SD- District Enrollment
- 4,648
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,446
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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