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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.2%
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,419

North Hills MS — Students at North Hills MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.8%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 74.4%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
70%
2024
Math
55.2%
ELA
74.1%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in PA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,730/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Hills SD
District Enrollment
4,648
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,446
District Rank
#1 of 6

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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