Excellent
#330 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 12% in state
Northern Cambria MS
Middle School · Northern Cambria SD
601 Joseph St, Northern Cambria, PA 15714
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Northern Cambria
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#23 of 514
In district
#2 of 3
Northern Cambria SD
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Northern Cambria MS
Northern Cambria MS is a public middle school in Northern Cambria, PA, part of the Northern Cambria SD. The school serves approximately 243 students in grades 5th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.4th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 30% proficiency in math, 7 points below the state average and 51% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $49,107, where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northern Cambria MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Northern Cambria MS — Students at Northern Cambria MS score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 9.1/10.
How Northern Cambria MS Compares
See how Northern Cambria MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 33.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 50.7% (2024).
Location
601 Joseph St, Northern Cambria, PA 15714
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern Cambria MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Cambria MS (rated 8.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Ebensburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cambria Heights MS (rated 7.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Patton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WESTOVER AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Westover), a more accessible option. For more schools in Northern Cambria, see our Northern Cambria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Cambria El Sch Northern Cambria | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Northern Cambria HS Northern Cambria | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| NORTHERN CAMBRIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nicktown | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Cambria Heights El Sch Carrolltown | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Carrolltown | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ROCKY RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Clymer | 5.3 mi | — |
| WESTOVER AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Westover | 7.0 mi | 3.8 |
| COUNTRY SIDE AMISH SCHOOL Ebensburg | 8.4 mi | 2.7 |
| HILLSDALE MENNONITE SCHOOL Cherry Tree | 8.2 mi | — |
| Harmony Area El Sch Westover | 9.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Harmony Area JSHS Westover | 9.0 mi | 6.6 |
| NICKTOWN PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Northern Cambria | 8.4 mi | — |
| Purchase Line El Sch Commodore | 8.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Purchase Line JSHS Commodore | 8.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Penns Manor Area JSHS Clymer | 8.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Penns Manor Area El Sch Clymer | 8.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Cambria Heights MS Patton | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Cambria Heights SHS Patton | 8.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SHADY LANE AMISH SCHOOL La Jose | 10.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Central Cambria MS Ebensburg | 11.7 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,107
Median Home Value
$94,700
Median Rent
$522/mo
Population
5,215
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
73.7%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
28.2%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern Cambria MS has a median household income of $49,107. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,700, with a median rent of $522/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert Gallatin South MS Point Marion, PA | 8.2 |
| Kutztown Area MS Kutztown, PA | 8.1 |
| Northern Lehigh MS Slatington, PA | 8.1 |
| Conneaut Valley MS Conneautville, PA | 8.3 |
| Brentwood MS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.0 |
| Cambria Heights MS Patton, PA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern Cambria MS
What grades does Northern Cambria MS serve?
Northern Cambria MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Northern Cambria MS?
Northern Cambria MS has an enrollment of approximately 243 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Cambria MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern Cambria MS is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern Cambria MS rank in PA?
Northern Cambria MS is ranked #330 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northern Cambria MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Cambria MS has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Northern Cambria MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Cambria MS has 29.8% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northern Cambria MS a charter school?
No, Northern Cambria MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern Cambria MS a Title I school?
No, Northern Cambria MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Cambria MS?
100.8% of students at Northern Cambria 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
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 243
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cambria County
- Phone
- (814) 948-5880
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northern Cambria SD- District Enrollment
- 787
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,710
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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