Very Good
#820 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 29% in state
Palmyra Area MS
Middle School · Palmyra Area SD
50 W Cherry St, Palmyra, PA 17078
Enrollment
817
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
817
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmyra
#4 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#132 of 514
In district
#4 of 6
Palmyra Area SD
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Palmyra Area MS
Palmyra Area MS serves 817 students in grades 6 through 8 in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, offering a solid middle school education with a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio and 60 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #562 out of 2852 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. Students demonstrate strong academic achievement, particularly in English Language Arts where 74% score proficient or above across all grade levels.
In mathematics, 56% of students achieve proficiency or higher, indicating solid foundational skills as students prepare for high school. The school's academic score of 8.2 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning and achievement. Located on West Cherry Street in Lebanon County, the school serves families in a stable suburban community where the median household income is $80,391 and the poverty rate is just 8.2%.
About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The school sits in a large suburban setting with a ZIP code population of 23,269, providing students with both community connection and access to broader opportunities in the greater Palmyra area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmyra Area MS — Students at Palmyra Area MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
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: 8.9/10.
How Palmyra Area MS Compares
See how Palmyra Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 56.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 76% (2019) to 74.3% (2024).
Location
50 W Cherry St, Palmyra, PA 17078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmyra Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hershey MS (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Hershey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Annville-Cleona MS (rated 4.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Annville), a more accessible option. Additionally, BELLAIRE RIDGE SCHOOL (rated 3.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Hershey), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmyra, see our Palmyra schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Street El Sch Palmyra | 0.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Northside El Sch Palmyra | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Forge Road El Sch Palmyra | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Hershey MS Hershey | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Hershey HS Hershey | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| TENDER YEARS Hershey | 3.0 mi | — |
| HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey | 4.7 mi | — |
| Annville El Sch Annville | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| BELLAIRE RIDGE SCHOOL Hershey | 5.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown | 5.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Annville-Cleona MS Annville | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town | 5.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Annville-Cleona HS Annville | 4.7 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,533
Median Home Value
$278,300
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
23,798
College Educated
35.1%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmyra Area MS has a median household income of $84,533. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,300, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Spring MS Newville, PA | 7.3 |
| Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia, PA | 7.3 |
| James W Parker MS Edinboro, PA | 7.3 |
| North Hills MS Pittsburgh, PA | 7.3 |
| Sandy Run MS Dresher, PA | 7.3 |
| Shaler Area El Sch Glenshaw, PA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmyra Area MS
What grades does Palmyra Area MS serve?
Palmyra Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Palmyra Area MS?
Palmyra Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 817 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmyra Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmyra Area MS is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmyra Area MS rank in PA?
Palmyra Area MS is ranked #820 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Palmyra Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmyra Area 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 Palmyra Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmyra Area MS has 53.0% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmyra Area MS a charter school?
No, Palmyra Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmyra Area MS a Title I school?
No, Palmyra Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmyra Area MS?
30.4% of students at Palmyra Area 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 817
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lebanon County
- Phone
- (717) 838-1331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palmyra Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,518
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,663
- District Rank
- #4 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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