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Very Good

#1075 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 38% 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

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,075 of 2,846

In Palmyra

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Palmyra Area SD

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Palmyra Area MS

7.0/10

Middle School in Palmyra · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pine Street EL Sch

8.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Northside EL Sch

8.6/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Palmyra Area MS

Palmyra Area MS is a public middle school in Palmyra, PA, part of Palmyra Area SD. Palmyra Area MS serves approximately 817 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmyra Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,075 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Palmyra Area MS show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.5% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,663
Chronic Absenteeism13.2%

Palmyra Area MS — Students at Palmyra Area MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 75.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
73.7%
2024
Math
56.5%
ELA
74.3%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Palmyra Area MS Compares

See how Palmyra Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
62th percentile in PA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Hershey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Annville-Cleona MS (rated 5.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Annville), a more accessible option. Additionally, BELLAIRE RIDGE SCHOOL (rated 3.4/10, 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 8.4
Northside El Sch Palmyra 0.8 mi 8.6
Forge Road El Sch Palmyra 0.7 mi 7.2
Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra 0.8 mi 7.6
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 1.1 mi 8.3
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey 2.8 mi 7.1
Hershey MS Hershey 3.0 mi 8.5
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 3.0 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 3.0 mi 8.9
Hershey HS Hershey 3.1 mi 8.7
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey 3.0 mi 7.5
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 6.3
BELLAIRE RIDGE SCHOOL Hershey 5.8 mi 3.4
Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown 5.7 mi 7.1
Annville-Cleona MS Annville 4.7 mi 5.7
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town 5.3 mi 6.0
Annville-Cleona HS Annville 4.7 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fairview MS Fairview, PA 7.0
James W Parker MS Edinboro, PA 7.0
Nazareth Area Intermediate Sch Nazareth, PA 7.0
North Hills MS Pittsburgh, PA 7.0
Skyview Upper El Sch Eagleville, PA 7.0
Carson MS Pittsburgh, PA 6.9

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 ranks #1,075 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Palmyra Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmyra Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Palmyra Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmyra Area MS has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.2%

District

Palmyra Area SD
District Enrollment
3,518
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,663
District Rank
#6 of 6

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