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Below Average

#2640 of 2,842 schools in PA

Pine Grove Area MS

Middle School · Pine Grove Area SD

105 School Street, Pine Grove, PA 17963

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.1

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pine Grove

#3 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#473 of 514

In district

#3 of 3

Pine Grove Area SD

About Pine Grove Area MS

Pine Grove Area MS is a middle school located in the rural area of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, this regular public school has an enrollment of 447 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.2 out of 10, reflecting academic performance that places it in the bottom tenth percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

Specifically, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 30% meet proficiency standards in Math. While Pine Grove Area MS faces challenges academically, its close-knit community and dedicated teachers work to support each student's development. The school is nestled in a quiet rural setting, offering a peaceful environment for learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pine Grove Area 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 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.1%
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-23.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,174

Pine Grove Area MS — Students at Pine Grove Area MS score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 42.9%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
40%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
28.9%
ELA
37.9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Pine Grove Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
7th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

105 School Street, Pine Grove, PA 17963

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pine Grove Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pine Grove El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bethel El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Bethel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blue Mountain El West Sch (rated 7.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Friedensburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pine Grove, see our Pine Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pine Grove El Sch Pine Grove 0.1 mi 8.1
Pine Grove Area HS Pine Grove 0.1 mi 5.9
Bethel El Sch Bethel 7.9 mi 8.1
PLEASANT HILL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Lebanon 9.3 mi
BLUE MOUNTAIN VIEW PAROCH SCHOOL Bethel 8.5 mi 3.8
Northern Lebanon SHS Fredericksburg 9.3 mi 4.0
LEBANON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Myerstown 9.2 mi 6.3
Blue Mountain El West Sch Friedensburg 8.1 mi 7.8
TRIPLE SPRINGS AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Myerstown 10.2 mi
Early Childhood Edu Ctr Minersville 9.6 mi 4.2
JACKSONVILLE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Myerstown 10.4 mi
JONESTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL Jonestown 10.2 mi 6.1
MT AETNA MENNONITE SCHOOL Myerstown 10.5 mi 6.3
COUNTY LINE SCHOOL Myerstown 10.8 mi
Tri-Valley JSHS Hegins 9.4 mi 3.0
BETHEL DUNKARD BRETHREN CHURCH SCHOOL Bethel 9.8 mi 6.2
Minersville Area JSHS Minersville 11.0 mi 4.3
Minersville Area El Ctr Minersville 11.1 mi 6.8
Schuylkill Technology Centers-South Campus Mar Lin 10.9 mi
ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL Minersville 11.3 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17963 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,261

Median Home Value

$203,300

Median Rent

$882/mo

Population

9,444

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

50.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pine Grove Area MS has a median household income of $74,261. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,300, with a median rent of $882/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Shamokin Area Intermediate Sch Coal Township, PA 4.1
Maple Avenue MS Littlestown, PA 4.0
New Brighton Area MS New Brighton, PA 4.0
Wilmington Area MS New Wilmington, PA 4.0
Central Valley MS Monaca, PA 4.2
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pine Grove Area MS

What grades does Pine Grove Area MS serve?

Pine Grove Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Pine Grove Area MS?

Pine Grove Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pine Grove Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Pine Grove Area MS is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pine Grove Area MS rank in PA?

Pine Grove Area MS is ranked #2640 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Pine Grove Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Pine Grove Area MS has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Pine Grove Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pine Grove Area MS has 29.5% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pine Grove Area MS a charter school?

No, Pine Grove Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pine Grove Area MS a Title I school?

No, Pine Grove Area MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pine Grove Area MS?

43.2% of students at Pine Grove 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

City Safety
Low (48/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Schuylkill County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pine Grove Area SD
District Enrollment
1,470
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,140
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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