Needs Improvement
#2701 of 2,842 schools in PA
Pittston Area MS
Middle School · Pittston Area SD
120 New Street, Pittston, PA 18640
Enrollment
959
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
959
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pittston
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#488 of 514
In district
#4 of 4
Pittston Area SD
About Pittston Area MS
Pittston Area MS serves 959 students in grades 5 through 8 in Pennsylvania's Luzerne County. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school students. The school has significant room for academic growth, with test scores indicating that 45% of students perform at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 20% reach proficiency in Mathematics.
These results place Pittston Area MS at #2607 among Pennsylvania's 2,852 schools, ranking in the 9th percentile statewide. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $49,753 and median home value is $136,300. About 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the local poverty rate stands at 18%.
Despite academic challenges, the school serves an important role in its community of over 16,000 residents. Pittston Area MS operates as a regular public middle school in a large suburban setting on New Street, providing educational services to families in this established Pennsylvania community that values accessibility and neighborhood schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Pittston Area MS — Students at Pittston Area MS score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Pittston Area MS Compares
See how Pittston Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 19.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 44.5% (2024).
Location
120 New Street, Pittston, PA 18640
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pittston Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wyoming Area Intermediate Ctr (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby West Pittston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Solomon/Plains MS (rated 4.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Plains), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pittston, see our Pittston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pittston City Intrmd Ctr Pittston | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Martin F Quinn Pittston Area Primary Ctr Pittston | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Wyoming Area Intermediate Ctr West Pittston | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY ROSARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Duryea | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Pittston Area SHS Pittston | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Wyoming Area Sec Ctr Exeter | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Wyoming Area Kindergarten Ctr Exeter | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Old Forge JSHS Old Forge | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Old Forge El Sch Old Forge | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| TRIBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Old Forge | 3.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Wyoming Area Primary Ctr Wyoming | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Riverside El Sch West Taylor | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverside JSHS Taylor | 4.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center Wilkes-Barre | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Riverside El Sch East Moosic | 4.4 mi | 7.1 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyoming | 4.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Solomon/Plains MS Plains | 5.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains | 5.6 mi | 4.7 |
| AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre | 6.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy Plains | 6.2 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,358
Median Home Value
$135,200
Median Rent
$890/mo
Population
16,418
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pittston Area MS has a median household income of $57,358. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,200, with a median rent of $890/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| West Mifflin Area MS West Mifflin, PA | 3.9 |
| Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville, PA | 3.8 |
| Drexel Hill MS Drexel Hill, PA | 4.0 |
| Emory H Markle MS Hanover, PA | 3.8 |
| Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown, PA | 4.0 |
| Highland MS Beaver Falls, PA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pittston Area MS
What grades does Pittston Area MS serve?
Pittston Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Pittston Area MS?
Pittston Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 959 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pittston Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Pittston Area MS is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pittston Area MS rank in PA?
Pittston Area MS is ranked #2701 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Pittston Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Pittston Area MS has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Pittston Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pittston Area MS has 19.4% math proficiency and 44.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pittston Area MS a charter school?
No, Pittston Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pittston Area MS a Title I school?
No, Pittston Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pittston Area MS?
57.9% of students at Pittston 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pittston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 959
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Luzerne County
- Phone
- (570) 654-2415
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pittston Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,223
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,622
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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