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Needs Improvement

#2809 of 2,846 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

2.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,809 of 2,846

In Pittston

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Pittston Area SD

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Pittston Area MS

2.5/10

Middle School in Pittston · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pittston City Intrmd Ctr

4.8/10

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

Martin F Quinn Pittston Area Primary Ctr

4.2/10

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

About Pittston Area MS

Pittston Area MS is a public middle school in Pittston, PA, part of Pittston Area SD. Pittston Area MS serves approximately 959 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pittston Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,809 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Pittston Area MS show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.9 pts below PA schools
  • This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Pittston Area MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.5% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,622
Chronic Absenteeism39.2%

Pittston Area MS — Students at Pittston Area MS score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 54.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
14.8%
ELA
45.1%
2024
Math
19.5%
ELA
44.6%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Pittston Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
2.5/10
1th percentile in PA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.2%

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

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 4.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby West Pittston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Solomon/Plains MS (rated 2.4/10, 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 4.8
Martin F Quinn Pittston Area Primary Ctr Pittston 0.9 mi 4.2
Wyoming Area Intermediate Ctr West Pittston 1.1 mi 4.7
HOLY ROSARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Duryea 1.5 mi 6.5
Pittston Area SHS Pittston 2.2 mi 5.2
Wyoming Area Sec Ctr Exeter 1.8 mi 4.3
Wyoming Area Kindergarten Ctr Exeter 1.9 mi 3.9
Old Forge JSHS Old Forge 3.3 mi 5.5
Old Forge El Sch Old Forge 3.3 mi 5.2
TRIBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Old Forge 3.5 mi 6.1
Wyoming Area Primary Ctr Wyoming 3.6 mi 6.9
Riverside El Sch West Taylor 4.4 mi 3.8
Riverside JSHS Taylor 4.5 mi 5.8
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center Wilkes-Barre 5.2 mi 6.2
Riverside El Sch East Moosic 4.4 mi 6.5
NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyoming 4.5 mi 7.0
Solomon/Plains MS Plains 5.6 mi 2.4
Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains 5.6 mi 4.1
AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre 6.3 mi 8.0
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy Plains 6.2 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Muhlenberg Jr HS Reading, PA 2.5
West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA 2.5
Blockson MS Norristown, PA 2.6
Hazleton El/MS Hazleton, PA 2.6
Solomon/Plains MS Plains, PA 2.4
Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA 2.3

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 ranks #2,809 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Pittston Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Pittston Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Pittston Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pittston Area MS has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.2%

District

Pittston Area SD
District Enrollment
3,223
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,622
District Rank
#4 of 4

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