Average
#1338 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 47% in state
Rice Avenue MS
Middle School · Girard SD
1100 Rice Ave, Girard, PA 16417
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Girard
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#234 of 514
In district
#3 of 3
Girard SD
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Rice Avenue MS
Rice Avenue MS serves 445 students in grades 5 through 8 in Girard, Pennsylvania, offering a solid middle school experience with personalized attention through its favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio. The school maintains 37 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring students receive focused instruction during these crucial developmental years. Academically, Rice Avenue MS performs well above average, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 75th percentile statewide at #723 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools.
Students demonstrate strong literacy skills, with 59% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 47% of students reaching proficiency standards, indicating solid foundational skills with opportunities for continued growth. The school draws from a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $78,021 and homeownership is common, with median home values around $166,700.
About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the low poverty rate of 8.1% reflects the community's economic stability. Rice Avenue MS sits in a mid-size suburban setting that provides students with a balance of small-town familiarity and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rice Avenue MS — Students at Rice Avenue MS score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 4.5/10.
How Rice Avenue MS Compares
See how Rice Avenue MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 58.7% (2024).
Location
1100 Rice Ave, Girard, PA 16417
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice Avenue MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fairview MS (rated 7.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walnut Creek MS (rated 6.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Fairview), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Westlake MS (rated 5.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Erie), a more accessible option. For more schools in Girard, see our Girard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Girard HS Girard | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Elk Valley El Sch Lake City | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Fairview MS Fairview | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Fairview El Sch Fairview | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Fairview HS Fairview | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Springfield El Sch East Springfield | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Northwestern El Sch Albion | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwestern MS Albion | 8.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Northwestern SHS Albion | 8.5 mi | 5.5 |
| LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairview | 8.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Walnut Creek MS Fairview | 8.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Asbury El Sch Fairview | 8.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Westlake MS Erie | 9.4 mi | 5.4 |
| McKean El Sch Mc Kean | 9.5 mi | 6.1 |
| McDowell HS Erie | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| SOUTH HILLS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC Erie | 10.4 mi | — |
| Grandview El Sch Erie | 11.0 mi | 7.3 |
| ST JUDE SCHOOL Erie | 11.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Tracy El Sch Erie | 11.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Montessori Regional CS Erie | 11.9 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16417 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,410
Median Home Value
$179,900
Median Rent
$666/mo
Population
8,400
College Educated
30.2%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
46.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rice Avenue MS has a median household income of $80,410. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,900, with a median rent of $666/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Avonworth MS Pittsburgh, PA | 6.5 |
| Octorara Intermediate Sch Atglen, PA | 6.5 |
| Western Wayne MS Lake Ariel, PA | 6.5 |
| Allen MS Camp Hill, PA | 6.6 |
| Belle Vernon Area MS Belle Vernon, PA | 6.4 |
| Bellwood Antis MS Bellwood, PA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice Avenue MS
What grades does Rice Avenue MS serve?
Rice Avenue MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Rice Avenue MS?
Rice Avenue MS has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice Avenue MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Avenue MS is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice Avenue MS rank in PA?
Rice Avenue MS is ranked #1338 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Rice Avenue MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice Avenue MS has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Rice Avenue MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Avenue MS has 47.6% math proficiency and 61.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice Avenue MS a charter school?
No, Rice Avenue MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice Avenue MS a Title I school?
No, Rice Avenue MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice Avenue MS?
100.0% of students at Rice Avenue 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (751/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Girard). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (814) 774-5604
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Girard SD- District Enrollment
- 1,508
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,374
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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