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Very Good

#887 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 31% in state

Ridgway Area MS

Middle School · Ridgway Area SD

1403 Hill St, Ridgway, PA 15853

Enrollment

201

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ridgway

#2 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#144 of 514

In district

#2 of 3

Ridgway Area SD

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Ridgway Area MS

Ridgway Area MS is a middle school located in the charming town of Ridgway, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 201 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated staff includes 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their pupils through grades six to eight.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Ridgway Area MS has earned a score of 6.9 out of 10, placing it in the 70th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #849 out of 2852. Academically, students have shown proficiency rates of 66% in ELA and reading, as well as 55% in math. While there is room for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development through targeted support programs.

Set in a remote town with a tight-knit community, Ridgway Area MS provides a nurturing environment where students can grow both academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.1%
Math vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,821

Ridgway Area MS — Students at Ridgway Area MS score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.1%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 66.4%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
57.9%
ELA
64.9%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Ridgway Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in PA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

1403 Hill St, Ridgway, PA 15853

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ridgway Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kane Area MS (rated 7.1/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Kane), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Marys), a more accessible option. Additionally, St Marys Area MS (rated 5.0/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Marys), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ridgway, see our Ridgway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Ridgway Area HS Ridgway 0.0 mi 6.5
Francis S Grandinetti El Sch Ridgway 1.5 mi 8.3
Johnsonburg Area HS Johnsonburg 5.4 mi 8.6
Johnsonburg Area El Sch Johnsonburg 6.2 mi 9.0
Fox Twp El Sch Kersey 7.7 mi 6.6
ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Marys 7.6 mi 6.1
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Saint Marys 7.6 mi 6.6
South St Marys Street El Sch Saint Marys 8.2 mi 7.1
St Marys Area SHS Saint Marys 8.9 mi 4.7
ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Marys 8.9 mi 5.4
St Marys Area MS Saint Marys 9.1 mi 5.0
Brockway Area JSHS Brockway 13.3 mi 7.5
Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway 13.3 mi 8.5
HILLSIDE SCHOOL Brockway 13.4 mi
Kane Area HS Kane 15.9 mi 6.6
Kane Area MS Kane 16.1 mi 7.1
Kane Area El Sch Kane 16.1 mi 6.4
REITZ CROSSING AMISH SCHOOL Brockway 17.1 mi
EAGLES NEST AMISH SCHOOL Brockway 17.0 mi
Juniata El Sch Dubois 20.9 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15853 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,380

Median Home Value

$108,000

Median Rent

$640/mo

Population

6,330

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ridgway Area MS has a median household income of $60,380. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,000, with a median rent of $640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
AMY NW Philadelphia, PA 7.2
Bristol MS Bristol, PA 7.2
MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem, PA 7.2
Apollo-Ridge MS Spring Church, PA 7.3
Greenwood MS Millerstown, PA 7.3
Newport MS Newport, PA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ridgway Area MS

What grades does Ridgway Area MS serve?

Ridgway Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ridgway Area MS?

Ridgway Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 201 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ridgway Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Ridgway Area MS is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ridgway Area MS rank in PA?

Ridgway Area MS is ranked #887 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Ridgway Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Ridgway Area MS has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Ridgway Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ridgway Area MS has 55.1% math proficiency and 66.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ridgway Area MS a charter school?

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

Is Ridgway Area MS a Title I school?

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

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

53.7% of students at Ridgway 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,203/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Elk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ridgway Area SD
District Enrollment
783
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,778
District Rank
#2 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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