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Needs Improvement

#2589 of 2,846 schools in PA

Smith MS

Middle School · Solanco SD

645 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566

Enrollment

359

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,589 of 2,846

In Quarryville

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Solanco SD

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Smith MS

3.8/10

Middle School in Quarryville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Quarryville EL Sch

5.9/10

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

Solanco HS

5.4/10

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

About Smith MS

Smith MS is a public middle school in Quarryville, PA, part of Solanco SD. Smith MS serves approximately 359 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,589 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Smith MS show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Smith MS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-22.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,632
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

Smith MS — Students at Smith MS score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 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
84%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
60%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
20.2%
ELA
55.5%
2024
Math
20.8%
ELA
42.5%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Smith MS Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in PA
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

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

645 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Swift MS (rated 4.3/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SPROUL ROAD SCHOOL (rated 2.8/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Kirkwood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, VALLEY ROAD AMISH SCHOOL (rated 2.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Christiana), a more accessible option. For more schools in Quarryville, see our Quarryville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Quarryville El Sch Quarryville 0.6 mi 5.9
Solanco HS Quarryville 2.0 mi 5.4
MT PLEASANT VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Quarryville 3.3 mi
Providence El Sch New Providence 3.5 mi 5.3
Bart-Colerain El Sch Christiana 3.9 mi 6.3
PENNSY RIDGE SCHOOL New Providence 4.2 mi
MISTY MEADOW SCHOOL Christiana 4.2 mi
HILL ROAD SCHOOL Kirkwood 5.1 mi
Swift MS Quarryville 5.9 mi 4.3
Clermont El Sch Quarryville 6.0 mi 5.0
TWIN ELM SCHOOL Strasburg 5.9 mi
VALLEY ROAD AMISH SCHOOL Christiana 5.5 mi 2.7
COUNTRY VIEW SCHOOL Kirkwood 5.6 mi
BELMONT SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL Paradise 6.7 mi
LINVILLE HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Paradise 7.0 mi 7.2
Paradise El Sch Paradise 8.1 mi 5.2
MEADOWS OF HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Holtwood 6.8 mi
SPROUL ROAD SCHOOL Kirkwood 6.6 mi 2.8
Lampeter-Strasburg SHS Lampeter 8.1 mi 7.4
FAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL Kinzers 7.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17566 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,545

Median Home Value

$284,300

Median Rent

$1,229/mo

Population

12,276

College Educated

19.6%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mount Pleasant Area JHS Mount Pleasant, PA 3.8
Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 3.8
Tamaqua Area MS Tamaqua, PA 3.8
Brownsville Area MS Brownsville, PA 3.7
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA 3.7
Richard Allen Preparatory CS Philadelphia, PA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith MS

What grades does Smith MS serve?

Smith MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Smith MS?

Smith MS has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith MS is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith MS rank in PA?

Smith MS ranks #2,589 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Smith MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Smith MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith MS has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Smith MS a charter school?

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

Is Smith MS a Title I school?

No, Smith MS is not currently a Title I school.

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

49.0% of students at Smith 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
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

District

Solanco SD
District Enrollment
3,059
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,632
District Rank
#7 of 7

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