Below Average
#2474 of 2,842 schools in PA
Smith MS
Middle School · Solanco SD
645 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Quarryville
#4 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#450 of 514
In district
#6 of 7
Solanco SD
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Smith MS
Smith MS is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Quarryville, Pennsylvania. Serving grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 359 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite the modest academic performance scores—ranging from an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 48% to just 22% in math—Smith MS continues to focus on student development and growth.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.4 out of 10, placing it at the 12th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #2508 out of 2852. With room for academic improvement, Smith MS remains dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment in its rural community. Smith MS sits on Kirkwood Pike and is nestled within the scenic and quiet surroundings of Quarryville.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Smith MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smith MS — Students at Smith MS score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 3.6/10.
How Smith MS Compares
See how Smith MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 20.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 42.5% (2024).
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 5.5/10, 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), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.9 |
| Solanco HS Quarryville | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| MT PLEASANT VIEW AMISH SCHOOL Quarryville | 3.3 mi | — |
| Providence El Sch New Providence | 3.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Bart-Colerain El Sch Christiana | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Clermont El Sch Quarryville | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith MS has a median household income of $73,545. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $284,300, with a median rent of $1,229/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Tamaqua Area MS Tamaqua, PA | 4.6 |
| 6th Grade Center Quakertown, PA | 4.5 |
| Panther Valley Intermediate Sch Lansford, PA | 4.5 |
| West Reading El Ctr West Reading, PA | 4.5 |
| Annville-Cleona MS Annville, PA | 4.7 |
| Upper Adams MS Biglerville, PA | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #2474 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Smith MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith MS has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Smith MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith MS has 22.3% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (663/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Quarryville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (717) 786-2244
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Solanco SD- District Enrollment
- 3,059
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,632
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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