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Needs Improvement

#2822 of 2,846 schools in PA

Solomon/plains MS

Middle School · Wilkes-Barre Area SD

43 Abbott St, Plains, PA 18705

Enrollment

741

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

2.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,822 of 2,846

In Plains

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Wilkes-Barre Area SD

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Solomon/plains MS

2.4/10

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

Solomon/plains EL Sch

4.1/10

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

Wilkes-barre Area Sd Stem Academy

7.0/10

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

About Solomon/plains MS

Solomon/plains MS is a public middle school in Plains, PA, part of Wilkes-Barre Area SD. Solomon/plains MS serves approximately 741 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Solomon/plains MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,822 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Solomon/plains MS show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 2.8
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Solomon/plains 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 Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment1.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,995
Chronic Absenteeism35.1%

Solomon/plains MS — Students at Solomon/plains MS score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 47.1% (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
70%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
7.3%
ELA
33.7%
2024
Math
11.3%
ELA
34.6%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Solomon/plains MS Compares

See how Solomon/plains MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

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

43 Abbott St, Plains, PA 18705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Solomon/plains MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. JENNY LYNN ELEMENTARY (rated 6.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Kingston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wyoming Valley West MS (rated 3.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Kingston), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Solomon/Plains El Sch Plains 0.0 mi 4.1
Wilkes-Barre Area SD STEM Academy Plains 0.6 mi 7.0
Wilkes-Barre Area HS Plains 0.6 mi 2.9
AL NOOR ISLAMIC ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre 1.1 mi 8.0
Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre 1.5 mi 4.3
NEW STORY SCHOOL Wyoming 2.0 mi 7.0
Dana El Ctr Forty Fort 1.6 mi 3.3
Dodson El Sch Wilkes-Barre 1.9 mi 3.6
JENNY LYNN FERRARO ACADEMY Kingston 1.7 mi
WILKES-BARRE ACADEMY Wilkes-Barre 2.2 mi 6.2
Wyoming Area Primary Ctr Wyoming 2.5 mi 6.9
GRAHAM ACADEMY Kingston 2.1 mi 7.5
GENESIS SCHOOL Kingston 2.0 mi
Third Avenue El Sch Kingston 2.2 mi 2.7
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center Wilkes-Barre 2.2 mi 6.2
GRAHAM ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Luzerne 2.2 mi 7.1
Heights/Murray El Sch Wilkes-Barre 2.6 mi 4.0
Chester Street El Sch Kingston 2.2 mi 4.0
Wyoming Valley West MS Kingston 2.3 mi 3.0
JENNY LYNN ELEMENTARY Kingston 2.3 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,293

Median Home Value

$122,800

Median Rent

$1,006/mo

Population

15,595

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

63.9%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA 2.3
Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown, PA 2.3
Muhlenberg Jr HS Reading, PA 2.5
Pittston Area MS Pittston, PA 2.5
Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg, PA 2.3
West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA 2.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Solomon/plains MS

What grades does Solomon/plains MS serve?

Solomon/plains MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Solomon/plains MS?

Solomon/plains MS has an enrollment of approximately 741 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Solomon/plains MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Solomon/plains MS is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Solomon/plains MS rank in PA?

Solomon/plains MS ranks #2,822 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Solomon/plains MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Solomon/plains MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Solomon/plains MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Solomon/plains MS has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Solomon/plains MS a charter school?

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

Is Solomon/plains MS a Title I school?

No, Solomon/plains MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Solomon/plains MS?

100.0% of students at Solomon/plains 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
741
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Luzerne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

District

Wilkes-Barre Area SD
District Enrollment
8,134
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,995
District Rank
#9 of 9

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