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#1154 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 41% in state

South Fayette MS

Middle School · South Fayette Township SD

3700 Old Oakdale Rd, Mcdonald, PA 15057

Enrollment

844

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mcdonald

#3 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#195 of 514

In district

#3 of 4

South Fayette Township SD

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About South Fayette MS

South Fayette MS serves 844 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in McDonald, Pennsylvania. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #358 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.

Students show particularly impressive results in English Language Arts and Reading, with 85% scoring proficient or above across all grade levels. In mathematics, 68% of students achieve proficiency, reflecting solid performance in this core subject area. Located at 3700 Old Oakdale Road, South Fayette MS operates as a regular public school in a well-established educational community.

The school serves families in an affluent area where the median household income reaches $112,630 and 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a remarkably low poverty rate of 2.7% and median home values around $307,800, the surrounding ZIP code 15057 reflects a stable, educated community of approximately 17,440 residents. South Fayette MS is situated in a large suburban setting that provides students with both educational opportunities and community resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85.1%
Math vs. State Avg+30.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.6 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,314

South Fayette MS — Students at South Fayette MS score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.1%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 86.3%
School
State
53.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
73%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
85%
2024
Math
68.1%
ELA
85.2%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How South Fayette MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

3700 Old Oakdale Rd, Mcdonald, PA 15057

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Fayette MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cecil Intrmd Sch (rated 5.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Mc Donald), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Chartiers Valley MS (rated 3.8/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Bridgeville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mcdonald, see our Mcdonald schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
South Fayette El Sch Mcdonald 0.1 mi 4.3
South Fayette HS Mcdonald 0.3 mi 7.1
South Fayette Intermediate Sch Mcdonald 0.3 mi 8.1
KINGDOM CARE LEARNING CENTER Bridgeville 2.4 mi
McKee El Sch Oakdale 2.9 mi 8.6
WESLEY BRIDGE Bridgeville 3.3 mi
SOUTHWOOD SCHOOL Bridgeville 3.3 mi 6.3
Chartiers Valley Primary Sch Bridgeville 3.4 mi 5.0
Parkway West Career and Technology Center Oakdale 4.5 mi
BRADLEY SCHOOL Pittsburgh 4.6 mi 8.6
Chartiers Valley HS Bridgeville 3.6 mi 5.2
Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville 3.7 mi 3.8
Donaldson Elem Sch Oakdale 4.2 mi 8.3
Cecil Intrmd Sch Mc Donald 4.9 mi 5.8
Hills-Hendersonville El Sch Canonsburg 5.3 mi 5.7
Baker El Sch Pittsburgh 4.9 mi 8.5
Carlynton JSHS Carnegie 5.1 mi 4.5
Muse El Sch Muse 6.1 mi 6.3
Carnegie El Sch Carnegie 5.0 mi 4.7
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Kees Rocks 6.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15057 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,871

Median Home Value

$331,100

Median Rent

$1,032/mo

Population

17,162

College Educated

45.3%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Fayette MS has a median household income of $112,871. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,100, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% 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
Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg, PA 6.8
Daniel Boone Area MS Douglassville, PA 6.8
Highlands MS Natrona Heights, PA 6.8
Manheim Twp MS Lancaster, PA 6.8
North Hills El Sch York, PA 6.8
Oil City Area MS Oil City, PA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Fayette MS

What grades does South Fayette MS serve?

South Fayette MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend South Fayette MS?

South Fayette MS has an enrollment of approximately 844 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Fayette MS?

The student-teacher ratio at South Fayette MS is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Fayette MS rank in PA?

South Fayette MS is ranked #1154 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is South Fayette MS's MySchoolScout rating?

South Fayette MS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 South Fayette MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Fayette MS has 67.1% math proficiency and 86.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Fayette MS a charter school?

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

Is South Fayette MS a Title I school?

No, South Fayette MS is not currently a Title I school.

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

14.3% of students at South Fayette 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

County Safety
Low (0/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
844
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allegheny County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Fayette Township SD
District Enrollment
3,514
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,565
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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