Needs Improvement
#2714 of 2,846 schools in PA
South Mountain MS
Middle School · Allentown City Sd · Allentown, PA
An Allentown City Sd middle school where students score 15 points below what's typical for similar communities.
709 W Emaus Ave, Allentown, PA 18103
- Math 9% vs PA 36% (2024)
- Reading 28% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at South Mountain MS score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 9 points since 2020, reaching 18% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 24% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 35% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Mountain MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 72Very Walkable
- Transit 31Some Transit
- Bike 50Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,850/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Allentown), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$72,545
Median home value
$242,400
Median rent
$1,333/mo
College educated
27.5%
Homeownership
62%
Poverty rate
11.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 18103; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roberto Clemente CsCharter · enrollment unverified | 6.4 | K–12 | 1.8 mi | 626 | Compare → |
| Francis D Raub MSEnrollment path unverified | 3.2 | 6–8 | 2.1 mi | 877 | Compare → |
| Harrison-morton MSEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | 6–8 | 2.2 mi | 667 | Compare → |
| Arts Academy CsCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.3 | 5–8 | 2.5 mi | 276 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Allentown City Sd
- Schools in district
- 21
- Rank in district
- #17 of 21
- District spending per student
- $18,007NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 24.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Mountain MS is listed in Allentown City SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Mountain MS
South Mountain MS is a public middle school in Allentown, PA, part of Allentown City Sd, serving approximately 966 students in grades 6th-8th with a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,714 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about South Mountain MS
What grades does South Mountain MS serve?
South Mountain MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Mountain MS?
South Mountain MS has an enrollment of approximately 966 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain MS?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain 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 Mountain MS rank in PA?
South Mountain MS ranks #2,714 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is South Mountain MS's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 South Mountain MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mountain MS has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is South Mountain MS a charter school?
No, South Mountain MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Mountain MS a Title I school?
No, South Mountain MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mountain MS?
100.0% of students at South Mountain 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 966
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.6%
- Phone
- (484) 765-4301
- Area population (ZIP 18103)
- 47,336
- Area average commute
- 25.2 min
- Area median age
- 39.8
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 18103; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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