Below Average
#2554 of 2,842 schools in PA
South Mountain MS
Middle School · Allentown City SD
709 W Emaus Ave, Allentown, PA 18103
Enrollment
966
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
966
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Allentown
#24 of 34
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#462 of 514
In district
#11 of 21
Allentown City SD
About South Mountain MS
South Mountain MS serves 966 students in grades 6 through 8 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This regular public middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 64 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects.
In English Language Arts and reading, 28% of students score proficient or above, while 9% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place South Mountain MS among schools working to strengthen their academic programs and better serve their student population. The school draws from a diverse community in the 18103 zip code area, where the median household income is $70,069 and median home values reach $226,000.
About one-quarter of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.8% among the area's 48,344 residents. As a mid-size city school, South Mountain MS serves families in an established urban community where educators and administrators are dedicated to helping students build the foundation they need for high school success. The school's location at 709 W Emaus Avenue places it within Allentown's educational landscape, serving students from throughout this vibrant Lehigh County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Mountain MS — Students at South Mountain MS score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 5.5/10.
How South Mountain MS Compares
See how South Mountain MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 8.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 27.6% (2024).
Location
709 W Emaus Ave, Allentown, PA 18103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mountain MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Harrison-Morton MS (rated 4.5/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Francis D Raub MS (rated 4.2/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Allentown, see our Allentown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Roosevelt El Sch Allentown | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Jefferson El Sch Allentown | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Salisbury SHS Allentown | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Lehigh Parkway El Sch Allentown | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Building 21 Allentown Allentown | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Roberto Clemente CS Allentown | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Arts Academy Elementary CS Allentown | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Allentown | 2.0 mi | — |
| Harrison-Morton MS Allentown | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Central El Sch Allentown | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Salisbury El Sch Allentown | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Mosser El Sch Allentown | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Sheridan El Sch Allentown | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch Allentown | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Union Terrace El Sch Allentown | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| William Allen HS Allentown | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY REGIONAL SCHOOL Allentown | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,545
Median Home Value
$242,400
Median Rent
$1,333/mo
Population
47,336
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
39.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Mountain MS has a median household income of $72,545. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,400, with a median rent of $1,333/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Hollidaysburg Area JHS Hollidaysburg, PA | 4.3 |
| Francis D Raub MS Allentown, PA | 4.2 |
| Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg, PA | 4.2 |
| Maple Manor El/MS Hazle Township, PA | 4.2 |
| Shikellamy MS Northumberland, PA | 4.2 |
| Poquessing MS Feasterville Trevose, PA | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #2554 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is South Mountain MS's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain MS has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Mountain MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mountain MS has 9.2% math proficiency and 27.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 72 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 31 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,850/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Allentown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 966
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (484) 765-4301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allentown City SD- District Enrollment
- 16,510
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,007
- District Rank
- #11 of 21
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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