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Average

#1904 of 2,842 schools in PA

South Side MS

Middle School · South Side Area SD

4949 State Route 151, Hookstown, PA 15050

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hookstown

#3 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#341 of 514

In district

#3 of 3

South Side Area SD

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South Side MS

South Side MS is a regular public middle school in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, located along State Route 151. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 189 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at South Side MS is rated 4.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 36th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

While the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 59%, math proficiency is at 37% across all grades. These scores indicate areas where the school focuses on academic development and improvement. South Side MS is situated in a rural setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere.

With ongoing efforts to enhance student learning outcomes, South Side MS offers a supportive environment for its middle schoolers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 189 students, South Side MS is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, South Side 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 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.2%
Math vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,557

South Side MS — Students at South Side MS score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.5%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 59.3%
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
48%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
55%
2024
Math
38.9%
ELA
55.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How South Side MS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
33th percentile in PA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

4949 State Route 151, Hookstown, PA 15050

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Side MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oak Glen Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby New Cumberland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Liverpool Junior High (rated 4.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby East Liverpool), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hookstown, see our Hookstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
South Side HS Hookstown 0.0 mi 5.7
South Side El Sch Hookstown 0.1 mi 8.0
BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliquippa 1.7 mi
Midland Innovation & Technology CS Midland 4.2 mi
Lincoln Park Performing Arts CS Midland 4.7 mi 5.1
Pennsylvania Cyber CS Midland 4.9 mi 2.7
Midland El/MS Midland 5.1 mi 4.0
Western Beaver Co JSHS Industry 7.0 mi 5.3
Independence El Sch Aliquippa 5.9 mi 4.4
Oak Glen High School New Cumberland 6.7 mi 5.1
Oak Glen Middle School New Cumberland 6.7 mi 8.2
Fairview El Sch Midland 8.8 mi 4.0
A. T. Allison Elementary School Chester 7.3 mi 9.4
North Elementary School East Liverpool 8.0 mi 6.1
East Liverpool High School East Liverpool 8.0 mi 6.3
East Liverpool Junior High East Liverpool 8.0 mi 4.5
New Manchester Elementary School New Cumberland 7.8 mi 9.2
Buckeye On-Line School for Success East Liverpool 8.2 mi 7.2
TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burgettstown 10.4 mi 8.1
Hopewell El Sch Aliquippa 8.3 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,969

Median Home Value

$216,700

Median Rent

$1,331/mo

Population

2,311

College Educated

25.3%

Homeownership

92.9%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Side MS has a median household income of $92,969. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,700, with a median rent of $1,331/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Monessen MS Monessen, PA 5.7
Pittsburgh Schiller 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 5.7
Tunkhannock STEM Academy Tunkhannock, PA 5.7
Millersburg Area Middle School Millersburg, PA 5.8
AMY at Martin Philadelphia, PA 5.6
ST TERESA OF CALCUTTA Mc Sherrystown, PA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Side MS

What grades does South Side MS serve?

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

How many students attend South Side MS?

South Side MS has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Side MS is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Side MS rank in PA?

South Side MS is ranked #1904 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is South Side MS's MySchoolScout rating?

South Side MS has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Side MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Side MS has 37.5% math proficiency and 59.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Side MS a charter school?

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

Is South Side MS a Title I school?

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

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

22.8% of students at South Side 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Beaver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Side Area SD
District Enrollment
903
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,557
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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