Very Good
#839 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 29% in state
Southern Columbia MS
Middle School · Southern Columbia Area SD
810 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#839 of 2,846
In Catawissa
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Southern Columbia Area SD
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Southern Columbia MS?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Southern Columbia MS
Middle School in Catawissa · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southern Columbia HS
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hartman EL Ctr
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Columbia MS
Southern Columbia MS is a public middle school in Catawissa, PA, part of Southern Columbia Area SD. Southern Columbia MS serves approximately 382 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Columbia MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #839 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Columbia MS show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
Southern Columbia MS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Columbia MS — Students at Southern Columbia MS score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Southern Columbia MS Compares
See how Southern Columbia MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
810 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Columbia MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Danville Area MS (rated 6.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Danville), a more accessible option. Another option is Bloomsburg Area MS (rated 4.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mount Carmel Area JHS (rated 3.5/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Carmel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Catawissa, see our Catawissa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Columbia HS Catawissa | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Hartman El Ctr Catawissa | 0.1 mi | 8.2 |
| W W Evans Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg | 6.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg | 6.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 6.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Danville Ctr Adolescent Female Danville | 6.1 mi | — |
| North Central Secure Trmnt Unt Danville | 6.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Danville Primary Sch Danville | 6.4 mi | 7.2 |
| MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Paxinos | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Danville Area SHS Danville | 6.5 mi | 7.9 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| ST CYRIL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Danville | 6.8 mi | — |
| ST CYRIL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Danville | 7.0 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Danville | 7.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Mount Carmel Area El Sch Mount Carmel | 8.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Mount Carmel Area HS Mount Carmel | 8.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mount Carmel Area JHS Mount Carmel | 8.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Danville Area MS Danville | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Northumberland County Career and Technology Center Coal Township | 9.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17820 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,304
Median Home Value
$210,500
Median Rent
$774/mo
Population
5,528
College Educated
26.8%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
45.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Southern Lehigh MS Center Valley, PA | 7.4 |
| Tussey Mountain MS Saxton, PA | 7.4 |
| Grove City Area MS Grove City, PA | 7.5 |
| Harlan Rowe MS Athens, PA | 7.3 |
| Penn MS Jeannette, PA | 7.3 |
| Philipsburg-Osceola Area MS Philipsburg, PA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Columbia MS
What grades does Southern Columbia MS serve?
Southern Columbia MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern Columbia MS?
Southern Columbia MS has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Columbia MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Columbia MS is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Columbia MS rank in PA?
Southern Columbia MS ranks #839 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Southern Columbia MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Columbia MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Southern Columbia MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Columbia MS has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Southern Columbia MS a charter school?
No, Southern Columbia MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Columbia MS a Title I school?
No, Southern Columbia MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Columbia MS?
36.6% of students at Southern Columbia 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.9%
- Phone
- (570) 356-3400
Resources & Links
District
Southern Columbia Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,207
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,798
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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