Very Good
#552 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 19% 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
7.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Catawissa
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#67 of 514
In district
#2 of 3
Southern Columbia Area SD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Columbia MS
Southern Columbia MS serves 382 students in grades 5-8 in the rural community of Catawissa, Pennsylvania. This middle school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, the school performs well above average, ranking #702 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools and placing in the 75th percentile statewide.
Students show strong performance in English Language Arts, with 74% achieving proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 52% of students scoring proficient or above. The school has earned a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting its overall academic quality.
The school draws from a stable middle-class community in Columbia County, where the median household income is $65,270 and median home values reach $202,200. With a low poverty rate of 7.6%, families in this ZIP code of 5,317 residents generally have the resources to support their children's education, though 26% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Southern Columbia MS operates in Pennsylvania's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit school environment away from urban distractions while maintaining solid academic standards.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Columbia 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Southern Columbia MS — Students at Southern Columbia MS score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
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 14 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: 9.2/10.
How Southern Columbia MS Compares
See how Southern Columbia MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 52.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 74.1% (2024).
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. Bloomsburg Area MS (rated 7.2/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), with a comparable rating. Another option is Danville Area MS (rated 5.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Danville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mount Carmel Area JHS (rated 5.4/10, 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 | 5.4 |
| Hartman El Ctr Catawissa | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| W W Evans Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 6.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg | 6.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 6.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Danville Ctr Adolescent Female Danville | 6.1 mi | — |
| North Central Secure Trmnt Unt Danville | 6.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Danville Primary Sch Danville | 6.4 mi | 7.3 |
| MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Paxinos | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Danville Area SHS Danville | 6.5 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 4.7 |
| Mount Carmel Area HS Mount Carmel | 8.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Mount Carmel Area JHS Mount Carmel | 8.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Danville Area MS Danville | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Columbia MS has a median household income of $68,304. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,500, with a median rent of $774/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Hartman Intrmd Sch Ellwood City, PA | 7.8 |
| Meadville MS Meadville, PA | 7.8 |
| Oley Valley MS Oley, PA | 7.8 |
| Slippery Rock Area MS Slippery Rock, PA | 7.8 |
| Landisville Intrmd Ctr Landisville, PA | 7.7 |
| Midd-West MS Middleburg, PA | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #552 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Southern Columbia MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Columbia MS has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Southern Columbia MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Columbia MS has 48.8% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Catawissa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (570) 356-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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