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Very Good

#553 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 19% in state

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch

Middle School · Southern Lehigh SD

5438 Route 378, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Enrollment

689

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

7.8

Grades

4th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethlehem

#2 of 24

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#68 of 514

In district

#2 of 5

Southern Lehigh SD

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch

Southern Lehigh Intermediate School serves 689 students in grades 4-6 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, operating as a middle school within the Southern Lehigh School District. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this transitional grade span. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #360 out of 2,852 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

Students show solid achievement across core subjects, with 78% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 74% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for their continued academic journey. Southern Lehigh Intermediate School draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $51,636 and 30% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school's location at 5438 Route 378 places it in a large suburban setting within Lehigh County, serving families in an established residential area where the median home value is $216,700.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.3%
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.8 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,074

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch — Students at Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
42.6%
ELA Proficiency 78.6%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
73%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
73.9%
ELA
78.3%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Compares

See how Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

5438 Route 378, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Saucon Valley MS (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Hellertown), with a very similar rating. Another option is Southern Lehigh MS (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Center Valley), a more accessible option. Additionally, Broughal MS (rated 5.5/10, 4.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bethlehem, see our Bethlehem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Southern Lehigh MS Center Valley 0.3 mi 6.3
Southern Lehigh SHS Center Valley 0.5 mi 7.0
RED DOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Center Valley 0.9 mi 3.7
Hopewell El Sch Center Valley 1.4 mi 7.0
Liberty Bell El Sch Coopersburg 1.9 mi 8.3
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem 2.0 mi 8.4
Arts Academy CS Allentown 3.5 mi 5.0
Salisbury El Sch Allentown 3.6 mi 8.8
Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem 4.0 mi 3.4
Salisbury SHS Allentown 3.7 mi 5.7
Broughal MS Bethlehem 4.7 mi 5.5
South Mountain MS Allentown 4.1 mi 4.3
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem 4.9 mi 7.3
Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown 4.2 mi 5.0
Saucon Valley MS Hellertown 4.1 mi 8.1
Saucon Valley El Sch Hellertown 4.1 mi 7.5
Roosevelt El Sch Allentown 4.5 mi 3.3
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem 5.1 mi 6.1
Calypso El Sch Bethlehem 5.3 mi 7.5
Saucon Valley SHS Hellertown 4.3 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,470

Median Home Value

$243,100

Median Rent

$1,310/mo

Population

34,259

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

50%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch has a median household income of $58,470. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,100, with a median rent of $1,310/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Conrad Weiser MS Robesonia, PA 7.8
Dover Area MS Dover, PA 7.8
Holicong MS Doylestown, PA 7.8
Slippery Rock Area MS Slippery Rock, PA 7.8
Spring-Ford MS 7th Grade Ctr Royersford, PA 7.8
William Penn MS Yardley, PA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch

What grades does Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch serve?

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch serves students in grades 4th through 6th.

How many students attend Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch?

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch has an enrollment of approximately 689 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch rank in PA?

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch is ranked #553 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch 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 Lehigh Intermediate Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch has 70.6% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch a charter school?

No, Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch a Title I school?

No, Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch?

18.3% of students at Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,583/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bethlehem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lehigh County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southern Lehigh SD
District Enrollment
3,047
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,200
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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