Average
#1492 of 2,842 schools in PA
Southern Lehigh MS
Middle School · Southern Lehigh SD
3715 Preston Lane, Center Valley, PA 18034
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Center Valley
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#258 of 514
In district
#5 of 5
Southern Lehigh SD
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Southern Lehigh MS
Southern Lehigh MS serves 483 students in grades 7 through 8 in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. This middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with solid individual attention during these crucial transitional years. Academically, the school earns a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #777 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 77% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 51% of students achieving proficiency, suggesting the school is working to strengthen quantitative skills among its middle schoolers. The school draws from an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $126,149 and median home values average $395,200.
Over half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a highly educated parent population that typically values academic achievement. With just a 5% poverty rate in the surrounding area, students generally come from stable, resource-rich homes. Southern Lehigh MS sits in Center Valley's large suburban setting within Lehigh County, serving families in an established community that balances residential comfort with educational priorities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Lehigh MS — Students at Southern Lehigh MS score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 5.6/10.
How Southern Lehigh MS Compares
See how Southern Lehigh MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 51.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 76.9% (2024).
Location
3715 Preston Lane, Center Valley, PA 18034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Lehigh MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Saucon Valley MS (rated 8.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hellertown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch (rated 7.8/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Bethlehem), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broughal MS (rated 5.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Bethlehem), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Center Valley, see our Center Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Lehigh SHS Center Valley | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| RED DOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Center Valley | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Liberty Bell El Sch Coopersburg | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Hopewell El Sch Center Valley | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Arts Academy CS Allentown | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Salisbury El Sch Allentown | 3.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem | 4.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Salisbury SHS Allentown | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| South Mountain MS Allentown | 4.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Broughal MS Bethlehem | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown | 4.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Roosevelt El Sch Allentown | 4.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Saucon Valley MS Hellertown | 4.3 mi | 8.1 |
| HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem | 5.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Saucon Valley El Sch Hellertown | 4.3 mi | 7.5 |
| MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER Allentown | 4.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Saucon Valley SHS Hellertown | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$134,137
Median Home Value
$398,300
Median Rent
$1,399/mo
Population
9,501
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
89.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Lehigh MS has a median household income of $134,137. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $398,300, with a median rent of $1,399/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Ephrata MS Ephrata, PA | 6.3 |
| New Oxford MS New Oxford, PA | 6.3 |
| Quaker Valley MS Sewickley, PA | 6.3 |
| Spring-Ford MS 8th Grade Ctr Royersford, PA | 6.3 |
| Brownsville Area MS Brownsville, PA | 6.2 |
| Cedarbrook MS Wyncote, PA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Lehigh MS
What grades does Southern Lehigh MS serve?
Southern Lehigh MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern Lehigh MS?
Southern Lehigh MS has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Lehigh MS is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Lehigh MS rank in PA?
Southern Lehigh MS is ranked #1492 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Southern Lehigh MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Lehigh MS has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Southern Lehigh MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Lehigh MS has 53.5% math proficiency and 76.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Lehigh MS a charter school?
No, Southern Lehigh MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Lehigh MS a Title I school?
No, Southern Lehigh MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Lehigh MS?
18.0% of students at Southern Lehigh 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lehigh County
- Phone
- (610) 282-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southern Lehigh SD- District Enrollment
- 3,047
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,200
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
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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