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Very Good

#840 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 30% in state

Southern Lehigh MS

Middle School · Southern Lehigh SD

3715 Preston Lane, Center Valley, PA 18034

Enrollment

483

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#840 of 2,846

In Center Valley

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Southern Lehigh SD

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Southern Lehigh MS

7.4/10

Middle School in Center Valley · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Southern Lehigh Shs

8.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch

8.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southern Lehigh MS

Southern Lehigh MS is a public middle school in Center Valley, PA, part of Southern Lehigh SD. Southern Lehigh MS serves approximately 483 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Lehigh MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #840 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Lehigh MS show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism7%

Southern Lehigh MS — Students at Southern Lehigh MS score 64% proficient, which is below 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 79.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
51%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
81%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
81%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
81.6%
2024
Math
51.4%
ELA
76.7%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Southern Lehigh MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in PA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Bethlehem), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Saucon Valley MS (rated 6.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hellertown), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Arts Academy CS (rated 4.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Allentown), a more accessible option. 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 8.1
Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem 0.3 mi 8.1
RED DOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTER Center Valley 1.2 mi 3.7
Liberty Bell El Sch Coopersburg 1.7 mi 8.5
Hopewell El Sch Center Valley 1.3 mi 8.2
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem 2.3 mi 8.4
Arts Academy CS Allentown 3.7 mi 4.3
Salisbury El Sch Allentown 3.8 mi 7.5
Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem 4.2 mi 3.8
Salisbury SHS Allentown 3.9 mi 6.6
South Mountain MS Allentown 4.1 mi 3.2
Broughal MS Bethlehem 5.0 mi 3.9
Hiram W Dodd El Sch Allentown 4.3 mi 4.3
Roosevelt El Sch Allentown 4.6 mi 3.1
Saucon Valley MS Hellertown 4.3 mi 6.9
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 8.0
Saucon Valley SHS Hellertown 4.5 mi 8.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Perkiomen Valley MS-East Collegeville, PA 7.4
Southern Columbia MS Catawissa, PA 7.4
Springfield Twp MS Oreland, PA 7.4
Grove City Area MS Grove City, PA 7.5
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata, PA 7.3
Harlan Rowe MS Athens, PA 7.3

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 ranks #840 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Southern Lehigh MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Lehigh 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 Lehigh MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Lehigh MS has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.0%

District

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

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