Needs Improvement
#2728 of 2,842 schools in PA
Southern MS
Middle School · Reading SD
931 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reading
#18 of 31
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#493 of 514
In district
#11 of 19
Reading SD
About Southern MS
Southern MS is a middle school located in Reading, Pennsylvania, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 698 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school has 53 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Southern MS currently stands at a MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10, placing it in the 1st percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #2816 out of 2852.
Students show proficiency rates of 16% for ELA/Reading and 4% for Math, indicating areas where additional support could be beneficial. Southern MS is situated in a small city setting within Berks County. The school focuses on developing its students' foundational skills and fostering a supportive learning environment despite the current challenges in academic performance.
Located at 931 Chestnut St, Southern MS plays an important role in serving the educational needs of the local community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern MS — Students at Southern MS score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 5.3/10.
How Southern MS Compares
See how Southern MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 6% (2019) to 3% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 14% (2021).
Location
931 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southwest MS (rated 5.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central MS (rated 4.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northeast MS (rated 3.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading | 0.2 mi | 2.2 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Central MS Reading | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Southwest MS Reading | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Sixteenth & Haak El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 0.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Reading SHS Reading | 1.1 mi | 2.8 |
| Millmont El Sch Reading | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Northeast MS Reading | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading | 1.5 mi | — |
| Northwest MS Reading | 1.6 mi | 2.8 |
| BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Reading | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,179
Median Home Value
$73,000
Median Rent
$978/mo
Population
18,001
College Educated
10.9%
Homeownership
26.8%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
33.7%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern MS has a median household income of $38,179. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $73,000, with a median rent of $978/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville, PA | 3.8 |
| Rowland Academy Harrisburg, PA | 3.8 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg, PA | 3.8 |
| Exeter Twp JHS Reading, PA | 3.7 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle, PA | 3.7 |
| Pittston Area MS Pittston, PA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern MS
What grades does Southern MS serve?
Southern MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern MS?
Southern MS has an enrollment of approximately 698 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern MS is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern MS rank in PA?
Southern MS is ranked #2728 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Southern MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern MS has a composite rating of 3.8 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern MS has 4.5% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern MS a charter school?
No, Southern MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern MS a Title I school?
No, Southern MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern MS?
100.0% of students at Southern 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
- City Safety
- High (1,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Reading). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 698
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berks County
- Phone
- (610) 371-5803
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #11 of 19
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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