Needs Improvement
#2842 of 2,846 schools in PA
Southern MS
Middle School · Reading SD
931 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
2.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
2.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,842 of 2,846
In Reading
#31 of 31
public schools
In district
#19 of 19
Reading SD
Shortlisting around Southern MS?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Southern MS
Middle School in Reading · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Amanda E Stout EL Sch
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tenth & Penn EL Sch
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern MS
Southern MS is a public middle school in Reading, PA, part of Reading SD. Southern MS serves approximately 698 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,842 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Southern MS show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.2
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at Southern MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern MS — Students at Southern MS score 10% 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 (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 1.6/10.
How Southern MS Compares
See how Southern MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 5.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central MS (rated 3.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northeast MS (rated 2.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 2.0 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.2 mi | 3.1 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Central MS Reading | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Southwest MS Reading | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Sixteenth & Haak El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 0.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Reading SHS Reading | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Millmont El Sch Reading | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Twelfth & Marion El Sch Reading | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Northeast MS Reading | 1.5 mi | 2.7 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading | 1.5 mi | — |
| Northwest MS Reading | 1.6 mi | 2.1 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Northwest MS Reading, PA | 2.1 |
| Founders Hall Middle Sch Mckeesport, PA | 2.3 |
| Greater Johnstown MS Johnstown, PA | 2.3 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg, PA | 2.3 |
| Solomon/Plains MS Plains, PA | 2.4 |
| John B Stetson MS Philadelphia, PA | 1.5 |
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 ranks #2,842 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Southern MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 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 MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern MS has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.5%
- Phone
- (610) 371-5803
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #19 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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