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Below Average

#2170 of 2,846 schools in PA

Southern MS

Middle School · Southern York County SD

3280 Fissels Church Rd PO Box 128, Glen Rock, PA 17327

Enrollment

449

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,170 of 2,846

In Glen Rock

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Southern York County SD

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Southern MS

4.9/10

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

Susquehannock HS

7.6/10

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

Southern EL Sch

6.8/10

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 Glen Rock, PA, part of Southern York County SD. Southern MS serves approximately 449 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,170 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Southern MS show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Southern MS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,659
Chronic Absenteeism10.2%

Southern MS — Students at Southern MS score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 71.3% (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
87%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
69.4%
2024
Math
38.9%
ELA
59.1%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Southern MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
24th percentile in PA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.2%

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

3280 Fissels Church Rd PO Box 128, Glen Rock, PA 17327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dallastown Area Intermediate Sch (rated 6.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby York), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dallastown Area MS (rated 4.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Dallastown), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Glen Rock, see our Glen Rock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Susquehannock HS Glen Rock 0.1 mi 7.6
Southern El Sch Glen Rock 0.2 mi 6.8
Friendship El Sch Glen Rock 1.9 mi 5.8
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL New Freedom 2.9 mi 6.1
Shrewsbury El Sch Glen Rock 3.1 mi 5.9
SHREWSBURY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Freedom 4.0 mi 5.9
Loganville-Springfield El Sch York 6.5 mi 7.8
Dallastown Area Intermediate Sch York 7.2 mi 6.3
Prettyboy Elementary Freeland 7.3 mi 7.6
Manheim El Sch Glenville 6.5 mi 7.0
Seventh District Elementary Parkton 7.7 mi 9.2
N Hopewell-Winterstown El Sch Red Lion 7.7 mi 5.7
Leaders Heights El Sch York 9.7 mi 7.7
Stewartstown El Sch Stewartstown 7.6 mi 6.2
New Salem El Sch York 9.5 mi 7.5
OLD PATHS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spring Grove 9.3 mi
Dallastown Area SHS Dallastown 9.5 mi 7.3
Dallastown Area MS Dallastown 9.5 mi 4.0
York Twp El Sch York 10.1 mi 5.9
Dallastown El Sch Dallastown 9.9 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,298

Median Home Value

$306,100

Median Rent

$1,165/mo

Population

8,228

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg, PA 4.9
C E McCall MS Montoursville, PA 4.9
Charleroi Area MS Charleroi, PA 4.9
Eastern Lebanon Co MS Myerstown, PA 4.9
Lamberton MS Carlisle, PA 4.9
Lehighton Area MS Lehighton, PA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern MS

What grades does Southern MS serve?

Southern MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Southern MS?

Southern MS has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern MS is 12.8:1. 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 #2,170 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Southern MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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?

24.3% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
York County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.2%

District

Southern York County SD
District Enrollment
2,799
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,659
District Rank
#5 of 5

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