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Average

#1233 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 43% in state

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

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Glen Rock

#3 of 5

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#206 of 514

In district

#3 of 5

Southern York County SD

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Southern MS

Southern MS in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, is a regular public middle school that serves students from seventh through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 449 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. Southern MS has 35 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their pupils.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #1481 out of 2852. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 59% in ELA and reading and 35% in math, indicating areas where additional support might be beneficial. Southern MS is situated in a rural area near the town of Glen Rock, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.

The school’s setting offers a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Southern MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.7%
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,151

Southern MS — Students at Southern MS score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 35.1%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
54%
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: 7.8/10.

How Southern MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in PA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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 MS (rated 5.9/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Dallastown), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dallastown Area Intermediate Sch (rated 5.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby York), 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 5.7
Southern El Sch Glen Rock 0.2 mi 6.9
Friendship El Sch Glen Rock 1.9 mi 6.6
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL New Freedom 2.9 mi 6.1
Shrewsbury El Sch Glen Rock 3.1 mi 6.7
SHREWSBURY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Freedom 4.0 mi 5.9
Loganville-Springfield El Sch York 6.5 mi 8.4
Dallastown Area Intermediate Sch York 7.2 mi 5.7
Prettyboy Elementary Freeland 7.3 mi 6.1
Manheim El Sch Glenville 6.5 mi 6.4
Seventh District Elementary Parkton 7.7 mi 6.8
N Hopewell-Winterstown El Sch Red Lion 7.7 mi 5.9
Leaders Heights El Sch York 9.7 mi 5.6
Stewartstown El Sch Stewartstown 7.6 mi 6.9
New Salem El Sch York 9.5 mi 7.6
OLD PATHS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spring Grove 9.3 mi
Dallastown Area SHS Dallastown 9.5 mi 5.1
Dallastown Area MS Dallastown 9.5 mi 5.9
York Twp El Sch York 10.1 mi 4.5
Dallastown El Sch Dallastown 9.9 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern MS has a median household income of $100,298. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $306,100, with a median rent of $1,165/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Beaver Area MS Beaver, PA 6.7
Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte, PA 6.7
Lincoln MS Lancaster, PA 6.7
Science Leadership Academy MS Philadelphia, PA 6.7
South Allegheny MS Mckeesport, PA 6.7
West Branch MS Morrisdale, PA 6.7

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 is ranked #1233 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Southern MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern MS has a composite rating of 6.7 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 35.1% math proficiency and 59.5% 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?

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

County Safety
Low (1/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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