Average
#2143 of 2,842 schools in PA
Southwest MS
Middle School · Reading SD
300 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Enrollment
652
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
652
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Reading
#9 of 31
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#390 of 514
In district
#6 of 19
Reading SD
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest MS
Southwest MS is a middle school located in Reading, Pennsylvania, enrolling 652 students from fifth to eighth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides individual attention and support for each student. Southwest MS ranks at the 8th percentile among all schools in Pennsylvania with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.1 out of 10, indicating room for academic growth.
In terms of test performance, Southwest MS has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 20% and a Math proficiency rate of just 5%, showing areas where the school is focusing on student development. Located in the heart of Reading's small city setting, Southwest MS benefits from being part of a vibrant community that values education and growth. Southwest MS serves students within its surrounding urban environment, fostering connections between families, teachers, and the broader neighborhood to support academic and personal success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southwest MS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest MS — Students at Southwest MS score 13% 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 PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Southwest MS Compares
See how Southwest MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2021) to 4.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2021) to 20.5% (2024).
Location
300 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central MS (rated 4.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is West Reading El Ctr (rated 4.5/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby West Reading), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Southern MS (rated 3.8/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PETER SCHOOL Reading | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Tyson-Schoener El Sch Reading | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Southern MS Reading | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 2.2 |
| Millmont El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| West Reading El Ctr West Reading | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Reading | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading | 1.1 mi | — |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Central MS Reading | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Northwest MS Reading | 1.4 mi | 2.8 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwest El Sch Reading | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL West Reading | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| READING SDA JR ACADEMY Reading | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
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 Southwest 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaty-Warren MS Warren, PA | 5.3 |
| Eisenhower MS Norristown, PA | 5.3 |
| Spring Grove Area Intrmd Sch Spring Grove, PA | 5.3 |
| Wilson Area Intermediate Sch Easton, PA | 5.3 |
| Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA | 5.2 |
| East Norriton MS Norristown, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest MS
What grades does Southwest MS serve?
Southwest MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest MS?
Southwest MS has an enrollment of approximately 652 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest MS is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest MS rank in PA?
Southwest MS is ranked #2143 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Southwest MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest MS has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Southwest MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest MS has 4.6% math proficiency and 19.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest MS a charter school?
No, Southwest MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest MS a Title I school?
No, Southwest MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest MS?
100.0% of students at Southwest 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
- 652
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berks County
- Phone
- (610) 371-5934
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #6 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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