Average
#1935 of 2,846 schools in PA
Southwest MS
Middle School · Reading SD
300 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Enrollment
652
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
652
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,935 of 2,846
In Reading
#4 of 31
public schools
In district
#1 of 19
Reading SD
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Southwest 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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Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Southwest MS
Middle School in Reading · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Peter School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tyson-schoener EL Sch
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest MS
Southwest MS is a public middle school in Reading, PA, part of Reading SD. Southwest MS serves approximately 652 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,935 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest MS show 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 3.2
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Southwest MS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
33% of students at Southwest 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
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 16 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: 9.9/10.
How Southwest MS Compares
See how Southwest 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
300 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West Reading El Ctr (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby West Reading), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central MS (rated 3.8/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Northwest MS (rated 2.1/10, 1.4 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 | 3.2 |
| Lauers Park El Sch Reading | 0.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Southern MS Reading | 0.7 mi | 2.0 |
| Tenth & Penn El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading | 0.7 mi | 2.0 |
| Millmont El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| West Reading El Ctr West Reading | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Reading | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL Reading | 1.1 mi | — |
| Tenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| NEW STORY Reading | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Reading | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Central MS Reading | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Northwest MS Reading | 1.4 mi | 2.1 |
| FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Reading | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwest El Sch Reading | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL West Reading | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Thirteenth & Green El Sch Reading | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Conrad Weiser MS Robesonia, PA | 5.4 |
| Donegal JHS Mount Joy, PA | 5.4 |
| Indian Crest MS Souderton, PA | 5.4 |
| Ramsay El Sch Mount Pleasant, PA | 5.4 |
| Strong Vincent MS Erie, PA | 5.4 |
| Penn's Grove School Oxford, PA | 5.5 |
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 ranks #1,935 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Southwest MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Southwest MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest MS has 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.3%
- Phone
- (610) 371-5934
Resources & Links
District
Reading SD- District Enrollment
- 16,657
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,659
- District Rank
- #1 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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