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Below Average

#2372 of 2,846 schools in PA

St Marys Area MS

Middle School · Saint Marys Area SD

979 S Saint Marys Rd, Saint Marys, PA 15857

Enrollment

444

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,372 of 2,846

In Saint Marys

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Saint Marys Area SD

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St Marys Area MS

4.4/10

Middle School in Saint Marys · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Marys Area Shs

6.5/10

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

St Marys Catholic Elementary School

5.4/10

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

About St Marys Area MS

St Marys Area MS is a public middle school in Saint Marys, PA, part of Saint Marys Area SD. St Marys Area MS serves approximately 444 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. St Marys Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,372 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for St Marys Area MS show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

St Marys Area 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.2% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,770
Chronic Absenteeism17.6%

St Marys Area MS — Students at St Marys Area MS score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 63.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 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
87%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
20.2%
ELA
45.2%
2024
Math
22%
ELA
54.7%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How St Marys Area MS Compares

See how St Marys Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
17th percentile in PA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.6%

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

979 S Saint Marys Rd, Saint Marys, PA 15857

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Marys Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ridgway Area MS (rated 6.8/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Ridgway), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint Marys, see our Saint Marys schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
St Marys Area SHS Saint Marys 0.2 mi 6.5
ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Marys 1.3 mi 5.4
South St Marys Street El Sch Saint Marys 1.7 mi 6.0
ST MARYS CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Marys 2.2 mi 6.1
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Saint Marys 2.2 mi 6.6
Fox Twp El Sch Kersey 3.9 mi 6.4
Francis S Grandinetti El Sch Ridgway 8.3 mi 8.2
Johnsonburg Area HS Johnsonburg 10.1 mi 8.5
Johnsonburg Area El Sch Johnsonburg 10.4 mi 7.6
Ridgway Area HS Ridgway 9.1 mi 7.1
Ridgway Area MS Ridgway 9.1 mi 6.8
Brockway Area JSHS Brockway 16.9 mi 7.8
Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway 17.0 mi 8.6
Woodland El Sch Emporium 17.4 mi 8.3
Cameron County JSHS Emporium 17.4 mi 8.6
HILLSIDE SCHOOL Brockway 18.3 mi
DuBois Area SHS Dubois 21.6 mi 7.7
DU BOIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Du Bois 22.1 mi 6.1
Juniata El Sch Dubois 21.7 mi 7.5
Oklahoma El Sch Dubois 22.3 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15857 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,894

Median Home Value

$144,600

Median Rent

$756/mo

Population

12,825

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

13.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

49.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Greensburg-Salem MS Greensburg, PA 4.4
McGuffey MS Claysville, PA 4.4
Middletown Area MS Middletown, PA 4.4
Steel Valley MS Munhall, PA 4.4
Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA 4.5
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Marys Area MS

What grades does St Marys Area MS serve?

St Marys Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend St Marys Area MS?

St Marys Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 444 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Marys Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at St Marys Area MS is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does St Marys Area MS rank in PA?

St Marys Area MS ranks #2,372 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is St Marys Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

St Marys Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 St Marys Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, St Marys Area MS has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is St Marys Area MS a charter school?

No, St Marys Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is St Marys Area MS a Title I school?

No, St Marys Area MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St Marys Area MS?

100.0% of students at St Marys Area 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Elk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.6%

District

Saint Marys Area SD
District Enrollment
1,838
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,770
District Rank
#4 of 4

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