Below Average
#2477 of 2,842 schools in PA
Tamaqua Area MS
Middle School · Tamaqua Area SD
502 Penn Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tamaqua
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#451 of 514
In district
#4 of 4
Tamaqua Area SD
About Tamaqua Area MS
Tamaqua Area MS is a middle school located in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, within Schuylkill County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 467 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.
Academically, Tamaqua Area MS ranks in the 12th percentile among Pennsylvania schools based on MySchoolScout's rating system, with a score of 3.6 out of 10 for academic performance. In English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 30% reach proficiency levels. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and providing support to help every child succeed.
The setting is rural yet close to town, offering a mix of natural surroundings and community resources for students to explore and grow in their middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Tamaqua Area 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tamaqua Area MS — Students at Tamaqua Area MS score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Tamaqua Area MS Compares
See how Tamaqua Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 30.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 43.3% (2024).
Location
502 Penn Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tamaqua Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Blue Mountain MS (rated 5.7/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Orwigsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hazleton El/MS (rated 5.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Hazleton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Panther Valley Intermediate Sch (rated 4.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Lansford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tamaqua, see our Tamaqua schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tamaqua Area SHS Tamaqua | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Tamaqua El Sch Tamaqua | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| NEW ENGLAND VALLEY MENNONITE Tamaqua | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JEROME REGIONAL SCHOOL Tamaqua | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tamaqua | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| McAdoo-Kelayres El/MS Mcadoo | 7.3 mi | 3.8 |
| West Penn Twp El Sch New Ringgold | 6.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Panther Valley JSHS Lansford | 7.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Panther Valley Intermediate Sch Lansford | 7.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Heights Terrace El/MS Hazleton | 10.6 mi | 5.5 |
| IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hazleton | 11.4 mi | 6.5 |
| HAZLETON TRINITY NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL Hazleton | 11.4 mi | — |
| West Hazleton El/MS West Hazleton | 11.7 mi | 6.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Hazleton | 11.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Mahanoy Area El Sch Mahanoy City | 9.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Mahanoy Area JSHS Mahanoy City | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Blue Mountain MS Orwigsburg | 10.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Blue Mountain El East School Orwigsburg | 11.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Hazleton El/MS Hazleton | 12.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Arthur Street El Sch Hazleton | 12.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 18252 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,020
Median Home Value
$153,000
Median Rent
$922/mo
Population
11,065
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
68.6%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tamaqua Area MS has a median household income of $61,020. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,000, with a median rent of $922/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Hopewell JHS Aliquippa, PA | 4.6 |
| Smith MS Quarryville, PA | 4.6 |
| Valley View MS Archbald, PA | 4.6 |
| 6th Grade Center Quakertown, PA | 4.5 |
| Panther Valley Intermediate Sch Lansford, PA | 4.5 |
| West Reading El Ctr West Reading, PA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tamaqua Area MS
What grades does Tamaqua Area MS serve?
Tamaqua Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Tamaqua Area MS?
Tamaqua Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tamaqua Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Tamaqua Area MS is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tamaqua Area MS rank in PA?
Tamaqua Area MS is ranked #2477 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Tamaqua Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Tamaqua Area MS has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Tamaqua Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tamaqua Area MS has 29.8% math proficiency and 46.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tamaqua Area MS a charter school?
No, Tamaqua Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tamaqua Area MS a Title I school?
No, Tamaqua Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tamaqua Area MS?
60.8% of students at Tamaqua 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,055/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tamaqua). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Schuylkill County
- Phone
- (570) 668-1210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tamaqua Area SD- District Enrollment
- 2,064
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,838
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.