Average
#1234 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 43% in state
Union Area MS
Middle School · Union Area SD
2106 Camden Ave, New Castle, PA 16101
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#9 of 18
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#207 of 514
In district
#3 of 3
Union Area SD
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Union Area MS
Union Area MS is a regular public middle school located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Serving students from grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 161 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Union Area MS places it in the 54th percentile among schools in Pennsylvania, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10.
In terms of proficiency rates, 59% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% reach this level in Math. The school is situated on the fringe of an urban area, providing a setting that balances community connections with access to amenities and resources nearby.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 161 students, Union Area MS is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Union Area MS — Students at Union Area MS score 48% proficient, which is above 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: 7.3/10.
How Union Area MS Compares
See how Union Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 36.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.9% (2024).
Location
2106 Camden Ave, New Castle, PA 16101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laurel MS (rated 6.2/10, 6.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Mohawk JHS (rated 5.7/10, 3.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New Castle JHS (rated 3.7/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Union Area HS New Castle | 0.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Memorial El Sch New Castle | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| New Castle SHS New Castle | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle | 3.3 mi | — |
| CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Lawrence County Career and Technical Center New Castle | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Mohawk El Sch New Castle | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Mohawk SHS New Castle | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Mohawk JHS New Castle | 3.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Shenango El Sch New Castle | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle | 5.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Neshannock JSHS New Castle | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Shenango HS New Castle | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| FAITH COUNTRY CHAPEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN New Castle | 6.1 mi | — |
| Laurel HS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Laurel MS New Castle | 6.6 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,481
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$706/mo
Population
30,960
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
68.9%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
43.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Area MS has a median household income of $50,481. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Altoona, PA | 6.7 |
| McConnellsburg MS Mcconnellsburg, PA | 6.7 |
| NAZARETH ACADEMY GRADE SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA | 6.6 |
| Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA | 6.6 |
| Northern Bedford County MS Loysburg, PA | 6.9 |
| Washington Junior High School Washington, PA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Area MS
What grades does Union Area MS serve?
Union Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Union Area MS?
Union Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Area MS is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Area MS rank in PA?
Union Area MS is ranked #1234 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Union Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Area 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 Union Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Area MS has 35.8% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Union Area MS a charter school?
No, Union Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Union Area MS a Title I school?
No, Union Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Area MS?
100.0% of students at Union 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 (1,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 161
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Lawrence County
- Phone
- (724) 658-4501
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union Area SD- District Enrollment
- 698
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,621
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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