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Below Average

#2549 of 2,842 schools in PA

Upper Adams MS

Middle School · Upper Adams SD

135 North Main Street, Biglerville, PA 17307

Enrollment

253

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

4.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Biglerville

#3 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#461 of 514

In district

#4 of 4

Upper Adams SD

About Upper Adams MS

Upper Adams Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Biglerville, Pennsylvania. Serving students in grades seven and eight, the school enrolls 253 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention from the school’s 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Upper Adams Middle School reflects areas for growth; it has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.1 out of 10 and is ranked 25th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with an Academic Score of 3.9/10.

In ELA and reading, about half the students are proficient or above, while in math, that number drops to just over one-third. Despite these statistics, the school remains committed to student development and continuous improvement. Upper Adams Middle School is situated in a close-knit rural setting where community support plays a crucial role in the educational experience of its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Upper Adams 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 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.1%
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,045

Upper Adams MS — Students at Upper Adams MS score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
48%
2024
Math
34.6%
ELA
45.1%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Upper Adams MS Compares

See how Upper Adams MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

135 North Main Street, Biglerville, PA 17307

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Upper Adams MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Upper Adams Intrmdt Sch (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Arendtsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bermudian Springs MS (rated 5.8/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby York Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gettysburg Area MS (rated 4.2/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Gettysburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Biglerville, see our Biglerville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Biglerville HS Biglerville 0.0 mi 4.8
Biglerville El Sch Biglerville 1.1 mi 5.5
Upper Adams Intrmdt Sch Arendtsville 2.8 mi 8.2
ADAMS COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gettysburg 3.9 mi 7.7
GETTYSBURG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Gettysburg 4.7 mi
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Gettysburg 5.3 mi 7.4
Gettysburg Area HS Gettysburg 5.8 mi 5.9
James Gettys El Sch Gettysburg 5.9 mi 7.8
Adams County Technical Institute Gettysburg 5.9 mi
FOREST LANE MENNONITE SCHOOL Gettysburg 5.2 mi
Vida CS Gettysburg 6.7 mi 5.9
Lincoln El Sch Gettysburg 7.4 mi 4.4
Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg 7.5 mi 4.2
Gettysburg Montessori CS Gettysburg 6.3 mi 6.0
Franklin Twp El Sch Cashtown 6.7 mi 5.0
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gettysburg 7.9 mi 6.1
Bermudian Springs HS York Springs 9.2 mi 6.0
Bermudian Springs MS York Springs 9.4 mi 5.8
Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs 9.4 mi 6.1
Mt Holly Springs El Sch Carlisle 13.0 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,274

Median Home Value

$230,000

Median Rent

$862/mo

Population

5,677

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Upper Adams MS has a median household income of $80,274. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,000, with a median rent of $862/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
6th Grade Center Quakertown, PA 4.5
West Reading El Ctr West Reading, PA 4.5
Schuylkill Haven MS Schuylkill Haven, PA 4.3
Sto-Rox Upper El Sch Mckees Rocks, PA 4.3
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia, PA 4.6
Annville-Cleona MS Annville, PA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Upper Adams MS

What grades does Upper Adams MS serve?

Upper Adams MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Upper Adams MS?

Upper Adams MS has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Upper Adams MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Upper Adams MS is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Upper Adams MS rank in PA?

Upper Adams MS is ranked #2549 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Upper Adams MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Upper Adams MS has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Upper Adams MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upper Adams MS has 33.5% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Upper Adams MS a charter school?

No, Upper Adams MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Upper Adams MS a Title I school?

No, Upper Adams MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Upper Adams MS?

55.3% of students at Upper Adams 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

City Safety
Average (400/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Biglerville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Adams County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Upper Adams SD
District Enrollment
1,596
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,928
District Rank
#4 of 4

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 methodology

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