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Below Average

#2376 of 2,846 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,376 of 2,846

In Biglerville

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Upper Adams SD

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Upper Adams MS

4.4/10

Middle School in Biglerville · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Biglerville HS

6.6/10

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

Biglerville EL Sch

7.1/10

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

About Upper Adams MS

Upper Adams MS is a public middle school in Biglerville, PA, part of Upper Adams SD. Upper Adams MS serves approximately 253 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Upper Adams MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,376 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Upper Adams MS show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Upper Adams 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,928
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Upper Adams MS — Students at Upper Adams MS score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

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 50.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 63.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 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
84%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
19.5%
ELA
54.6%
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: 2.5/10.

How Upper Adams MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
17th percentile in PA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

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

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 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Arendtsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gettysburg Area MS (rated 5.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Gettysburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bermudian Springs MS (rated 5.6/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby York Springs), which scores notably higher. 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 6.6
Biglerville El Sch Biglerville 1.1 mi 7.1
Upper Adams Intrmdt Sch Arendtsville 2.8 mi 8.4
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 7.6
James Gettys El Sch Gettysburg 5.9 mi 6.7
Adams County Technical Institute Gettysburg 5.9 mi
FOREST LANE MENNONITE SCHOOL Gettysburg 5.2 mi
Vida CS Gettysburg 6.7 mi 6.8
Lincoln El Sch Gettysburg 7.4 mi 5.6
Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg 7.5 mi 5.7
Gettysburg Montessori CS Gettysburg 6.3 mi 6.5
Franklin Twp El Sch Cashtown 6.7 mi 6.8
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gettysburg 7.9 mi 6.1
Bermudian Springs HS York Springs 9.2 mi 7.6
Bermudian Springs MS York Springs 9.4 mi 5.6
Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs 9.4 mi 5.6
Mt Holly Springs El Sch Carlisle 13.0 mi 3.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clemente Roberto MS Philadelphia, PA 4.4
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia, PA 4.4
McGuffey MS Claysville, PA 4.4
Ligonier Valley MS Ligonier, PA 4.5
Line Mountain MS Herndon, PA 4.5
Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8 Pittsburgh, PA 4.5

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 ranks #2,376 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Upper Adams MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Upper Adams 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 Upper Adams MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Upper Adams MS has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

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

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