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Average

#1166 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 41% in state

West Hempfield MS

Middle School · Hempfield Area SD

156 Northumberland Road, Irwin, PA 15642

Enrollment

559

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,166 of 2,846

In Irwin

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

Hempfield Area SD

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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West Hempfield MS

6.8/10

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

West Hempfield EL Sch

7.3/10

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

Calvary Preschool Center

Nearby

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

About West Hempfield MS

West Hempfield MS is a public middle school in Irwin, PA, part of Hempfield Area SD. West Hempfield MS serves approximately 559 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. West Hempfield MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,166 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for West Hempfield MS show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.4% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,134
Chronic Absenteeism14%

West Hempfield MS — Students at West Hempfield MS score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 69.7% (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
76%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
38.6%
ELA
63.6%
2024
Math
41.7%
ELA
61.4%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How West Hempfield MS Compares

See how West Hempfield MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in PA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

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

156 Northumberland Road, Irwin, PA 15642

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Hempfield MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hillcrest Intermediate Sch (rated 7.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Penn MS (rated 7.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Jeannette), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Norwin MS (rated 6.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Irwin, see our Irwin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
West Hempfield El Sch Irwin 0.6 mi 7.3
CALVARY PRESCHOOL CENTER Irwin 1.9 mi
QUEEN OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL North Huntingdon 3.1 mi 7.7
Sheridan Terrace El Sch North Huntingdon 3.4 mi 7.8
Hahntown El Sch North Huntingdon 3.1 mi 8.3
H W Good El Sch Herminie 3.3 mi 6.5
Norwin HS North Huntingdon 3.4 mi 7.8
Norwin MS North Huntingdon 3.3 mi 6.9
HERITAGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Jeannette 3.3 mi 5.8
Jeannette McKee El Sch Jeannette 3.4 mi 5.6
Hillcrest Intermediate Sch North Huntingdon 3.5 mi 7.5
Penn Trafford HS Harrison City 4.3 mi 7.6
Harrison Park El Sch Jeannette 4.4 mi 8.0
Yough SHS Herminie 3.9 mi 5.9
Sunset Valley El Sch North Huntingdon 3.7 mi 7.8
Jeannette HS Jeannette 3.8 mi 7.6
Penn MS Jeannette 4.9 mi 7.3
Hempfield Area SHS Greensburg 4.0 mi 7.5
McCullough El Sch Jeannette 5.0 mi 8.3
Sunrise El Sch Irwin 5.2 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15642 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,975

Median Home Value

$236,000

Median Rent

$960/mo

Population

46,727

College Educated

41.1%

Homeownership

84.8%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

44.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cocalico MS Denver, PA 6.8
Holiday Park Intermediate Sch Pittsburgh, PA 6.8
Mohawk JHS New Castle, PA 6.8
Perkiomen Valley MS-West Zieglerville, PA 6.8
Wendover MS Greensburg, PA 6.8
West Hills Intermediate Sch Kittanning, PA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Hempfield MS

What grades does West Hempfield MS serve?

West Hempfield MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Hempfield MS?

West Hempfield MS has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hempfield MS?

The student-teacher ratio at West Hempfield MS is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Hempfield MS rank in PA?

West Hempfield MS ranks #1,166 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is West Hempfield MS's MySchoolScout rating?

West Hempfield MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 West Hempfield MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Hempfield MS has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is West Hempfield MS a charter school?

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

Is West Hempfield MS a Title I school?

No, West Hempfield MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Hempfield MS?

46.0% of students at West Hempfield 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
7 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Westmoreland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

District

Hempfield Area SD
District Enrollment
5,126
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,134
District Rank
#8 of 8

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