Average
#1670 of 2,842 schools in PA
West Hempfield MS
Middle School · Hempfield Area SD
156 Northumberland Road, Irwin, PA 15642
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irwin
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#291 of 514
In district
#7 of 8
Hempfield Area SD
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About West Hempfield MS
West Hempfield MS is a middle school located in Irwin, Pennsylvania, within the bustling suburban area of Westmoreland County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 559 students with a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. With 50 full-time teachers on staff, the environment is conducive to individual attention and academic growth.
West Hempfield MS offers a range of programs designed to cater to diverse learning needs. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.2 out of 10, reflecting areas with room for improvement, students perform reasonably well in ELA/Reading, with 63% reaching proficiency or above. In Math, 42% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, indicating a focus on strengthening foundational skills across the board.
The school's location provides easy access to local amenities and resources within the suburban community. West Hempfield MS is situated at 156 Northumberland Road, offering a convenient setting for families in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Hempfield MS — Students at West Hempfield MS score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46%
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: 4.8/10.
How West Hempfield MS Compares
See how West Hempfield MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 41.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 61.2% (2024).
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. Penn MS (rated 7.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Jeannette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Norwin MS (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillcrest Intermediate Sch (rated 7.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby North Huntingdon), which scores notably higher. 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 | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Hahntown El Sch North Huntingdon | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| H W Good El Sch Herminie | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Norwin HS North Huntingdon | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Norwin MS North Huntingdon | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| HERITAGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Jeannette | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jeannette McKee El Sch Jeannette | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Hillcrest Intermediate Sch North Huntingdon | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Penn Trafford HS Harrison City | 4.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Harrison Park El Sch Jeannette | 4.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Yough SHS Herminie | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sunset Valley El Sch North Huntingdon | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Jeannette HS Jeannette | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Penn MS Jeannette | 4.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Hempfield Area SHS Greensburg | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| McCullough El Sch Jeannette | 5.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Sunrise El Sch Irwin | 5.2 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Hempfield MS has a median household income of $92,975. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $960/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA | 6.0 |
| Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata, PA | 6.0 |
| Garden Spot MS New Holland, PA | 6.0 |
| Holiday Park Intermediate Sch Pittsburgh, PA | 6.0 |
| Knoch MS Saxonburg, PA | 6.0 |
| West York Area MS York, PA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #1670 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is West Hempfield MS's MySchoolScout rating?
West Hempfield MS has a composite rating of 6.0 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 West Hempfield MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hempfield MS has 42.3% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (130/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irwin). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (724) 850-2140
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hempfield Area SD- District Enrollment
- 5,126
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,134
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
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.