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Average

#1703 of 2,842 schools in PA

West York Area MS

Middle School · West York Area SD

1700 Bannister St, York, PA 17404

Enrollment

646

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In York

#25 of 39

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#296 of 514

In district

#3 of 5

West York Area SD

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About West York Area MS

West York Area MS is a middle school located in the heart of York, Pennsylvania. Spanning grades six through eight, it serves approximately 646 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. The faculty consists of 59 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to educating young adolescents.

Set in a mid-size suburb, West York Area MS is nestled on Bannister Street and offers a supportive learning environment tailored for middle schoolers. While the academic performance metrics show some room for improvement—36th percentile state ranking and an average proficiency rate of 46% in ELA/Reading and 26% in Math—the school continues to focus on student development. With ongoing efforts, West York Area MS aims to enhance its educational programs and support systems to better serve the needs of its students.

West York Area MS is part of a vibrant community in York County, providing a nurturing setting for middle schoolers as they navigate their academic and social growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at West York Area MS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.9%
Math vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,262

West York Area MS — Students at West York Area MS score 35% 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

55.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.6%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 12 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
30%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
44%
2024
Math
26.1%
ELA
43.8%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How West York Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in PA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

Location

1700 Bannister St, York, PA 17404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West York Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF YORK (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lincolnway El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in York, see our York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
West York Area HS York 0.2 mi 4.5
Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy York 0.6 mi 6.9
GRACE WORDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY York 1.0 mi
Lincolnway El Sch York 1.2 mi 8.3
Devers Sch York 1.3 mi 6.0
Lincoln CS York 1.2 mi 3.9
Indian Rock El Sch York 1.7 mi 7.4
Ferguson Sch York 1.4 mi 6.3
YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL York 1.7 mi 9.0
LOGOS ACADEMY York 1.6 mi 7.9
Wallace El Sch York 1.9 mi 5.8
York Academy Regional CS York 1.8 mi 5.6
YORK ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL York 2.2 mi
William Penn SHS York 1.8 mi 4.6
McKinley Sch York 1.8 mi 5.8
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF YORK York 2.4 mi 8.4
Trimmer El Sch York 1.9 mi 8.0
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL York 1.9 mi 7.1
Crispus Attucks CS York 2.3 mi 7.9
KEYSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY - YORK York 2.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,882

Median Home Value

$176,200

Median Rent

$1,136/mo

Population

38,973

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding West York Area MS has a median household income of $75,882. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,200, with a median rent of $1,136/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Conewago Valley Intrmd Sch New Oxford, PA 6.0
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West York Area MS

What grades does West York Area MS serve?

West York Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West York Area MS?

West York Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 646 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West York Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at West York Area MS is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West York Area MS rank in PA?

West York Area MS is ranked #1703 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is West York Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

West York Area 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 York Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West York Area MS has 25.6% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West York Area MS a charter school?

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

Is West York Area MS a Title I school?

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

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

55.4% of students at West York 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,417/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
646
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West York Area SD
District Enrollment
2,774
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,750
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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