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Below Average

#2680 of 2,842 schools in PA

Wilmington Area MS

Middle School · Wilmington Area SD

400 Wood St, New Wilmington, PA 16142

Enrollment

302

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Wilmington

#3 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#485 of 514

In district

#3 of 3

Wilmington Area SD

About Wilmington Area MS

Wilmington Area Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural setting of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 302 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Wilmington Area Middle School shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #2669 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania.

In terms of proficiency rates, 49% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 32% meet these standards in Math. The school is situated in a peaceful rural area, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Wilmington Area 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 Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,819

Wilmington Area MS — Students at Wilmington Area MS score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.6%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 48.5%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 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
43%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
54%
2024
Math
30.5%
ELA
45.2%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Wilmington Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in PA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

400 Wood St, New Wilmington, PA 16142

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilmington Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oakview El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby West Middlesex), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Area MS (rated 6.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Castle JHS (rated 3.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby New Castle), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Wilmington, see our New Wilmington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Wilmington Area HS New Wilmington 0.0 mi 8.8
Wilmington Area El Sch New Wilmington 0.2 mi 8.5
FAYETTE SCHOOL Volant 2.3 mi
WOOD LAWN SCHOOL New Wilmington 3.2 mi 2.8
Neshannock Memorial El Sch New Castle 4.0 mi 6.5
Neshannock JSHS New Castle 4.1 mi 6.0
CRAY CHALLENGES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL (AEDY) New Castle 5.9 mi
CRAY EDUCATION CENTER New Castle 5.9 mi 6.2
NEW CASTLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Castle 7.3 mi 6.3
Washington Intrmd Sch New Castle 7.5 mi 6.8
Luther W Low El Sch West Middlesex 6.6 mi 9.4
Oakview El Sch West Middlesex 6.6 mi 7.9
New Castle SHS New Castle 8.3 mi 5.2
New Castle JHS New Castle 8.3 mi 3.7
West Middlesex Area JSHS West Middlesex 6.7 mi 7.4
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 8.5 mi 6.1
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 8.9 mi 7.1
Laurel El Sch New Castle 8.4 mi 8.5
Union Area HS New Castle 8.9 mi 8.0
Union Area MS New Castle 8.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16142 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,750

Median Home Value

$214,100

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

5,433

College Educated

35.3%

Homeownership

75.4%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilmington Area MS has a median household income of $78,750. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,100, with a median rent of $797/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% 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
Maple Avenue MS Littlestown, PA 4.0
New Brighton Area MS New Brighton, PA 4.0
Shamokin Area Intermediate Sch Coal Township, PA 4.1
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA 3.9
Line Mountain MS Herndon, PA 3.9
Spring Cove MS Roaring Spring, PA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilmington Area MS

What grades does Wilmington Area MS serve?

Wilmington Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Wilmington Area MS?

Wilmington Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilmington Area MS is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilmington Area MS rank in PA?

Wilmington Area MS is ranked #2680 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Wilmington Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilmington Area MS has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Wilmington Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilmington Area MS has 31.6% math proficiency and 48.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wilmington Area MS a charter school?

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

Is Wilmington Area MS a Title I school?

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

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

46.4% of students at Wilmington 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 (1,621/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lawrence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wilmington Area SD
District Enrollment
957
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,591
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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