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Needs Improvement

#2625 of 2,846 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

3.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,625 of 2,846

In New Wilmington

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Wilmington Area SD

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Wilmington Area MS

3.7/10

Middle School in New Wilmington · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wilmington Area HS

8.6/10

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

Wilmington Area EL Sch

6.0/10

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

About Wilmington Area MS

Wilmington Area MS is a public middle school in New Wilmington, PA, part of Wilmington Area SD. Wilmington Area MS serves approximately 302 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilmington Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,625 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Wilmington Area MS show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below PA schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Wilmington Area 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 Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,591
Chronic Absenteeism16.6%

Wilmington Area MS — Students at Wilmington Area MS score 37% 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

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 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
83%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
60%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
30.8%
ELA
61.1%
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: 2.6/10.

How Wilmington Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in PA
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

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 7.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby West Middlesex), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Area MS (rated 6.4/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Castle JHS (rated 3.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby New Castle), with a comparable 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 8.6
Wilmington Area El Sch New Wilmington 0.2 mi 6.0
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 6.7
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 3.0
Luther W Low El Sch West Middlesex 6.6 mi 8.2
Oakview El Sch West Middlesex 6.6 mi 7.6
New Castle SHS New Castle 8.3 mi 5.1
New Castle JHS New Castle 8.3 mi 3.1
West Middlesex Area JSHS West Middlesex 6.7 mi 7.3
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle 8.5 mi 5.7
Union Memorial El Sch New Castle 8.9 mi 7.8
Laurel El Sch New Castle 8.4 mi 8.0
Union Area HS New Castle 8.9 mi 8.6
Union Area MS New Castle 8.9 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brownsville Area MS Brownsville, PA 3.7
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA 3.7
Richard Allen Preparatory CS Philadelphia, PA 3.7
Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia, PA 3.8
Mount Pleasant Area JHS Mount Pleasant, PA 3.8
Pittsburgh South Brook 6-8 Pittsburgh, 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 ranks #2,625 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Wilmington Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilmington Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Wilmington Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilmington Area MS has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

District

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

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