2024 Best Middle Schools in Pennsylvania

A Parent's Guide to Pennsylvania Middle Schools

For parents looking to find the best middle school for their child, Pennsylvania offers plenty of options. With 2530 schools in total, this is a whopping 3.1 times more than the national average, providing families with an impressive array of choices. The state's schools also score very closely to the national average in terms of quality rating, with the entire state receiving a B- overall. Despite this, a closer examination of school data reveals that 31% of middle schools in Pennsylvania have an enrollment above the national average. This means that parents have access to 787 different schools that offer a larger class size and arguably more educational opportunities for their children. Furthermore, Pennsylvania has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1, which is 7% lower than the national norm. This suggests that students in the Keystone State get more personalized attention from teachers and could lead to improved academic performance.

What should you know about public middle schools in Pennsylvania?

Public middle schools are by far the most common type of institution in the country and Pennsylvania is no exception. The state has 1250 public middle schools, which account for nearly half of all educational institutions in the state. The average public school accommodates around 573 students, which is 40% higher than the nationwide average and could be indicative of larger class sizes than other states. Despite this difference, public schools in Pennsylvania still have an overall grade of C+, suggesting that most students are receiving an adequate education and that there are several high-quality options available to families.

All about traditional public schools in Pennsylvania

Traditional public schools are also popular choice amongst families in Pennsylvania and they comprise 88% of all public institutions in the state. On average, traditional public schools have a B- grade which aligns closely with national averages. Furthermore, 51% of traditional public schools in Pennsylvania surpass the national quality rating threshold and offer accelerated curricula and additional resources for students who are looking for deeper levels of academic challenge. Interestingly, these schools tend to be larger than most middle schools, with Pennsylvania's average size being 37% larger than others at 558 students per school.

The Pennsylvania Middle School that Excels in Academics and Community

When it comes to finding the best traditional public middle school in Pennsylvania, Radnor Middle School is undoubtedly at the top of the list. Founded in Wayne (about 20 miles outside Philadelphia), the school has built a strong reputation as a leader amongst its peers across the state and consistently scores an A+. With an enrollment of approximately 827 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, Radnor Middle School offers personalized instruction and a close learning community. In fact, their student-to-teacher ratio is 14% lower than the national average, which is a testament to the school’s commitment to providing small classes and individualized instruction. Parents and students alike attest to Radnor’s rigorous academics and supportive atmosphere, making it one of the top choices for families looking for quality education in Pennsylvania.

Charter Schools in Pennsylvania: A Closer Look

Charter Schools are an increasingly popular choice among parents looking for alternatives to traditional public institutions and there are 128 scattered throughout Pennsylvania. Although this number may appear large at first glance, it is actually lower than other states on a per capita basis, falling near 25th place Nationwide - meaning they may be harder to come by than other types of schools across the state. In terms of quality rating, charter schools fare a bit better than regular public institutions here but still lag behind at just a C grade on average - although 27% of them score above the national threshold so there are still some good options available for parents seeking this option specifically.

When it comes to class size though, charter schools here appear to be much larger than elsewhere - with an average enrollment rate sitting at 718 students per school - or 76% higher than your typical middles school outside PA - meaning larger classes may contribute negatively towards academic performance at these institutions - so parents should pay close attention when weighing their options if considering this path specifically.

What is the best charter middle school in Pennsylvania?

The Souderton Charter School Collaborative is an excellent choice for parents seeking an alternative public education for their child near Philadelphia. Despite having only 235 students enrolled there, it earns an impressive A+ grade overall - testament to its commitment towards higher standards and individualized attention to each student attending - additionally its student/teacher ratio sits at 10:1 (or 29% lower than normal) further emphasizing its commitment towards smaller classes sizes as well as personalized instruction from teachers there - increasing each students chances for success academically and socially at this top performing institution near Philadelphia.

An In-Depth Examination of Magnet Middle Schools in Pennsylvania

Magnet Schools are becoming increasingly popular amongst parents across America given their unique curriculum offerings as well as smaller class sizes so they may be worth consideration if living/working near any current Magnet Middle Schools located here - unfortunately however there are only 25 such institutions scattered throughout PA - or 34% fewer than your typical state across America (on a per capita basis). On top of that these institutions perform comparably to regular public schooling (with an overall C+ grade) however only 8 out them (or 32%) score above national averages - meaning families must conduct thorough research

Private schools in Pennsylvania: a closer look

In Pennsylvania, private schools are on the rise, with 1,229 schools across the state. According to the data, the average grade for a private school in the state is A–. This could mean that the quality of education at these private schools is on par with the national average. Additionally, the average student body size at these schools is 140 students, 66% below the national average. Although this may not necessarily mean higher quality of education, smaller student-teacher ratios can sometimes provide better individualized attention and support as well as more structured learning environments.

Private religious middle schools in Pennsylvania

Religious-based private schools are also popular in Pennsylvania, with 861 such schools available to parents and students. Out of these 861 religious schools, 528 are Christian-influenced. The grade performance of these religious middle schools is a promising B+. Surprisingly, the student body size of religious middle schools in the state is relatively small compared to other states. With an average student count of just 154 students per school, this is 62% below the national average. The most notable religious middle school in Pennsylvania is The Episcopal Academy located in Newtown Square. The school has an impressive 1275 students and an even more impressive 8:1 student-teacher ratio that significantly outperforms the national average by 43%.

What about nonsectarian private middle schools?

The state of Pennsylvania offers 347 nonsectarian private school options, making up 14% of all private middle schools in the area. These nonreligious private schools have an impressive A grade average and 35% score above the national average. Additionally, their size stands out as one of their most attractive qualities as each one has an average of 93 students enrolled, showing 77% fewer students than other states. Shady Side Academy is one of Pennsylvania's best private nonsectarian middle schools. Located in Pittsburgh, it has 1142 students and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio that is 43% lower than the national average - almost guaranteeing that its students will receive plenty of individualized attention from its highly qualified faculty and staff.

A look at other available options in Pennsylvania

All Boys Middle Schools

The number of all-boys middle school options available in Pennsylvania is relatively limited with only 20 choices available across the state. However, they are known for their excellent academic performance as they score an overall A grade on average. Haverford School located near Philadelphia appears to be one of Pennsylvania’s top choices for all boys middle school selection. Boasting 960 students and an 8:1 student to teacher ratio - matching their peers across the nation - Haverford School provides a unique educational opportunity for parents looking for a single gender educational experience for their children.

All Girls Middle Schools

In terms of all girls middle school options, there are 13 organizations available across Pennsylvania with an impressive A+ grade performance overall. The best option for parents looking for a well-rounded education for their daughter should consider The Baldwin School located near Bryn Mawr which boasts 572 students.

Are there fully online elementary schools in Pennsylvania?

As online learning continues to gain popularity due to pandemic restrictions, so does its availability at the elementary level across America. In Pennsylvania, 18 fully online elementary school options are available making up 1% of all elementary schools in the area with an overall C+ grade performance. Veritas Scholars Academy located in Lancaster appears to be one of the top choices in this category as it has 3500 enrolled students with an exceptionally large 31:1 student to teacher ratio - 121% bigger than America's median size, so families will want to be sure to understand the school's approach to class size while maintaining quality.