D
Needs Improvement
38/100

Southern MS

📚 05 – 08 🏫 School
📍 931 Chestnut St, Reading, PA 19602
Overall
D
38/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
Reading 18% · Math 6% proficient · 4th percentile in Pennsylvania
Resources
A+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Pennsylvania schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

38
Repit Score
out of 100
698
Students
enrolled
13.2:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$17K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%4/100reading 3rd percentile, math 4th percentile among Pennsylvania middle schools (2018–19 state tests)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%92/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 100% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Pennsylvania schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −21 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Pennsylvania. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency18% (−44 pts vs. state avg 62%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency6% (−41 pts vs. state avg 47%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Pennsylvania state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White10%10%reading -59 pts, math -38 pts0th percentile (list)
Black25%5%reading -8 pts, math -9 pts17th percentile (list)
Hispanic17%6%reading -22 pts, math -12 pts4th percentile (list)
Low-income18%5%reading -26 pts, math -18 pts3rd percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 931 Chestnut St
City Reading
ZIP Code 19602
District 4220040
NCES School ID 422004000855
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 19602

Understanding the community around Southern MS helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $37,615
Per Capita Income $18,724
Poverty Rate 32.4%
Households Earning $100K+ 9.4%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 11.2%
High School or Higher 71.0%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $61,700
Median Rent $915
Owner-Occupied 29.4%
Renter-Occupied 70.6%
View full data for ZIP 19602 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 19602 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 19602 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Southern MS.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino 85.0%
Black 9.7%
White 3.6%
Two or More Races 1.7%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 698
Teachers (FTE) 53.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 13.2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Southern MS?
Southern MS has a Repit School Score of 38 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Southern MS?
Southern MS has 698 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1.
What grades does Southern MS serve?
Southern MS serves grades 05 – 08 and is classified as a School. This is a public school.
How much funding does Southern MS receive per student?
Southern MS receives $17,489 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Southern MS in 19602 ▼
Avg Home Value
$144,189
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,184
1-Year Change
+13.6%
% Renters
70.6%

Other Schools in 19602

View all schools and real estate data for 19602 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026