Freedom Area Middle School

Q: Is Freedom Area Middle School a good school?

Freedom Area Middle School ranks 522 nd of 893 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Freedom Area Middle School is a public middle school serving 370 students in grades 5-8 in the Big Beaver Falls Area School District in Freedom, Pennsylvania. While the school has a predominantly White student population, it has consistently underperformed academically compared to state and district averages, with below-average proficiency rates in Math, Science, and English Language Arts.

One key factor that sets Freedom Area Middle School apart is its relatively high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with nearly 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. This is significantly higher than nearby schools like Ehrman Crest Middle School (18.37%) and Marshall Middle School (5.42%). Despite having a lower student-teacher ratio and higher spending per student than the state average, Freedom Area Middle School's academic performance remains a concern, suggesting the need for a closer examination of instructional practices and resource allocation.

Interestingly, Freedom Area Middle School's racial composition is significantly less diverse than nearby schools, with 90.54% of students identifying as White. This could be an area for the school and district to explore in terms of understanding the school's demographics and potential implications for educational equity. Additionally, the school's performance on PSSA tests for specific student subgroups, such as White students and students with disabilities, is also below the state averages, indicating a need to address the unique needs of these populations.

Detail:

Public 5-8

1702 School Street
Freedom, PA 15042-2000

(724) 775-7641

District: Freedom Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
522^nd of 893 Pennsylvania Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,554

Students who attend Freedom Area Middle School usually attend:

High:

Freedom Area Senior High School

Feeder schools for Freedom Area Middle School:

Elementary:

Freedom Area Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.5

Number of students: 370

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.5%

Two or more races:

6.8%

Hispanic:

2.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 59.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Freedom Area Middle School ranks worse than 58.5% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.66. (See more...)

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.5%), two or more races (6.8%), Hispanic (2.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 59.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Freedom Area Middle School is 12.5. (See more...)

Compare Freedom Area Middle School employs 29.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Freedom Area Middle School is $14,554.

Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Freedom Area Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Freedom Area Middle School 522^nd of 893 Pennsylvania public middle schools. (See Freedom Area Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Disabled students:

White students:

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Rank History for Freedom Area Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Freedom Area Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	PA State Percentile
2018	50.39	472^nd	861	45.2%
2019	55.50	442^nd	891	50.4%
2021	41.30	486^th	797	39.0%
2022	40.38	554^th	883	37.3%
2023	43.66	522^nd	893	41.5%

See the entire list of Pennsylvania Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Freedom Area Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	44.18	495^th	874	43.4%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Freedom Area Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	39.80	363^rd	660	45.0%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for White students at Freedom Area Middle School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	25.20	550^th	681	19.2%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

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Enrollment information for Freedom Area Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2016	420	2	0	5	1	1	17	446
2017	406	3	0	6	1	0	22	438
2018	398	2	0	4	0	0	24	428
2019	398	2	0	5	0	0	24	429
2020	376	0	0	8	0	0	23	407
2021	362	2	1	13	0	0	26	404
2022	352	0	1	11	0	0	25	389
2023	335	1	0	9	0	0	25	370

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Freedom Area Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2016	446	32.0	13.9	48.2
2017	438	31.2	14.0	48.9
2018	428	32.2	13.2	50
2019	429	32.2	13.3	47.8
2020	407	31.2	13.0	52.3
2021	404	28.4	14.2	58.9
2022	389	28.7	13.5	56.8
2023	370	29.4	12.5	59.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Freedom Area Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2016	446	32.0	13.9	48.2
2017	438	31.2	14.0	48.9
2018	428	32.2	13.2	50
2019	429	32.2	13.3	47.8
2020	407	31.2	13.0	52.3
2021	404	28.4	14.2	58.9
2022	389	28.7	13.5	56.8
2023	370	29.4	12.5	59.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Freedom Area Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$249 (1.7%)	$14,702 (98.3%)	$14,952
2020	$-49 (-0.5%)	$10,242 (100.5%)	$10,193
2021	$652 (4.2%)	$14,834 (95.8%)	$15,486
2022	$550 (3.8%)	$14,003 (96.2%)	$14,554

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Freedom Area Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 442^nd of 891 Middle schools	Ranks 522^nd of 893 Middle schools	8.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade Math (Freedom Area Middle School)	41.4	44.9	3.5%
5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)	43	42.7	0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Freedom Area Middle School)	52.6	58.5	5.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)	58.5	53.6	4.9%
6th Grade Math (Freedom Area Middle School)	42.1	25.2	16.9%
6th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)	39	36.4	2.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Freedom Area Middle School)	65.3	40.4	24.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)	63	55.6	7.4%
7th Grade Math (Freedom Area Middle School)	42.7	40.5	2.2%
7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)	38.2	33.2	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Freedom Area Middle School)	65.1	48.7	16.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)	60.5	54.5	6%
8th Grade Math (Freedom Area Middle School)	26.6	20.3	6.3%
8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)	32.2	26	6.2%
8th Grade Science (Freedom Area Middle School)	46.8	47	0.2%
8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)	58.2	57	1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Freedom Area Middle School)	51.8	42.4	9.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)	57.9	52.8	5.1%
All Grades Math (Freedom Area Middle School)	37.9	32.1	5.8%
All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)	42.4	39.3	3.1%
All Grades Science (Freedom Area Middle School)	46.8	47	0.2%
All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)	68	65.6	2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Freedom Area Middle School)	58.1	47	11.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)	60.9	53.8	7.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	429	370	13.8%
African American	2	1	50%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	5	9	80%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	398	335	15.8%
Two or More Races	24	25	4.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	47.8%	59.7%	11.9%

Schools Near Freedom Area Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				PSSA Math (2023)					PSSA Science (2023)		PSSA English Language Arts (2023)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSSA Math 5th Grade	PSSA Math 6th Grade	PSSA Math 7th Grade	PSSA Math 8th Grade	PSSA Math All Grades	PSSA Science 8th Grade	PSSA Science All Grades	PSSA English Language Arts 5th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 6th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 7th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Freedom Area Middle School	Public	5-8	1702 School Street	Freedom	15042	Beaver County	Freedom Area School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 775-7641	370	29	12.5	59.7%	335 (90.5%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	43.7	522^nd of 893 public middle schools	41.5%		40.4	554^th of 883 public middle schools	37.3%	32	44.9	25.2	40.5	20.3	32.1	47.0	47.0	58.5	40.4	48.7	42.4	47.0	$14,554	$551	$14,003
Central Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	1500 Allen Ave	Monaca	15061	Beaver County	Central Valley School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 775-8200	543	42	13.0	23.4%	465 (85.6%)	39 (7.2%)	15 (2.8%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.5%)	56.4	397^th of 893 public middle schools	55.5%		61.5	328^th of 883 public middle schools	62.9%	69		22.1	28.5	32.7	27.8	66.7	66.7		60.1	42.4	56.2	52.7	$15,799	$740	$15,058
Ambridge Area Middle School	Public	6-8	401 First Street	Freedom	15042	Beaver County	Ambridge Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(724) 266-2833	467	35	13.4	99.4%	326 (69.8%)	79 (16.9%)	23 (4.9%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.3%)	30.9	614^th of 893 public middle schools	31.2%		31.5	598^th of 883 public middle schools	32.3%	16		20.9	16.4	10.0	15.6	44.7	44.7		47.3	40.7	37.3	41.6	$11,471	$1,058	$10,413
Rochester Middle School	Public	6-8	540 Reno Street	Rochester	15074	Beaver County	Rochester Area School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 775-7500	160	16	9.9	100.0%	106 (66.3%)	27 (16.9%)	4 (2.5%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	20 (12.5%)	37.2	579^th of 893 public middle schools	35.2%		40.7	550^th of 883 public middle schools	37.7%	29		43.2	19.6	0.0	20.6	32.6	32.6		52.1	48.9	41.3	47.4	$28,509	$1,649	$26,860
Beaver Area Middle School	Public	7-8	Gypsy Glen Rd	Beaver	15009	Beaver County	Beaver Area School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 774-0253	307	20	15.0	26.1%	285 (92.8%)	4 (1.3%)	7 (2.3%)	6 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	84.1	116^th of 893 public middle schools	87.0%		88.1	75^th of 883 public middle schools	91.5%	41			39.5	46.7	42.8	77.4	77.4			65.3	75.0	69.9	$11,729	$235	$11,494
New Brighton Area Middle School	Public	6-8	901 Penn Ave	New Brighton	15066	Beaver County	New Brighton Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(724) 846-8100	298	27	11.2	100.0%	214 (71.8%)	22 (7.4%)	6 (2.0%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (17.8%)	43.7	521^st of 893 public middle schools	41.7%		47.4	491^st of 883 public middle schools	44.4%	30		27.7	28.6	11.8	22.6	49.0	49.0		45.5	48.9	52.2	48.9	$17,723	$1,215	$16,508
Hopewell Junior High School	Public	5-8	2354 Brodhead Rd	Aliquippa	15001	Beaver County	Hopewell Area School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 375-7765	622	46	13.6	39.4%	537 (86.3%)	25 (4.0%)	21 (3.4%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.8%)	66.6	286^th of 893 public middle schools	68.0%		64.2	309^th of 883 public middle schools	65.0%	23	48.0	50.8	34.3	25.3	39.1	54.3	54.3	54.1	67.7	58.8	59.1	59.6	$18,249	$469	$17,780
Haine Middle School	Public	5-6	1516 Haine School Road	Cranberry Twp	16066	Butler County	Seneca Valley School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 776-1325	494	42	11.6	19.8%	387 (78.3%)	22 (4.5%)	24 (4.9%)	29 (5.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.3%)								(n/a)	58.5	61.0			59.7			68.7	72.8			70.6	$16,453	$821	$15,632
Beaver Falls Middle School	Public	6-8	1601 8th Ave	Beaver Falls	15010	Beaver County	Big Beaver Falls Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(724) 846-5470	384	31	12.3	100.0%	189 (49.2%)	87 (22.7%)	15 (3.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	92 (24.0%)	35.2	594^th of 893 public middle schools	33.5%		29.7	608^th of 883 public middle schools	31.1%	14		21.4	23.7	11.8	18.6	38.0	38.0		48.3	54.6	36.7	46.0	$16,380	$2,069	$14,311
Marshall Middle School	Public	6-8	5145 Wexford Run Rd	Wexford	15090	Allegheny County	North Allegheny School District	No	No	No	No	(724) 934-6060	793	59	13.5	5.4%	478 (60.3%)	12 (1.5%)	26 (3.3%)	244 (30.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (4.0%)	97	14^th of 893 public middle schools	98.4%		96.2	15^th of 883 public middle schools	98.3%	1		72.5	67.5	63.4	67.8	87.6	87.6		86.8	88.3	84.3	86.5	$18,001	$271	$17,730

Frequently Asked Questions about Freedom Area Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Freedom Area Middle School?

Students at Freedom Area Middle School are 91% White, 7% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What high school do graduates of Freedom Area Middle School attend?

Students who attend Freedom Area Middle School usually go on to attend Freedom Area Senior High School

What district is Freedom Area Middle School in?

Freedom Area School District

How many students attend Freedom Area Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 370 students attended Freedom Area Middle School.

Is Freedom Area Middle School a good school?

Freedom Area Middle School ranks 522^nd of 893 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.