Orefield Middle School

Summary:

Orefield Middle School is a high-performing public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Parkland School District, with 917 students. The school has consistently ranked among the top middle schools in Pennsylvania, with a current statewide ranking of 117 out of 891 schools and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Orefield Middle School stands out for its exceptional academic performance, consistently outperforming the state and Parkland School District averages on PSSA tests. In 2023-2024, 69.5% of Orefield students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 74.9% for the district and 53% for the state. In math, 48.7% of Orefield students were proficient or better, compared to 64.9% for the district and 40.4% for the state. The school also performs exceptionally well for certain student subgroups, ranking 23rd out of 408 Pennsylvania middle schools for African American students and 27th out of 199 schools for multi-racial students, both with 4 or 5 stars.

Orefield Middle School's success is further highlighted by its low dropout rates, ranging from 0.0% to 1.6% over the past few years, significantly lower than the state average. Additionally, the school spends more per student than the state average, with spending ranging from $14,141 to $17,504 per student over the past few years. This higher spending appears to be translating into better academic outcomes, as Orefield Middle School outperforms many nearby schools, such as South Mountain Middle School in the Allentown City School District, which struggles with much lower academic proficiency rates.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 2675 PA Route 309
       Orefield, PA  18069-9701


(610) 351-5750

District: Parkland School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
117th of 891 Pennsylvania Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,504 Help


Students who attend Orefield Middle School usually attend:

High:    Parkland High School

Feeder schools for Orefield Middle School:

Elementary:    Ironton School
    Kernsville School
    Schnecksville School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.2 Help
Number of students:  917

Racial breakdown:

White:
65.0%
Hispanic:
20.4%
Asian:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Orefield Middle School ranks better than 86.9% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 82.94. (See more...)
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (65%), Hispanic (20.4%), Asian (5.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 36% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Orefield Middle School is 12.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Orefield Middle School employs 75 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Orefield Middle School is $17,504.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Orefield Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Orefield Middle School 117th of 891 Pennsylvania public middle schools. (See Orefield Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Parkland School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Parkland School District 42nd of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Orefield Middle School?

Rank History for Orefield Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 82.97 90th 643 86.0%
2004 78.87 133rd 663 79.9%
2005 86.85 69th 687 90.0%
2006 81.80 88th 736 88.0%
2007 86.95 32nd 749 95.7%
2008 86.30 48th 753 93.6%
2009 86.57 44th 770 94.3%
2010 85.17 53rd 805 93.4%
2011 85.92 40th 825 95.2%
2012 83.93 69th 834 91.7%
2013 78.86 121st 758 84.0%
2014 76.01 151st 728 79.3%
2015 85.13 86th 835 89.7%
2016 86.20 88th 870 89.9%
2017 86.96 82nd 877 90.6%
2018 86.64 84th 861 90.2%
2019 86.90 84th 891 90.6%
2021 72.74 176th 797 77.9%
2022 86.15 90th 883 89.8%
2023 85.45 97th 893 89.1%
2024 82.94 117th 891 86.9%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 90.01 15th 187 92.0%
2024 86.33 27th 199 86.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 79.32 107th 874 87.8%
2024 74.11 159th 877 81.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 82.20 109th 860 87.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 81.25 53rd 660 92.0%
2024 66.04 141st 672 79.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 80.80 127th 870 85.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 69.36 51st 144 64.6%
2024 66.67 56th 145 61.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 96.13 8th 421 98.1%
2024 88.81 23rd 408 94.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 81.10 45th 362 87.6%
2024 73.99 63rd 362 82.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Orefield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 83.15 72nd 681 89.4%
2024 80.82 89th 673 86.8%
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.

Orefield Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

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Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Open Quote Mr. Gombos is a hands-on, visible principal. Our daughter says he's in the hallways and in the cafeteria. His easy-going and friendly manner makes it easy for parents to speak to him regarding school issues. We've only heard good things about OMS that's why we chose to purchase a house within the sending limits of OMS. The teachers are amazing, supportive and outgoing as well. I don't know if they'll ever be able to fill Mr. Gombos' shoes. As parent, I appreciate his being a parent of middle school and high school students because he can relate to us. Kudos to Mr. Gombos and the OMS staff for an outstanding job as educators. It's nice to know our students are well cared for, and safe. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, July 19, 2012

Open Quote Great principal and staff in a great school in a solid district. My general view is there are many like Mr. Gombos and the OMS teachers who CARE about the quality of education and their students. We couldn't be more pleased with our children's education at OMS. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Open Quote After our older daughter's success at OMS, we were saddened to hear Mr. Troutman was leaving. Initially thought Mr. Troutman was irreplaceable, but were wrong. We have discovered Mr. Gombos is a great principal. He has a great sense of humor and our daughter has done well her first year at OMS. He knows many of the students by their first names and genuinely interacts with them when he's in the halls. The staff is extremely supportive our students with special needs as well as those who excel academically. The students are challenged every day and our daughter loves every teacher she had this year. We don't know if Mr. Gombos picks the staff, but the people are amazing. If OMS is any indication of the success our daughter will have at the high school, we are extremely pleased with the education she is receiving. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Open Quote Two of our children graduated from OMS and had great careers at the high school.When you are looking to move into the school district it is beneficial to compare the PSSA scores for this middle school and Springhouse, both are in the district. If you look at the 8th grade 2011 scores, OMS has higher percentages for advanced scores in math and reading. If you look at the proficient scores, they also outperform SMS in the categories of reading and science. As parents, we looked at the end result, 8th grade, because this prepared our children for the high school. Likewise, the overall education our children received at OMS was priceless. The staff is caring and the administration is supportive of the students. Although I don't know if there are official comparisons of disciplinary issues, unofficially, there aren't as many problems at OMS as there are at SMS. Credit needs to be given to Mr. Gombos and his staff for continuing to lead OMS effectively. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Open Quote We've only had positive experiences with supportive and caring teachers and administration. Glad we moved from Springhouse to Orefield. Our kids have improved and grown academically and socially. Not as many disciplinary problems either. The teachers and administration are visible and interact with the students. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Orefield Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2000 1025 16 20 21 1 n/a n/a 0 1083
2001 1115 16 26 18 0 n/a n/a 0 1175
2002 1190 22 23 20 1 n/a n/a 0 1256
2003 1190 22 23 20 1 n/a n/a 0 1256
2004 1189 18 29 26 3 n/a n/a 0 1265
2005 1216 22 26 27 2 n/a n/a 0 1293
2006 1150 23 34 40 2 n/a n/a 0 1249
2007 1126 30 39 36 1 n/a n/a 0 1232
2008 1101 37 33 44 1 n/a n/a 0 1216
2009 1049 40 32 51 2 n/a n/a 0 1174
2010 998 39 32 53 0 n/a n/a 0 1122
2011 977 30 43 70 0 0 4 0 1124
2012 958 29 50 95 0 0 17 0 1149
2013 932 22 51 102 0 0 19 0 1126
2014 877 21 44 107 0 0 20 0 1069
2015 827 23 46 104 0 0 24 0 1024
2016 792 22 41 120 0 0 23 0 998
2017 742 15 45 127 0 0 31 0 960
2018 701 18 43 145 0 0 38 0 945
2019 678 26 54 175 1 1 39 0 974
2020 671 36 49 173 1 2 35 0 967
2021 639 41 51 193 1 2 32 0 959
2022 607 42 48 212 0 1 29 0 939
2023 596 47 49 187 0 1 37 0 917

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 Orefield Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 1083 59.0 18.4 0
2001 1175 63.5 18.5 0
2002 1256 74.6 16.8 0
2003 1256 74.6 16.8 0
2004 1265 77.1 16.4 5.3
2005 1293 78.5 16.5 0
2006 1249 79.1 15.8 11
2007 1232 79.0 15.6 8.8
2008 1216 79.1 15.4 9.3
2009 1174 80.3 14.6 10.5
2010 1122 78.7 14.2 14.4
2011 1124 77.0 14.5 17.3
2012 1149 73.5 15.6 19.7
2013 1126 78.6 14.3 20.7
2014 1069 75.0 14.2 21.4
2015 1024 74.0 13.8 24
2016 998 68.0 14.6 27.7
2017 960 75.0 12.8 25.9
2018 945 76.0 12.4 28.9
2019 974 79.0 12.3 31.1
2020 967 75.1 12.8 32.1
2021 959 68.7 13.9 32.8
2022 939 73.4 12.7 34.3
2023 917 75.0 12.2 36

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 Orefield Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2000 1083 59.0 18.4 0
2001 1175 63.5 18.5 0
2002 1256 74.6 16.8 0
2003 1256 74.6 16.8 0
2004 1265 77.1 16.4 5.3
2005 1293 78.5 16.5 0
2006 1249 79.1 15.8 11
2007 1232 79.0 15.6 8.8
2008 1216 79.1 15.4 9.3
2009 1174 80.3 14.6 10.5
2010 1122 78.7 14.2 14.4
2011 1124 77.0 14.5 17.3
2012 1149 73.5 15.6 19.7
2013 1126 78.6 14.3 20.7
2014 1069 75.0 14.2 21.4
2015 1024 74.0 13.8 24
2016 998 68.0 14.6 27.7
2017 960 75.0 12.8 25.9
2018 945 76.0 12.4 28.9
2019 974 79.0 12.3 31.1
2020 967 75.1 12.8 32.1
2021 959 68.7 13.9 32.8
2022 939 73.4 12.7 34.3
2023 917 75.0 12.2 36

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 Orefield Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $41 (0.3%) $14,100 (99.7%) $14,141
2020 $70 (0.5%) $14,186 (99.5%) $14,256
2021 $72 (0.4%) $16,495 (99.6%) $16,567
2022 $636 (3.6%) $16,868 (96.4%) $17,504

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Orefield 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 84th of 891 Middle schoolsRanks 97th of 893 Middle schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Math (Orefield Middle School)63.251.9
 11.3%
   6th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)3936.4
 2.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Orefield Middle School)80.875
 5.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)6355.6
 7.4%
7th Grade Math (Orefield Middle School)56.556.5
   7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)38.233.2
 5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Orefield Middle School)78.175.3
 2.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.554.5
 6%
8th Grade Math (Orefield Middle School)50.435.5
 14.9%
   8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)32.226
 6.2%
8th Grade Science (Orefield Middle School)71.972.9
 1%
   8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)58.257
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Orefield Middle School)77.167.5
 9.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)57.952.8
 5.1%
All Grades Math (Orefield Middle School)56.848.1
 8.7%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Orefield Middle School)71.972.9
 1%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Orefield Middle School)78.772.7
 6%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students974917
 5.9%
African American2647
 80.8%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian5449
 9.3%
Hispanic175187
 6.9%
Pacific Islander11
White678596
 12.1%
Two or More Races3937
 5.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31.1%36%
 4.9%


Schools Near Orefield Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Orefield Middle School

Orefield Middle School ranks 117th of 891 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 917 students attended Orefield Middle School.

Students at Orefield Middle School are 65% White, 20% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% African American, 4% Two or more races.

Students who attend Orefield Middle School usually go on to attend Parkland High School


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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.





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