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Southern Columbia Middle School

Q: Is Southern Columbia Middle School a good school?

Southern Columbia Middle School ranks 102 nd of 873 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 5-8

102^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 873 Pennsylvania Middle Schools

Better than 88% of Pennsylvania middle schools

Summary

Southern Columbia Middle School is a public middle school located in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 382 students. The school is part of the Southern Columbia Area School District, which is ranked 144 out of 606 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southern Columbia Middle School consistently ranks among the top 25% of middle schools in Pennsylvania, with a statewide ranking between 85-210 over the past several years. The school's PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) test scores are significantly higher than the state averages in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA) across all grade levels. In 2024-2025, the school's proficiency rates in Math and ELA for all grades were 52.3% and 59.9%, respectively, compared to the state averages of 41.7% and 48.5%. The school's performance is particularly strong in 7th grade Math, where the proficiency rate was 60.8%, significantly higher than the state average of 33.7%. Southern Columbia Middle School also excels in supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ranking in the top 10% of Pennsylvania middle schools for this subgroup in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

While Berwick Area Middle School and Shamokin Area Middle School have higher percentages of free and reduced-lunch recipients, Southern Columbia Middle School outperforms these nearby schools in academic metrics. However, Central Columbia Middle School and Danville Area Middle School, which are also within a 10-mile radius, demonstrate comparable or even stronger academic performance in certain areas. Overall, Southern Columbia Middle School stands out as an exemplary educational institution in the region, with a focus on supporting students from diverse backgrounds and investing in resources and small class sizes.

367

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,571

Per pupil spending ?

38.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820-8410

(570) 356-3400

District: Southern Columbia Area School District

Students who attend Southern Columbia Middle School usually attend:

High:

Southern Columbia High School

Feeder schools for Southern Columbia Middle School:

Elementary:

Hartman Elementary Center

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.8%

Hispanic:

2.5%

Two or more races:

1.9%

See top rated Pennsylvania middle schools

Compare Southern Columbia Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 80th percentile in 2015 → 88th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Pennsylvania average (56% vs 45% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Pennsylvania middle schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 8 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school56%

District avg57%

Pennsylvania avg45%

102^nd of 873

Pennsylvania public middle schools ?

Top 12%▲ up 8 pts since 2015

From top 20% (2015) to top 12% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Pennsylvania Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

144^th of 606Southern Columbia Area School District among Pennsylvania districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	85.2	102 of 873	88.3%	★★★★☆
2024	86.9	85 of 891	90.5%	★★★★★
2023	74.0	210 of 893	76.5%	★★★★☆
2022	78.2	156 of 883	82.3%	★★★★☆
2021	70.2	204 of 797	74.4%	★★★★☆
2019	78.8	164 of 891	81.6%	★★★★☆
2018	75.5	197 of 861	77.1%	★★★★☆
2017	66.6	283 of 877	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	72.4	230 of 870	73.6%	★★★★☆
2015	77.5	166 of 835	80.1%	★★★★☆
2014	64.8	291 of 728	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	66.1	300 of 758	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.6	361 of 834	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	66.1	324 of 825	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	70.5	239 of 805	70.3%	★★★★☆
2009	78.8	118 of 770	84.7%	★★★★☆
2008	72.8	190 of 753	74.8%	★★★★☆
2007	63.0	313 of 749	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2006	80.2	102 of 736	86.1%	★★★★☆
2005	62.3	294 of 687	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2004	68.0	240 of 663	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2003	72.0	191 of 643	70.3%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	55.1	199 of 643	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.3	162 of 672	75.9%	★★★★☆
2023	43.8	323 of 660	51.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	82.6	114 of 835	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	85.5	86 of 860	90.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	84.8	70 of 843	91.7%	★★★★★
2024	87.5	54 of 877	93.8%	★★★★★
2023	70.7	186 of 874	78.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	84.8	92 of 839	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	84.2	101 of 870	88.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	76.0	122 of 649	81.2%	★★★★☆
2024	78.0	106 of 673	84.2%	★★★★☆
2023	61.9	224 of 681	67.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)92nd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2025)89th percentile~ school

Female (2025)86th percentile~ school

White (2025)81st percentile-7 vs school

Disabled (2025)69th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Pennsylvania (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts60%+11 vs state

Math52%+11 vs state

★

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Schools Near Southern Columbia Middle School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				PSSA Math (2025)					PSSA English Language Arts (2025)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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 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
Southern Columbia Middle School	Public	5-8	810 Southern Drive	Catawissa	17820	Columbia County	Southern Columbia Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 356-3400	367	27	13.5	38.1%	348 (94.8%)	2 (0.5%)	9 (2.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.9%)	85.2	102^nd of 873 public middle schools	88.3%		86.9	85^th of 891 public middle schools	90.5%	17	44.0	50.0	60.8	53.5	52.3	43.4	71.4	66.7	55.6	59.9	$18,571	$1,228	$17,343
Bloomsburg Area Middle School	Public	6-8	1100 Railroad St	Bloomsburg	17815	Columbia County	Bloomsburg Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(570) 784-9100	380	27	13.8	50.0%	307 (80.8%)	22 (5.8%)	25 (6.6%)	10 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.2%)	66.6	251^st of 873 public middle schools	71.2%		72.4	225^th of 891 public middle schools	74.7%	26		46.8	39.8	32.0	39.1		55.8	42.3	58.6	52.7	$7,832	$1,426	$6,407
Danville Area Middle School	Public	6-8	252 Northumberland St	Danville	17821	Montour County	Danville Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 271-3268	518	39	13.3	35.5%	447 (86.3%)	8 (1.5%)	28 (5.4%)	17 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.5%)	78.7	147^th of 873 public middle schools	83.2%		76.6	180^th of 891 public middle schools	79.8%	33		46.3	49.7	40.0	45.2		62.3	59.7	60.8	60.9	$16,205	$810	$15,394
Mount Carmel Area Junior High School	Public	7-8	600 W 5th St	Mount Carmel	17851	Northumberland County	Mount Carmel Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 339-1500	253	15	17.0	102.8%	202 (79.8%)	5 (2.0%)	33 (13.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.7%)	43.6	501^st of 873 public middle schools	42.6%		44.4	521^st of 891 public middle schools	41.5%	20			29.7	29.6	29.7			34.2	36.2	35.3	$14,300	$607	$13,693
Shamokin Area Middle School	Public	7-8	2000 W State St	Shamokin	17866	Northumberland County	Shamokin Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 648-5731	351	25	14.1	100.3%	269 (76.6%)	14 (4.0%)	54 (15.4%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.1%)	24.9	638^th of 873 public middle schools	26.9%		35.2	590^th of 891 public middle schools	33.8%	48			15.3	9.9	12.4			26.7	38.1	32.6	$10,331	$1,598	$8,733
Shamokin Area Intermediate School	Public	5-6	3000 W State St	Coal Township	17866	Northumberland County	Shamokin Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 648-5721	308	15	20.2	103.2%	216 (70.1%)	15 (4.9%)	67 (21.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.6%)								(n/a)	18.9	15.1			17.2	27.0	29.5			28.2	$10,256	$1,532	$8,724
Central Columbia Middle School	Public	5-8	4777 Old Berwick Rd	Bloomsburg	17815	Columbia County	Central Columbia School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 784-6103	587	40	14.6	37.8%	513 (87.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.9%)	16 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	32 (5.5%)	84.8	105^th of 873 public middle schools	88.0%		89.6	67^th of 891 public middle schools	92.5%	38	54.4	63.9	59.4	63.6	60.5	56.7	61.4	51.9	63.6	58.5	$19,266	$636	$18,630
Shikellamy Middle School	Public	6-8	545 Permastone Dr	Northumberland	17857	Northumberland County	Shikellamy School District	No	No	No	Yes	(570) 286-3736	588	33	18.0	111.6%	408 (69.4%)	26 (4.4%)	102 (17.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (8.7%)	43.6	502^nd of 873 public middle schools	42.5%		45.7	506^th of 891 public middle schools	43.2%	4		35.0	31.2	26.2	30.7		38.6	34.4	38.6	37.1	$16,281	$1,977	$14,304
Berwick Area Middle School	Public	5-8	1100 Evergreen Drive	Berwick	18603	Luzerne County	Berwick Area School District	No	No	No	No	(570) 759-6400	837	66	12.7	104.3%	664 (79.3%)	30 (3.6%)	119 (14.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.6%)	55.2	382^nd of 873 public middle schools	56.2%		55.4	412^th of 891 public middle schools	53.8%	30	37.5	42.8	26.6	27.1	33.6	36.7	48.2	41.3	54.8	45.0	$20,847	$2,159	$18,689
Milton Area Middle School	Public	6-8	700 Mahoning St	Milton	17847	Northumberland County	Milton Area School District	No	No	No	Yes	(570) 742-7614	445	36	12.2	56.0%	351 (78.9%)	11 (2.5%)	44 (9.9%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.6%)	69.3	231^st of 873 public middle schools	73.5%		67.2	284^th of 891 public middle schools	68.1%	53		39.0	36.6	39.5	38.4		56.0	57.2	55.4	56.2	$19,525	$551	$18,974

Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Columbia Middle School

How many students attend Southern Columbia Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 367 students attended Southern Columbia Middle School.

What district is Southern Columbia Middle School in?

Southern Columbia Area School District

What high school do graduates of Southern Columbia Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southern Columbia Middle School usually go on to attend Southern Columbia High School

What is the racial makeup of Southern Columbia Middle School?

Students at Southern Columbia Middle School are 95% White, 2% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Is Southern Columbia Middle School a good school?

Southern Columbia Middle School ranks 102^nd of 873 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Southern Columbia Middle School!

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Schools in Catawissa, PA

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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.