Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 19604

The 19604 zip code in Pennsylvania is home to two middle schools, Central Middle School and Northeast Middle School, both part of the Reading School District. These schools serve a predominantly low-income student population, as evidenced by their extremely high free and reduced lunch rates.

Based on the available data, neither Central Middle School nor Northeast Middle School appear to be standout performers. Both schools have relatively low rankings within the state, with Central Middle School ranked 812 out of 873 Pennsylvania middle schools and Northeast Middle School ranked 738 out of 873 for the 2024-2025 school year. The schools' academic performance is also consistently low across various metrics, including test scores, which are significantly below the state averages in math, English language arts, and science proficiency.

Despite the high spending per student at both schools, the academic outcomes remain poor, indicating that funding alone may not be the sole factor in improving student performance. Addressing the root causes of these challenges, such as the high poverty levels and the need for targeted interventions and support, will be crucial for enhancing the educational outcomes for students in these middle schools.