The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Science. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Charleroi Area Ms
Charleroi Area MS is a middle school serving grades six through eight in a small borough along the Monongahela River in Washington County. The school enrolls a small population, drawn from a community experiencing both decline and signs of revitalization. About half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment reflects a steep demographic shift driven by Haitian immigration and other newcomers to the borough in recent years.
On state assessments, the school's academic results are below the midpoint among Washington County districts. In English language arts, proficiency sits in the lower half. Mathematics proficiency is substantially low. Science performance, last measured a year ago, was closer to a midpoint. The overall proficiency index places this school in the bottom quartile of county schools. A parent examining these numbers should understand that the results reflect, in part, the rapid influx of English-language learners: the district's ELL enrollment grew from a handful of students several years ago to a substantial cohort by 2024-25, the largest in its county region, arriving mostly since 2021. The district has added ESL teachers and support staff to meet that demand, and classroom composition has fundamentally changed. Whether a child is in a classroom with significant numbers of students new to English, and how that affects teaching and learning, is something a parent may want to explore directly with the school.
Charleroi itself sits on the edge of industrial and civic revival. Once dubbed the "Magic City" and a regional shopping hub, the borough declined for decades with manufacturing job losses. In recent years, Haitian and other immigrant families have opened businesses and stabilized storefronts. A major glass plant that had anchored the area closed in spring 2025, but a buyer was reported in mid-2025 to be planning to reopen it as an industrial facility. A nearby electrical switchgear plant announced a substantial expansion. The borough's downtown retains a walkable Main Street character along McKean Avenue, and civic anchors include Trustees Park along the river and the Market House pavilion. The Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority runs commuter service to Pittsburgh and local routes.
Housing values in the zipcode are below both the Pennsylvania and national benchmarks, and property is relatively affordable, but the school district's property taxes have risen for four consecutive years. Families considering a home purchase should factor those ongoing increases into their calculations.
The school's data on special populations, staff, attendance, and discipline was not available. The comparison to other county schools reflects overall proficiency across tested grades and subjects. A parent interested in this school should seek direct conversation with administrators about classroom support for English learners, academic interventions for students below proficiency, and how the school's peer environment and instructional approach fit their child's needs.
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