The top reported proficiency rate is 80% in Science. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Newport Ms
Newport MS serves grades six through eight in a small, tight-knit borough along the Juniata River about a half-hour northwest of Harrisburg. The school sits at the edge of Newport, a historic town of modest size with a walkable downtown square and dense late-19th-century housing, and most families either live within the borough itself or in the surrounding townships. The middle school enrollment is small, with roughly equal numbers in sixth and seventh grades and somewhat fewer in eighth grade.
The school's academic profile is mixed. Science proficiency is a clear strength, with students demonstrating solid competency on state assessments. English language arts proficiency sits at the lower end of the range, meaning fewer than half of tested students meet state standards. Math proficiency is markedly low, well below state expectations, and a parent may want to look into this directly with the school to understand what support structures are in place and what changes are planned. When proficiency across tested subjects is averaged, Newport MS lands in the upper range among the five Perry County districts—a position driven largely by the science results—but the gap between math and science performance is real and worth understanding before enrolling.
The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the borough's composition. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic need is present in the catchment area. The school does not report special-education enrollment figures or English learner counts in available data, so a family with a student in either of those categories should ask the school directly about services and capacity.
Newport is not a growth community. Population has remained essentially flat to slightly declining, and the housing stock is dominated by historic properties. The median home value is notably below the state average, making the area relatively affordable for families seeking to buy. However, Perry County implemented its first countywide property reassessment since the 1980s, with new valuations effective for the 2026 tax year and school taxes adjusted accordingly. For a household buying now or already living in the district, school tax bills may rise, fall, or hold steady depending on how the property's new assessment compares to the county average—a significant consideration that warrants a conversation with a tax assessor or the school district before finalizing a move.
The community itself is quiet and rooted. Civic life centers on the downtown square with its historic district, small businesses, and the public library; Little Buffalo State Park sits just outside town. Most residents commute to Harrisburg or nearby employment centers; car travel is standard. The school building is on a separate campus at the town's edge rather than within the walkable downtown, so daily school life sits a bit apart from the borough's civic core. This middle school feeds into Newport High School, also part of the Newport School District.
For a family drawn to a small-town, affordable setting with direct community ties and accepting of modest test results in math, Newport MS is a straightforward fit. For families prioritizing strong math instruction or seeking more specialized academic programs, the profile warrants closer conversation with the school about how the math curriculum is structured and what additional support is available.
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