The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Science. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Plum Ms
Plum MS is a middle school serving grades seven and eight in the Plum Borough School District, located in Pittsburgh. The school enrolls a small student body, drawn overwhelmingly from the immediate area and predominantly white, with a quarter of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school's academic profile is mixed. In English Language Arts, Plum MS sits at a moderate proficiency level, with about half of tested students meeting or exceeding state standards. Math performance is notably weaker, with proficiency well below the reading level. Science results, from the most recent available year, were stronger. Overall, when proficiency rates are averaged across tested subjects, the school sits above the midpoint in proficiency compared to other schools in Allegheny County, though that aggregate reflects the wide gap between math and reading rather than uniform strength across the board. A parent assessing fit should look closely at what math support is available and what the school is doing to narrow that gap.
The school itself is in the midst of a major physical transformation. The Plum Borough School District is executing a roughly one-hundred-million-dollar multi-year building program that includes substantial renovations at Plum Middle School—roof replacement, new security vestibule, HVAC and electrical upgrades, and modifications to the track and field facilities. Work is scheduled to wrap by October 2026. This means the physical learning environment will be noticeably different during the next two school years, with some disruption likely balanced against the promise of modernized systems and spaces.
The district is also planning broader changes that will affect families in the school community. The board has committed to converting much of its bus fleet to electric and has approved funding for 25 electric buses. More significantly, the district is projecting annual property tax increases over the next several years to fund operations, ongoing building improvements, and a planned return of full-day kindergarten. Families weighing a move into the area should understand that homeowner tax bills will rise materially over the next few years.
The school serves a neighborhood with modest housing costs relative to regional benchmarks, though that market is slowly tightening. Home values in the area are stable, and rental options are available. The Plum area sits in a wider Pittsburgh region anchored by education and healthcare employment, with significant transit and civic infrastructure.
Plum MS is a public school with straightforward purpose and scope. It is the natural assigned middle school for its neighborhood, not a choice program or magnet. For families in the district, it represents the standard option for seventh and eighth grades during a time when the building itself is being substantially renovated and the district is planning visible shifts in operations and costs.
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