The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Shikellamy Ms
Shikellamy MS is a three-grade middle school serving sixth through eighth grade in Northumberland, a compact historic borough along the Susquehanna River that functions partly as a commuter hub for nearby Lewisburg and Sunbury. The school enrolls a moderate-sized student body drawn equally across its three grades, with a student body that is predominantly white and includes a meaningful share of Hispanic students as well as smaller populations of Black and multiracial students. The school reports a rate of free or reduced price lunch eligibility that exceeds one hundred percent, reflecting a data collection nuance common in schools where some students qualify under multiple programs; this indicates substantial economic pressure on many families the school serves.
On state assessments, Shikellamy MS shows a split picture. In English language arts, proficiency falls below the halfway mark. Math proficiency is notably lower, running well below half the student body. Science results from the most recent available year are stronger, with just over half the students reaching proficiency. Across the three tested areas, the school's overall proficiency sits above the midpoint among the eight districts in Northumberland County, which provides some context: Shikellamy is doing better than some county neighbors but faces real challenges in bringing more students to grade-level mastery, particularly in mathematics and ELA. A parent evaluating this school should recognize that these are foundational skills where the data shows many students are not yet meeting standard, which raises the question of what support and intervention the school offers to students who test below proficiency.
Northumberland itself is a town of substantial character and stability. Its 19th-century core remains largely intact, with historic homes and a functioning downtown centered on the Priestley-Forsyth Library, parks, shops, and local restaurants. The town is walkable by design, with sidewalks and a grid layout, though like most rural Pennsylvania towns it has no public transit and residents rely on cars for work and longer trips. Civic anchors include the Joseph Priestley House, a National Historic Landmark, and Pineknotter Park along the river, site of summer music and annual festivals. Growth is minimal: the population has remained essentially flat for decades, and new housing development is sparse. Flood risk in parts of town further constrains new building. This is a stable, historic, and modestly prosperous community rather than a booming one.
The broader Shikellamy School District, which includes Northumberland and Sunbury, made two significant changes recently that affect family finances and curriculum. In 2024, the district shifted its tax base from an occupation tax to an earned income tax, meaning take-home pay calculations for working residents changed, particularly for families just moving in or considering the move. The district also introduced a Career Pathways Program at the high school beginning in 2024-25, offering three vocational tracks in rehabilitation aide, teaching and education, and construction trades alongside the traditional college-prep path. For families with students currently at the middle school, this signals a deliberate effort to create work-ready alternatives and respond to local labor gaps, which may be relevant if a child's strengths and interests lean toward technical training rather than a four-year university track.
On the academic side, parents considering Shikellamy MS should look directly into the school's intervention and support structures, especially in math. State testing data does not tell the full story of what happens with students who come to the school below grade level or what acceleration looks like for students already proficient. The school's special populations data is incomplete in the available records, so a parent may want to ask directly about services for students with IEPs or English learners. In broader context, this is a school embedded in a stable, river-town setting with solid community anchors, serving a district that is making deliberate choices about its pathway offerings and tax structure, but it is not a high-achievement school by the standard measures, and that distinction matters for families weighing options in a region where nearby districts offer different performance profiles.
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