The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Smith Ms
Smith MS serves sixth through eighth grade in Quarryville, a small Lancaster County borough anchored by farmland, family-owned businesses, and seasonal civic events like the Solanco Fair. The school sits on a separate campus outside the downtown grid, part of the Solanco School District, which also serves New Providence and Christiana.
The school enrolls a mid-sized cohort typical for its grade band. Close to half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic students and students of other backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
State assessment results show uneven performance. On the most recent mathematics assessment for grades three through eight, students at the school achieved proficiency at a rate that falls in the bottom quartile among Lancaster County districts. English language arts results were somewhat stronger but still below the county median. Science proficiency from 2022-23 showed a roughly even split between proficient and below-proficient students. When averaged across tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile of its county's districts. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand where support is concentrated and what progress is being tracked within classrooms.
The Solanco district is investing in its buildings and security infrastructure, using recent surplus dollars for HVAC upgrades at the elementary level and roof work, with broader facility and technology improvements underway. The district approved its maximum allowable property tax increase for 2025-26, signaling ongoing budget pressure that families should factor into housing affordability calculations. At the high school level, the district has expanded dual-enrollment options with a local university and added advanced-placement and elective courses, though these pathways lie ahead for current middle schoolers.
Housing in the Quarryville area is moderately priced relative to state and national benchmarks, with new subdivisions under development on the borough's edges and a median property value slightly above the state average. Renting costs less per month than mortgaging. The area is rural and car-dependent outside the small downtown core, though the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail offers an off-road walking route with access points near shops and restaurants. Most employment is in health care, retail, and manufacturing, with local anchors including the Presbyterian retirement community and school district itself.
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