The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in Science. The lowest is 57% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Southern Lehigh Ms
Southern Lehigh Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in Center Valley, an upscale suburban community in the Lehigh Valley. The school sits on Preston Lane in an institutional cluster adjacent to Upper Saucon Township Community Park and the public library, rather than along a main commercial street. It is a regular public school within Southern Lehigh School District.
On state testing, the school's results show a split profile. English language arts proficiency is the stronger area, while math proficiency is lower. Science proficiency, as measured most recently, was notably strong. Across the tested subjects and grades reported, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Lehigh County.
The student body is small and has narrow demographics. The large majority of students are White. A small share qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available. The enrollment is evenly split between seventh and eighth grade.
Center Valley itself is car-dependent suburban development along two state routes, though concentrated walkability exists within the nearby Stabler Pathways mixed-use campus, where Penn State Lehigh Valley, corporate offices, and the Promenade Saucon Valley shopping center sit. The area is economically affluent: home values are well above state and national medians, and the median household income is above the national average. The locality has no traditional downtown but functions as a residential and educational hub within the larger Lehigh Valley metro, roughly a short drive south of Allentown.
The district is undergoing curriculum changes relevant to families. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the district is replacing half-day kindergarten with full-day kindergarten, which marks a significant change for families with young children. The district has also adopted a new K-12 English language arts curriculum centered on the science of reading, which is being phased in across grades seven through twelve.
On the property tax front, Southern Lehigh has held tax increases well below the state's Act 1 Index average over recent years. The school board approved a modest tax increase for fiscal 2026 as part of its annual budget, and the district's millage rate is publicly reported as the lowest in the Lehigh Valley.
Average scale scores for science and proficient student counts for both math and English language arts were reported, and tested enrollment numbers are available in the data section. Participation rates and trend data were not available. Special population enrollment counts and rates are not included in the available data.
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