James Buchanan MS

Tuscarora SD
5191 Fort Loudon Rd
Mercersburg, PA 17236
535 Students
Middle School 6th - 8th
School Overview
James Buchanan Middle School is located in the rural community of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and serves as a key educational institution within the Tuscarora School District. The school provides a traditional middle school environment focused on the academic, social, and emotional development of students in grades 6 through 8. As part of a smaller school district, it emphasizes a tight-knit community atmosphere where faculty and staff aim to provide personalized attention to help students transition from elementary school to the more rigorous expectations of high school.

The school’s curriculum is designed to meet state standards while offering a variety of extracurricular opportunities, including athletics, music programs, and student clubs, which allow students to explore their interests beyond the classroom. By leveraging its location in the Cumberland Valley, the school fosters a sense of local pride and community engagement. Overall, James Buchanan Middle School is committed to preparing its students for future academic success by balancing foundational learning with activities that promote character development and social responsibility.
535
Total Students
41.5
Full-Time Teachers
12.9
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    488 (91.2%)
  • Hispanic
    19 (3.6%)
  • Two or More
    17 (3.2%)
  • Black
    6 (1.1%)
  • Asian
    4 (0.7%)
  • Pacific Islander
    1 (0.2%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Middle School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: Tuscarora SD
Phone: (717)328-5221
Grade Range: 6th - 8th
Total Students: 535
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 41.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.9
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Grade 6 159
Grade 7 183
Grade 8 193
Gender Ratio
Nearby Middle Schools (Within 10 Miles)
McConnellsburg MS
Central Fulton SD
213 Students
151 East Cherry Street
McConnellsburg, PA 17233 (7.7 miles away)
Middle School 6th - 8th