Best Schools in Dover, Pennsylvania
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dover?
Use this page to compare every school in Dover by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
North Salem EL Sch
Elementary · Dover Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dover Area MS
Middle · Dover Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dover Area EL Sch
Elementary · Dover Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dover for 2026 are North Salem EL Sch (8.6/10), Dover Area MS (8.2/10), and Dover Area EL Sch (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$222,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$222,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Dover schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Dover
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Salem EL Sch | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Dover Area MS | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Dover Area EL Sch | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Weigelstown EL Sch | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Dover Area HS | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Leib EL Sch | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Lighthouse Christian School | 6.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $81,058
- Median home value
- $222,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 89%
71% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dover compares
Pennsylvania rank
#81 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$81k
102% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Dover, Pennsylvania
Dover, Pennsylvania is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Dover perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dover is North Salem EL Sch with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dover is served by 1 school district: Dover Area SD. These districts collectively serve 3,251 students.
Dover's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $81,058. The poverty rate in the area is 6.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 370 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 352 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 329 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 384 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 773 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,013 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighthouse Christian School
Private
87 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 |
Schools in Dover
Dover, Pennsylvania · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$81,058
Median Home Value
$222,400
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
26,434
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Community Profile
Dover has a median household income of $81,058. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,400, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dover, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Dover, Pennsylvania?
Dover has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dover is 7.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Dover on MySchoolScout is North Salem EL Sch with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dover on MySchoolScout is North Salem EL Sch with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Dover Area MS with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Dover on MySchoolScout is Dover Area HS with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Dover, Pennsylvania?
Dover is served by 1 school district: Dover Area Sd.
What is the education level in Dover, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Dover have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Dover is approximately $81,058 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dover, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Dover has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lighthouse Christian School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dover, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dover is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dover, Pennsylvania?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.