Best Schools in Hershey, Pennsylvania
11 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Hershey?
Use this page to compare every school in Hershey 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.
South Hanover EL Sch
Elementary · Lower Dauphin Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hershey Intrmd EL Sch
Elementary · Derry Township Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hershey Primary EL Sch
Elementary · Derry Township Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hershey for 2026 are South Hanover EL Sch (9.0/10), Hershey Intrmd EL Sch (8.6/10), and Hershey Primary EL Sch (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$340,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$340,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Hershey schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Hershey
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Hanover EL Sch | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Hershey Intrmd EL Sch | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Hershey Primary EL Sch | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Hershey HS | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Hershey MS | 8.2 / 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
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $75,093
- Median home value
- $340,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hershey compares
Pennsylvania rank
#10 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.8
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$75k
95% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
9
Derry Township SD runs 83% of Hershey's public schools
Hershey touches 2 districts, but Derry Township SD is the one most addresses actually attend.
Derry Township SD accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 8.2 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Hershey, not a citywide average.
- Derry Township SD5 public · 83%
- Lower Dauphin SD1 public · 17%
About Schools in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania is home to 11 schools, including 6 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Hershey perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Hershey is South Hanover EL Sch with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hershey is served by 2 school districts: Derry Township SD, Lower Dauphin SD. These districts collectively serve 6,597 students.
Hershey's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $75,093. The poverty rate in the area is 11.3%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 372 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 467 students · 4th–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 444 students · 2nd–3rd | 8.3 | ||
| 4 | 407 students · Kindergarten–1st | 7.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tender YearsPrivate 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 741 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Bellaire Ridge SchoolPrivate 18 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,079 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hershey Christian AcademyPrivate 89 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Hershey Christian AcademyPrivate 86 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | Milton Hershey SchoolPrivate 1,951 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$75,093
Median Home Value
$340,900
Median Rent
$1,311/mo
Population
17,009
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Community Profile
Hershey has a median household income of $75,093. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,900, with a median rent of $1,311/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 Hershey, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Hershey has 11 schools, including 6 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hershey is 8.1 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 Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Hershey on MySchoolScout is South Hanover EL Sch with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hershey on MySchoolScout is South Hanover EL Sch with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Hershey on MySchoolScout is Hershey MS with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Hershey on MySchoolScout is Hershey HS with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Hershey is served by 2 school districts: Derry Township Sd, Lower Dauphin Sd.
What is the education level in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Hershey have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Hershey is approximately $75,093 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Hershey has 5 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hershey Christian Academy with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hershey is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hershey, 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.