Best Schools in York, Pennsylvania
54 schools · 31 Elementary · 6 Middle · 6 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in York?
Use this page to compare every school in York 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.
East York EL Sch
Elementary · York Suburban Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hayshire EL Sch
Elementary · Central York Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sinking Springs EL Sch
Middle · Central York Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in York for 2026 are East York EL Sch (8.2/10), Hayshire EL Sch (7.9/10), and Sinking Springs EL Sch (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 35 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
54
39 public · 15 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$195,567
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Schools
54
39 public · 15 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$195,567
home value · ACS
Districts
12
serving the city
Rates 7.9/10 despite 66% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among York schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +19.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among York schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in York
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 35 rated schools; 54 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East York EL Sch | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Hayshire EL Sch | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Sinking Springs EL Sch | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Indian Rock EL Sch | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Central York HS | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Trimmer EL Sch | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Central York MS | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | York Twp EL Sch | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | York County School of Technology | 7.1 / 10 |
| 10 | York Suburban Shs | 7.0 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $73,174
- Median home value
- $195,567
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How York compares
Pennsylvania rank
#237 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
92% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
52
12 districts draw attendance lines through York
York is not one school system. 12 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 23% of the public campuses.
York City SD is the largest slice at 9 of 39 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a York address is choosing a district first.
Among 35 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 8.2 — the spread is inside York, not a citywide average.
- York City SD9 public · 23%
- Central York SD7 public · 18%
- York Suburban SD6 public · 15%
- Dallastown Area SD5 public · 13%
- West York Area SD5 public · 13%
About Schools in York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania has 39 ranked public schools with an average score of 6.5 out of 10. That average sits in the moderate range, but the spread matters: 14 schools — 36% of the total — score 7 or higher, signaling a meaningful tier of strong performers within the city. Parents should not treat York's schools as uniform. Where you live, and which district boundary you fall within, makes a real difference in the options available to your child.
Elementary performance stands out at the top of the rankings. Loganville-Springfield Elementary leads all 39 ranked public schools with a score of 8.4, the highest in the city. Lincolnway Elementary (8.3), Roundtown Elementary (8.2), Stony Brook Elementary (8.1), and Trimmer Elementary (8.0) round out the top five — all elementary schools, all clustered within a tight scoring band. That concentration of high-performing elementary programs is a practical signal for families with younger children: the strongest options are at the primary level, and several of them score well above the city average of 6.5.
For parents comparing schools across the city, a few takeaways are worth keeping in mind. First, check district boundaries carefully — York spans multiple districts, and the top-ranked schools draw from specific attendance zones. Second, the gap between the city average (6.5) and the top school (8.4) is nearly two full points, which means school selection carries real weight here. Third, with 36% of schools scoring 7 or above, there are genuinely strong options distributed across the area, not just one or two outliers pulling up the average.
Families relocating to York or weighing neighborhood decisions should use school scores as one lens alongside commute, housing costs, and available programs. The elementary tier in particular offers competitive choices, and parents who prioritize academic performance have multiple 8-plus-rated schools to consider. Start with the attendance zone tool on MySchoolScout to see exactly which schools serve your address before narrowing your list.
Elementary Schools
31 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 322 students · 3rd–5th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 523 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.9 |
| 3 | 326 students · 3rd–5th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 430 students · 2nd–5th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 430 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 7.1 |
| 6 | 312 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 6.7 |
| 7 | 558 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.6 |
| 8 | 574 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 6.4 |
| 9 | 338 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 6.4 |
| 10 | 567 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.1 |
Show all 31 elementary schools in York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 623 students · 4th–6th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 859 students · 7th–8th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 646 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
| 4 | 743 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 5 | 628 students · 4th–6th | 6.0 |
| 6 | 1,488 students · 4th–6th | 5.7 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,800 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 1,621 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 863 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 860 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 5 | 1,611 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 |
| 6 | 72 students · 12th–12th | 4.1 |
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,009 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools10 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Logos AcademyPrivate 201 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 48 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 43 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | York Country Day SchoolPrivate 318 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | High Road School of YorkPrivate 47 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | 113 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Grace AcademyPrivate 84 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 32 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | Christian School of YorkPrivate 388 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 other schools in York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in York
York, Pennsylvania · 54 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,174
Median Home Value
$195,567
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
Population
183,272
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Community Profile
York has a median household income of $73,174. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,567, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 31
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 6
- Other
- 11
Resources
School Districts (12)
Crispus Attucks CS
1 school · 72 students
Lincoln CS
1 school · 610 students
York Academy Regional CS
1 school · 1,009 students
Central York SD
7 schools · 5,554 students
Dallastown Area SD
8 schools · 6,370 students
Northeastern York SD
8 schools · 3,884 students
Red Lion Area SD
8 schools · 4,767 students
Spring Grove Area SD
6 schools · 3,930 students
West York Area SD
5 schools · 2,774 students
York County School of Technology
1 school · 1,621 students
York City SD
9 schools · 6,232 students
York Suburban SD
6 schools · 2,977 students
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 York, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in York, Pennsylvania?
York has 54 schools, including 39 public and 15 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in York, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in York is 6.2 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 York, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in York on MySchoolScout is East York EL Sch with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in York, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in York on MySchoolScout is East York EL Sch with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in York, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in York on MySchoolScout is Sinking Springs EL Sch with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in York, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in York on MySchoolScout is Central York HS with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve York, Pennsylvania?
York is served by 12 school districts: Crispus Attucks Cs, Lincoln Cs, York Academy Regional Cs, Central York Sd, Dallastown Area Sd, Northeastern York Sd, Red Lion Area Sd, Spring Grove Area Sd, West York Area Sd, York County School of Technology, York City Sd, York Suburban Sd.
What is the education level in York, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in York have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in York, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in York is approximately $73,174 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in York, Pennsylvania?
Yes, York has 15 private schools alongside 39 public schools. The top-rated private school is Holy Trinity Catholic School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in York, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in York is 12.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in York, 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.