Very Good
#780 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 27% in state
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs
High School · Capital Area School for the Arts CS
150 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#4 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#96 of 641
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Capital Area School for the Arts Cs
Capital Area School for the Arts CS stands out as an exceptional charter high school serving grades 9-12 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With just 168 students and a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio, this intimate learning environment allows for personalized attention from its 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates remarkable academic excellence, earning a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 57th out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide.
Students consistently perform well on state assessments, with 85% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 67% reach proficiency in Mathematics. This specialized arts-focused charter school provides students with a unique educational experience that balances rigorous academics with creative expression. The small school community fosters close relationships between students and faculty, creating an environment where individual talents can flourish.
Located at 150 Strawberry Square in Harrisburg's 17101 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse community where 36% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income is $58,222. The school's downtown Harrisburg location in Dauphin County places students at the heart of Pennsylvania's capital city, offering rich cultural and educational opportunities within this small city setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 168 students, Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Capital Area School for the Arts Cs — Students at Capital Area School for the Arts Cs score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Capital Area School for the Arts Cs Compares
See how Capital Area School for the Arts Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 74.5% (2019) to 74.5% (2021).
Location
150 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Capital Area School for the Arts Cs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Premier Arts and Science CS (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pennsylvania STEAM Academy CS Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Downey Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | — |
| Cougar Academy Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| THE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Foose Sch Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Rowland Academy Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Washington Heights El Sch Lemoyne | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Scott Sch Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Melrose Sch Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | — |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL New Cumberland | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,100
Median Rent
$984/mo
Population
2,678
College Educated
45.8%
Homeownership
1.1%
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Capital Area School for the Arts Cs has a median household income of $70,100. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BLUE MOUNTAIN ACADEMY Hamburg, PA | 7.3 |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA | 7.3 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights, PA | 7.3 |
| THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY Pittsburgh, PA | 7.4 |
| ACADEMY OF THE NEW CHURCH BOYS SCHOOL Bryn Athyn, PA | 7.1 |
| Dr Robert Ketterer CS Inc Latrobe, PA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Capital Area School for the Arts Cs
What grades does Capital Area School for the Arts Cs serve?
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Capital Area School for the Arts Cs?
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Capital Area School for the Arts Cs?
The student-teacher ratio at Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Capital Area School for the Arts Cs rank in PA?
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is ranked #780 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Capital Area School for the Arts Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Capital Area School for the Arts Cs has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Capital Area School for the Arts Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capital Area School for the Arts Cs has 71.9% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Capital Area School for the Arts Cs a charter school?
Yes, Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Capital Area School for the Arts Cs a Title I school?
No, Capital Area School for the Arts Cs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Capital Area School for the Arts Cs?
6.5% of students at Capital Area School for the Arts Cs qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 93 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 51 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 63 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,761/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 168
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 732-8450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Capital Area School for the Arts CS- District Enrollment
- 168
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,113
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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