Skip to main content

Average

#2053 of 2,842 schools in PA

Central Dauphin East Shs

High School · Central Dauphin SD

626 Rutherford Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109

Enrollment

1,596

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#19 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#439 of 641

In district

#14 of 19

Central Dauphin SD

About Central Dauphin East Shs

Central Dauphin East SHS serves 1,596 students in grades 9-12 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, operating as a regular public high school with 107 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. The school currently has room for academic growth, ranking #2091 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. Academic performance shows mixed results, with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading across grade levels, while mathematics presents greater challenges with 22% of students meeting proficiency standards.

The school's academic focus appears to be on supporting student development across these core subject areas. Central Dauphin East SHS draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $68,496 and median home value reaches $184,300. The surrounding ZIP code of 17109 is home to 26,531 residents, with 28% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 11.3%, reflecting a mixed socioeconomic population.

Located at 626 Rutherford Road in Dauphin County, the school sits within a large suburban setting that provides students with the benefits of both community connection and access to broader metropolitan resources in the greater Harrisburg area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Math vs. State Avg+8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-49 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,252

Central Dauphin East Shs — Students at Central Dauphin East Shs score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.2%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 38.9%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
40%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
21.5%
ELA
49.6%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Central Dauphin East Shs Compares

See how Central Dauphin East Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in PA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
107 teachers

Location

626 Rutherford Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Dauphin East Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dauphin County Technical School (rated 5.4/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg 0.3 mi 5.8
Phillips El Sch Harrisburg 0.5 mi 4.6
South Side El Sch Harrisburg 0.5 mi 5.2
Infinity CS Harrisburg 0.6 mi 7.6
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.6
Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg 0.8 mi 5.9
Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg 1.2 mi 3.5
MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg 1.1 mi
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg 1.2 mi 5.4
Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg 1.7 mi 4.9
North Side El Sch Harrisburg 1.8 mi 7.0
THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.8 mi 7.3
ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.0 mi 7.3
Rutherford El Sch Harrisburg 1.9 mi 6.1
Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg 1.8 mi 3.8
Chambers Hill El Sch Harrisburg 2.3 mi 5.9
FOLLOW ME CHRISTIAN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Harrisburg 2.5 mi 4.3
Paxtang El Sch Harrisburg 2.3 mi 7.2
Mountain View El Sch Harrisburg 2.7 mi 5.9
Paxtonia El Sch Harrisburg 2.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,618

Median Home Value

$203,200

Median Rent

$1,234/mo

Population

27,422

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

52.8%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Dauphin East Shs has a median household income of $70,618. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,200, with a median rent of $1,234/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg, PA 5.4
Penn Manor HS Millersville, PA 5.4
Ridley HS Folsom, PA 5.4
Spring Grove Area HS Spring Grove, PA 5.4
Central Mountain HS Mill Hall, PA 5.5
Coatesville Area SHS Coatesville, PA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Dauphin East Shs

What grades does Central Dauphin East Shs serve?

Central Dauphin East Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Dauphin East Shs?

Central Dauphin East Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,596 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Dauphin East Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Dauphin East Shs is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Dauphin East Shs rank in PA?

Central Dauphin East Shs is ranked #2053 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Central Dauphin East Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Dauphin East Shs has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Central Dauphin East Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Dauphin East Shs has 37.2% math proficiency and 38.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Dauphin East Shs a charter school?

No, Central Dauphin East Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Dauphin East Shs a Title I school?

No, Central Dauphin East Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Dauphin East Shs?

100.1% of students at Central Dauphin East Shs qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,596
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
107
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Dauphin SD
District Enrollment
12,543
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,486
District Rank
#14 of 19

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.