Average
#1720 of 2,842 schools in PA
Central Dauphin MS
Middle School · Central Dauphin SD
4600 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Enrollment
855
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
855
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#12 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#299 of 514
In district
#9 of 19
Central Dauphin SD
About Central Dauphin MS
Central Dauphin MS serves grades six through eight in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with an enrollment of 855 students. Located at 4600 Locust Lane in a large suburban setting, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5 to 1, supported by 59 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is working to strengthen its academic performance across core subjects.
In English language arts and reading, 67 percent of students score at or above proficient levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, with 37 percent of students reaching proficiency. These results place Central Dauphin MS at the 51st percentile among Pennsylvania schools, reflecting a middle-range performance profile statewide.
The school's MySchoolScout academic score of 5.9 out of 10 indicates a middle school focused on continued development and improvement in student achievement. With a manageable class-to-teacher ratio, the school has the infrastructure to support individualized instruction and targeted academic support for students. Central Dauphin MS is situated in Harrisburg's suburban community, serving families throughout the greater area who are looking for a public middle school option with accessible resources and a focus on foundational academics during the critical middle grades years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Central Dauphin MS — Students at Central Dauphin MS score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Central Dauphin MS Compares
See how Central Dauphin MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 37.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 66.1% (2024).
Location
4600 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Dauphin MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Dauphin East MS (rated 5.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Susquehanna Twp MS (rated 3.8/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips El Sch Harrisburg | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Infinity CS Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Central Dauphin East SHS Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| North Side El Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| South Side El Sch Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | — |
| Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Mountain View El Sch Harrisburg | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Susquehanna Twp HS Harrisburg | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| FOLLOW ME CHRISTIAN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Harrisburg | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| HARRISBURG ADVENTIST SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sara Lindemuth El Sch Harrisburg | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
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 MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Dallastown Area MS Dallastown, PA | 5.9 |
| Ehrman Crest MS Cranberry Township, PA | 5.9 |
| Kennett Middle School Landenberg, PA | 5.9 |
| Pottsgrove MS Pottstown, PA | 5.9 |
| Reiffton Sch Reading, PA | 5.9 |
| Conewago Valley Intrmd Sch New Oxford, PA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Dauphin MS
What grades does Central Dauphin MS serve?
Central Dauphin MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Dauphin MS?
Central Dauphin MS has an enrollment of approximately 855 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Dauphin MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Dauphin MS is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Dauphin MS rank in PA?
Central Dauphin MS is ranked #1720 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Central Dauphin MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Dauphin MS has a composite rating of 5.9 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Dauphin MS has 37.1% math proficiency and 67.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Dauphin MS a charter school?
No, Central Dauphin MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Dauphin MS a Title I school?
No, Central Dauphin MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Dauphin MS?
35.8% of students at Central Dauphin MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,761/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 855
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 540-4606
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Dauphin SD- District Enrollment
- 12,543
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,486
- District Rank
- #9 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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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