Skip to main content

Very Good

#942 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 33% in state

Central Dauphin Shs

High School · Central Dauphin SD

437 Piketown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112

Enrollment

1,998

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#942 of 2,846

In Harrisburg

#5 of 40

public schools

In district

#2 of 19

Central Dauphin SD

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Central Dauphin Shs?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Central Dauphin Shs

7.2/10

High School in Harrisburg · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Linglestown EL Sch

7.3/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Paxtonia EL Sch

6.9/10

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Dauphin Shs

Central Dauphin Shs is a public high school in Harrisburg, PA, part of Central Dauphin SD. Central Dauphin Shs serves approximately 1,998 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Dauphin Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #942 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Dauphin Shs show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.3
  • PA avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness9.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation38.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,486
Chronic Absenteeism25.2%

Central Dauphin Shs — Students at Central Dauphin Shs score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 71.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 70.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
80%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
43.9%
ELA
72.7%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Central Dauphin Shs Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in PA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
24
11 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
124 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
38.4% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
11 boys'·13 girls'·41 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

437 Piketown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Dauphin Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dauphin County Technical School (rated 7.1/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 5.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Central Dauphin East SHS (rated 5.5/10, 5.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Linglestown El Sch Harrisburg 2.0 mi 7.3
Paxtonia El Sch Harrisburg 2.4 mi 6.9
EAST SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.4 mi
Linglestown MS Harrisburg 2.0 mi 4.9
West Hanover El Sch Harrisburg 2.1 mi 7.1
FOLLOW ME CHRISTIAN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Harrisburg 2.6 mi 4.3
HARRISBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.4 mi 7.8
Mountain View El Sch Harrisburg 2.9 mi 6.9
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg 4.1 mi 7.1
Infinity CS Harrisburg 4.4 mi 7.3
North Side El Sch Harrisburg 4.2 mi 5.8
Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg 4.8 mi 4.8
Phillips El Sch Harrisburg 4.7 mi 4.5
Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg 4.7 mi 5.3
Central Dauphin East SHS Harrisburg 5.0 mi 5.5
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg 5.5 mi 6.7
Rutherford El Sch Harrisburg 5.8 mi 5.8
South Side El Sch Harrisburg 5.5 mi 4.2
East Hanover El Sch Grantville 4.5 mi 6.1
NEW STORY SCHOOL Harrisburg 5.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,784

Median Home Value

$290,400

Median Rent

$1,400/mo

Population

38,970

College Educated

43.6%

Homeownership

83.8%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin Towne CHS Philadelphia, PA 7.2
McCaskey Campus Lancaster, PA 7.2
McDowell HS Erie, PA 7.2
Souderton Area HS Souderton, PA 7.2
Stroudsburg HS Stroudsburg, PA 7.2
Bethel Park HS Bethel Park, PA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Dauphin Shs

What grades does Central Dauphin Shs serve?

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

How many students attend Central Dauphin Shs?

Central Dauphin Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,998 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Dauphin Shs is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Dauphin Shs rank in PA?

Central Dauphin Shs ranks #942 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Central Dauphin Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Dauphin Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Dauphin Shs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Dauphin Shs has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Central Dauphin Shs a charter school?

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

Is Central Dauphin Shs a Title I school?

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

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

35.9% of students at Central Dauphin 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,998
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
124
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.2%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

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

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 rate

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.