Average
#1928 of 2,842 schools in PA
Central Dauphin Shs
High School · Central Dauphin SD
437 Piketown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Enrollment
1,998
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,998
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#17 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#397 of 641
In district
#13 of 19
Central Dauphin SD
About Central Dauphin Shs
Central Dauphin SHS serves 1,998 students in grades 9-12 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger high schools in the region. With 124 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for reasonably sized classes across its comprehensive curriculum. Academically, Central Dauphin SHS earns a 6.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 58th percentile statewide at #1209 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools.
The school shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 73% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 44% of students currently meet or exceed proficiency standards. The school draws from a well-established suburban community where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education.
The surrounding ZIP code 17112 reflects economic stability with a median household income of $97,301 and median home values of $275,400. Nearly half of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at just 3.3%. Central Dauphin SHS sits at 437 Piketown Road in a large suburban setting that provides students with both community connections and access to the broader opportunities of the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Dauphin Shs — Students at Central Dauphin Shs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 3.1/10.
How Central Dauphin Shs Compares
See how Central Dauphin Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2019) to 71% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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. BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dauphin County Technical School (rated 5.4/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central Dauphin East SHS (rated 5.4/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.9 |
| Paxtonia El Sch Harrisburg | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| EAST SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.4 mi | — |
| Linglestown MS Harrisburg | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| West Hanover El Sch Harrisburg | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Infinity CS Harrisburg | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| North Side El Sch Harrisburg | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Phillips El Sch Harrisburg | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Dauphin East SHS Harrisburg | 5.0 mi | 5.4 |
| BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Rutherford El Sch Harrisburg | 5.8 mi | 6.1 |
| South Side El Sch Harrisburg | 5.5 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Dauphin Shs has a median household income of $101,784. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,400, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| North Hills HS Pittsburgh, PA | 5.6 |
| Quakertown Community HS Quakertown, PA | 5.6 |
| Coatesville Area SHS Coatesville, PA | 5.5 |
| Manheim Twp HS Lancaster, PA | 5.7 |
| Pennridge HS Perkasie, PA | 5.7 |
| West Scranton HS Scranton, PA | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #1928 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Central Dauphin Shs's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Dauphin Shs has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Shs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Dauphin Shs has 62.6% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (717) 703-5360
- 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
- #13 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
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.