Excellent
#277 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 10% in state
Cocalico MS
Middle School · Cocalico SD
South 6th Street PO Box 800, Denver, PA 17517
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#3 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#18 of 514
In district
#2 of 5
Cocalico SD
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Cocalico MS
Cocalico MS is a public middle school in Denver, PA, part of the Cocalico SD. The school serves approximately 634 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.3th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 9 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $99,688, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cocalico MS — Students at Cocalico MS score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
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
→ 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: 9.3/10.
How Cocalico MS Compares
See how Cocalico MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 52.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 61% (2024).
Location
South 6th Street PO Box 800, Denver, PA 17517
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cocalico MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ephrata MS (rated 6.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Ephrata), a more accessible option. Another option is Ephrata Intermediate Sch (rated 6.0/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Ephrata), a more accessible option. Additionally, WOOD CREST PAROCHIAL SCHOOL (rated 3.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Ephrata), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Denver El Sch Denver | 0.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Cocalico SHS Denver | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Reamstown El Sch Reamstown | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| SPRINGVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ephrata | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| WOOD CREST PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Ephrata | 3.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Highland El Sch Ephrata | 3.6 mi | 8.5 |
| OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ephrata | 3.7 mi | — |
| Fulton El Sch Ephrata | 4.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Ephrata MS Ephrata | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Ephrata SHS Ephrata | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| PLEASANT VALLEY MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| GRACE POINT ACADEMY Ephrata | 4.0 mi | — |
| PLEASANT VALLEY PAROCH SCHOOL Ephrata | 5.4 mi | — |
| GEHMANS MENNONITE SCHOOL Denver | 4.4 mi | 5.7 |
| CONESTOGA VIEW SCHOOL Ephrata | 5.8 mi | — |
| Adamstown El Sch Adamstown | 4.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Clay El Sch Ephrata | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Akron El Sch Akron | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17517 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,688
Median Home Value
$281,200
Median Rent
$1,229/mo
Population
15,045
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cocalico MS has a median household income of $99,688. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $281,200, with a median rent of $1,229/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mount Nittany MS State College, PA | 8.3 |
| Moon Area Lower MS Moon Township, PA | 8.4 |
| Strath Haven MS Wallingford, PA | 8.4 |
| Wattsburg Area MS Erie, PA | 8.4 |
| Mifflinburg Area MS Mifflinburg, PA | 8.2 |
| Park Forest MS State College, PA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cocalico MS
What grades does Cocalico MS serve?
Cocalico MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cocalico MS?
Cocalico MS has an enrollment of approximately 634 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cocalico MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Cocalico MS is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cocalico MS rank in PA?
Cocalico MS is ranked #277 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Cocalico MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Cocalico MS has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Cocalico MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cocalico MS has 47.7% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cocalico MS a charter school?
No, Cocalico MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cocalico MS a Title I school?
No, Cocalico MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cocalico MS?
43.4% of students at Cocalico 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 634
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (717) 336-1471
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cocalico SD- District Enrollment
- 2,898
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,127
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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