Average
#1804 of 2,842 schools in PA
Cougar Academy
School · Harrisburg City SD
1601 State St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#16 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania schools
#25 of 62
In district
#2 of 12
Harrisburg City SD
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Cougar Academy
Cougar Academy is a K-12 public school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 322 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, Cougar Academy offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. The school has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the education and well-being of each student.
Cougar Academy's academic performance is currently rated at 3.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 7th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In state assessments, 13% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, and only 5% are proficient or above in Math. These numbers indicate areas where Cougar Academy is focusing on student development and academic growth.
The school's setting in a small city offers unique opportunities for community engagement and real-world learning experiences for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Cougar Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Cougar Academy — Students at Cougar Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 20 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: 8.4/10.
How Cougar Academy Compares
See how Cougar Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 4.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 14% (2024).
Location
1601 State St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cougar Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg | 0.1 mi | 7.5 |
| JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.3 mi | — |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Downey Sch Harrisburg | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Rowland Academy Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | — |
| Scott Sch Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Melrose Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Foose Sch Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Harrisburg HS Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Marshall Academy Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,383
Median Home Value
$113,100
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
12,774
College Educated
18.4%
Homeownership
40.7%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
31.4%
Median Age
27.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cougar Academy has a median household income of $41,383. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,100, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| CALVARY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fredericktown, PA | 5.8 |
| LITITZ AREA MENNONITE SCHOOL Lititz, PA | 5.7 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Red Lion, PA | 5.7 |
| CUMBERLAND VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chambersburg, PA | 5.9 |
| DUBOIS AREA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Du Bois, PA | 6.0 |
| DUBOIS AREA CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Du Bois, PA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cougar Academy
What grades does Cougar Academy serve?
Cougar Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Cougar Academy?
Cougar Academy has an enrollment of approximately 322 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cougar Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Cougar Academy is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cougar Academy rank in PA?
Cougar Academy is ranked #1804 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Cougar Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cougar Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Cougar Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cougar Academy has 4.7% math proficiency and 13.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cougar Academy a charter school?
No, Cougar Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cougar Academy a Title I school?
No, Cougar Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cougar Academy?
100.0% of students at Cougar Academy 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
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 322
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 703-4325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harrisburg City SD- District Enrollment
- 6,395
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,239
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
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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