Average
#1517 of 2,846 schools in PA
Cougar Academy
School · Harrisburg City SD
1601 State St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,517 of 2,846
In Harrisburg
#10 of 40
public schools
In district
#2 of 12
Harrisburg City SD
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Cougar Academy
School in Harrisburg · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Premier Arts and Science Cs
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Joshua Learning Center
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cougar Academy
Cougar Academy is a public school in Harrisburg, PA, part of Harrisburg City SD. Cougar Academy serves approximately 322 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Cougar Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,517 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Cougar Academy show 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- PA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Cougar Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
39% of students at Cougar Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View 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 30 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: 9.6/10.
How Cougar Academy Compares
See how Cougar Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.6 |
| JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.3 mi | — |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Downey Sch Harrisburg | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Rowland Academy Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | — |
| Scott Sch Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Melrose Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 2.7 |
| Foose Sch Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 3.6 |
| ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Marshall Academy Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 2.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CONESTOGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown, PA | 6.2 |
| PENN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Penns Creek, PA | 6.2 |
| JUNIATA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Alisterville, PA | 6.1 |
| MEADOWBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Milton, PA | 6.1 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg, PA | 6.4 |
| DUBOIS AREA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Du Bois, PA | 6.0 |
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 ranks #1,517 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Cougar Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cougar Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Cougar Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cougar Academy has 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.1%
- Phone
- (717) 703-4325
- 4-Year Graduation
- 50%+
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
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