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Below Average

#2564 of 2,842 schools in PA

Donegal HS

High School · Donegal SD

1025 Koser Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552

Enrollment

923

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Joy

#3 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#578 of 641

In district

#3 of 4

Donegal SD

About Donegal HS

Donegal High School serves 923 students in grades 9-12 in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, offering a traditional public education with a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio and 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #1619 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 43rd percentile statewide, with room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement. Currently, 60% of students perform at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 42% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school community benefits from a stable economic foundation, with the surrounding area showing a median household income of $85,788 and a low poverty rate of just 5.3%. Median home values of $260,000 reflect the area's desirability, though with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, there's potential to further strengthen the educational culture. The school draws from a ZIP code population of nearly 20,000 residents, creating a substantial community base for student activities and support.

Donegal High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Mount Joy in Lancaster County, providing students with a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to broader regional opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Donegal HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg+20 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,968

Donegal HS — Students at Donegal HS score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.4%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
42.3%
ELA
59.6%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Donegal HS Compares

See how Donegal HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

1025 Koser Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Donegal HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE JANUS SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wrightsville El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Wrightsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East High Street El Sch (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Elizabethtown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mount Joy, see our Mount Joy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Donegal Primary School Mount Joy 0.3 mi 4.2
Donegal JHS Mount Joy 0.4 mi 5.9
Lancaster County CTC - Mt Joy Campus Mount Joy 1.4 mi
THE JANUS SCHOOL Mount Joy 1.7 mi 8.1
KRAYBILL MENNONITE SCHOOL Mount Joy 1.6 mi 7.3
Donegal Intermediate School Marietta 2.9 mi 6.4
SONLIGHT RIVER BRETHREN SCHOOL Mount Joy 2.9 mi 5.3
Columbia HS Columbia 3.6 mi 5.0
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia 3.6 mi 4.6
SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL Marietta 3.4 mi 7.2
Farmdale El Sch Mount Joy 3.4 mi 7.3
Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia 4.1 mi 3.5
Park El Sch Columbia 4.4 mi 3.5
OUR LADY OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia 4.5 mi 5.7
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS SCHOOL Columbia 4.5 mi 7.4
Wrightsville El Sch Wrightsville 5.1 mi 8.1
PROSPECT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 5.4 mi
Bear Creek School Elizabethtown 5.5 mi 7.5
East High Street El Sch Elizabethtown 5.9 mi 8.0
Landisville MS Landisville 5.2 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17552 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,776

Median Home Value

$275,600

Median Rent

$1,225/mo

Population

19,747

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Donegal HS has a median household income of $89,776. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,600, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Franklin Area JSHS Franklin, PA 4.3
Greencastle-Antrim SHS Greencastle, PA 4.3
Karns City HS Karns City, PA 4.3
Southmoreland SHS Alverton, PA 4.3
21st Century Cyber CS West Chester, PA 4.2
Achievement House CS Exton, PA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Donegal HS

What grades does Donegal HS serve?

Donegal HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Donegal HS?

Donegal HS has an enrollment of approximately 923 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Donegal HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Donegal HS is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Donegal HS rank in PA?

Donegal HS is ranked #2564 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Donegal HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Donegal HS has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Donegal HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donegal HS has 57.4% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Donegal HS a charter school?

No, Donegal HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Donegal HS a Title I school?

No, Donegal HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Donegal HS?

47.1% of students at Donegal HS 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

City Safety
Average (431/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mount Joy). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lancaster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Donegal SD
District Enrollment
2,780
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,904
District Rank
#3 of 4

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 methodology

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