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Average

#1920 of 2,846 schools in PA

Donegal Jhs

Middle School · Donegal SD

915 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552

Enrollment

445

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,920 of 2,846

In Mount Joy

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Donegal SD

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Donegal Jhs

5.4/10

Middle School in Mount Joy · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Donegal HS

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Donegal Primary School

8.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Donegal Jhs

Donegal Jhs is a public middle school in Mount Joy, PA, part of Donegal SD. Donegal Jhs serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Donegal Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,920 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Donegal Jhs show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with PA schools
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Donegal Jhs sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,904
Chronic Absenteeism20.2%

Donegal Jhs — Students at Donegal Jhs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
34.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
29.6%
ELA
59.6%
2024
Math
37.7%
ELA
57.8%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Donegal Jhs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
33th percentile in PA
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

915 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Donegal Jhs may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Columbia MS Hill Campus (rated 4.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Columbia MS Taylor Campus (rated 3.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mount Joy, see our Mount Joy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Donegal HS Mount Joy 0.4 mi 5.9
Donegal Primary School Mount Joy 0.7 mi 8.6
KRAYBILL MENNONITE SCHOOL Mount Joy 1.4 mi 7.3
Lancaster County CTC - Mt Joy Campus Mount Joy 1.8 mi
THE JANUS SCHOOL Mount Joy 2.1 mi 8.1
Donegal Intermediate School Marietta 2.5 mi 6.6
SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL Marietta 3.0 mi 7.2
Columbia HS Columbia 3.4 mi 5.6
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia 3.4 mi 4.4
SONLIGHT RIVER BRETHREN SCHOOL Mount Joy 3.0 mi 5.3
Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia 3.9 mi 3.8
Park El Sch Columbia 4.2 mi 4.2
OUR LADY OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia 4.3 mi 5.7
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS SCHOOL Columbia 4.3 mi 7.4
Farmdale El Sch Mount Joy 3.5 mi 7.2
Wrightsville El Sch Wrightsville 4.8 mi 7.8
PROSPECT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 5.4 mi
Bear Creek School Elizabethtown 5.6 mi 8.1
Eastern York HS Wrightsville 6.5 mi 7.4
East High Street El Sch Elizabethtown 5.9 mi 7.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Indian Crest MS Souderton, PA 5.4
Ramsay El Sch Mount Pleasant, PA 5.4
North Star East MS Stoystown, PA 5.5
Penn's Grove School Oxford, PA 5.5
Pennridge Central MS Perkasie, PA 5.5
Beaver Area MS Beaver, PA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Donegal Jhs

What grades does Donegal Jhs serve?

Donegal Jhs serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Donegal Jhs?

Donegal Jhs has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Donegal Jhs?

The student-teacher ratio at Donegal Jhs is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Donegal Jhs rank in PA?

Donegal Jhs ranks #1,920 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Donegal Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?

Donegal Jhs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Donegal Jhs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Donegal Jhs has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Donegal Jhs a charter school?

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

Is Donegal Jhs a Title I school?

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

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

50.6% of students at Donegal Jhs 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

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

District

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

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