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Average

#1727 of 2,842 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

5.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Joy

#2 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#301 of 514

In district

#2 of 4

Donegal SD

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Donegal Jhs

Donegal JHS is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, Donegal JHS has an enrollment of 445 students and employs 31 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it at the 44th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #1613 out of 2852.

Academically, students perform around average in English Language Arts (ELA), with 58% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, and slightly below average in math, where 36% are proficient or above. Despite these scores, the school is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development and academic growth. Located in a rural setting near Mount Joy, Donegal JHS benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners as they navigate their middle school years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Donegal Jhs 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.8%
Math vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,968

Donegal Jhs — Students at Donegal Jhs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

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 36.2%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 58.1%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 10 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
42%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
53%
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: 7.1/10.

How Donegal Jhs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in PA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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 4.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Columbia), a more accessible option. Additionally, Columbia MS Taylor Campus (rated 3.5/10, 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 4.3
Donegal Primary School Mount Joy 0.7 mi 4.2
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 6.4
SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL Marietta 3.0 mi 7.2
Columbia HS Columbia 3.4 mi 5.0
Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia 3.4 mi 4.6
SONLIGHT RIVER BRETHREN SCHOOL Mount Joy 3.0 mi 5.3
Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia 3.9 mi 3.5
Park El Sch Columbia 4.2 mi 3.5
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 7.3
Wrightsville El Sch Wrightsville 4.8 mi 8.1
PROSPECT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia 5.4 mi
Bear Creek School Elizabethtown 5.6 mi 7.5
Eastern York HS Wrightsville 6.5 mi 5.9
East High Street El Sch Elizabethtown 5.9 mi 8.0

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 Jhs 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
Hamburg Area Middle School Hamburg, PA 5.9
Reiffton Sch Reading, PA 5.9
South Eastern MS Fawn Grove, PA 5.9
West Hills Intermediate Sch Kittanning, PA 5.9
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA 6.0
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata, PA 6.0

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 is ranked #1727 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Donegal Jhs's MySchoolScout rating?

Donegal Jhs has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Jhs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donegal Jhs has 36.2% math proficiency and 58.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
Average (431/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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