Very Good
#526 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 19% in state
Dover Area MS
Middle School · Dover Area SD
46 W Canal St, Dover, PA 17315
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dover
#5 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#61 of 514
In district
#5 of 6
Dover Area SD
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Dover Area MS
Dover Area Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Dover, Pennsylvania, with an enrollment of 773 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, supported by 58 full-time equivalent teachers. Located at 46 West Canal Street in this mid-size suburban community, Dover Area MS is a regular public school focused on serving the local area.
Academically, the school has room for growth across core subjects. In English Language Arts, about 52% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics shows an average proficiency rate of 36% across grade levels. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen student performance in both reading and math skills.
Dover Area MS holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks 1,095th among Pennsylvania's 2,852 schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide. The school serves its mid-sized suburban community with a focus on developing middle-grade learners. With a reasonable class size ratio and dedicated teaching staff, Dover Area MS continues to support student learning during the important middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dover Area MS — Students at Dover Area MS score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Dover Area MS Compares
See how Dover Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2021) to 38% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2021) to 51.2% (2024).
Location
46 W Canal St, Dover, PA 17315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dover Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sinking Springs El Sch (rated 7.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby York), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West York Area MS (rated 6.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby York), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dover Area HS Dover | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Dover Area El Sch Dover | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| North Salem El Sch Dover | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dover | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Weigelstown El Sch Dover | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Leib El Sch Dover | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Trimmer El Sch York | 3.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Wallace El Sch York | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Thomasville | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| YORK ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL York | 3.8 mi | — |
| CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF YORK York | 4.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Lincolnway El Sch York | 5.1 mi | 8.3 |
| West York Area HS York | 5.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Conewago El Sch York | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
| West York Area MS York | 5.4 mi | 6.0 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY York | 5.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Wellsville Campus Wellsville | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Roundtown El Sch York | 5.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Sinking Springs El Sch York | 5.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy York | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,058
Median Home Value
$222,400
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
26,434
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
89.4%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dover Area MS has a median household income of $81,058. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,400, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Conrad Weiser MS Robesonia, PA | 7.8 |
| Holicong MS Doylestown, PA | 7.8 |
| Lower Macungie MS Macungie, PA | 7.8 |
| Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem, PA | 7.8 |
| Spring-Ford MS 7th Grade Ctr Royersford, PA | 7.8 |
| William Penn MS Yardley, PA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dover Area MS
What grades does Dover Area MS serve?
Dover Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dover Area MS?
Dover Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dover Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Dover Area MS is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dover Area MS rank in PA?
Dover Area MS is ranked #526 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Dover Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Dover Area MS has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Dover Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dover Area MS has 36.1% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dover Area MS a charter school?
No, Dover Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dover Area MS a Title I school?
No, Dover Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dover Area MS?
98.1% of students at Dover Area MS 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 773
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- York County
- Phone
- (717) 292-8067
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dover Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,251
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,218
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.