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Excellent

#373 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 13% 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

8.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#373 of 2,846

In Dover

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Dover Area SD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Dover Area MS

8.2/10

Middle School in Dover · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dover Area HS

7.1/10

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

Dover Area EL Sch

7.5/10

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

About Dover Area MS

Dover Area MS is a public middle school in Dover, PA, part of Dover Area SD. Dover Area MS serves approximately 773 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Dover Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #373 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Dover Area MS show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

How it compares2.8 pts above PA schools
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,218
Chronic Absenteeism14%

Dover Area MS — Students at Dover Area MS score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2020*
Math
27%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
30.2%
ELA
58.6%
2024
Math
38.4%
ELA
51.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Dover Area MS Compares

See how Dover Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
87th percentile in PA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

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

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 5.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby York), a more accessible option. Additionally, West York Area MS (rated 4.3/10, 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 7.1
Dover Area El Sch Dover 0.6 mi 7.5
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 7.1
Leib El Sch Dover 2.2 mi 6.8
Trimmer El Sch York 3.5 mi 4.3
Wallace El Sch York 3.6 mi 5.7
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 5.7
West York Area HS York 5.2 mi 6.6
Conewago El Sch York 5.7 mi 7.9
West York Area MS York 5.4 mi 4.3
BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY York 5.7 mi 7.4
Wellsville Campus Wellsville 5.7 mi 5.8
Roundtown El Sch York 5.3 mi 6.3
Sinking Springs El Sch York 5.5 mi 5.1
Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy York 5.7 mi 7.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles F Patton MS Kennett Square, PA 8.2
Southern Lehigh Intermediate Sch Bethlehem, PA 8.1
West Allegheny MS Imperial, PA 8.1
Holland MS Holland, PA 8.3
Sandy Run MS Dresher, PA 8.0
Springton Lake MS Media, PA 8.0

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 ranks #373 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Dover Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Dover Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Dover Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dover Area MS has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.0%

District

Dover Area SD
District Enrollment
3,251
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,218
District Rank
#2 of 6

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