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Very Good

#644 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 23% in state

Halifax Area HS

High School · Halifax Area SD

3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#644 of 2,846

In Halifax

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Halifax Area SD

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Halifax Area HS

7.7/10

High School in Halifax · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Halifax Area MS

5.2/10

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

Halifax Area EL Sch

7.6/10

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

About Halifax Area HS

Halifax Area HS is a public high school in Halifax, PA, part of Halifax Area SD. Halifax Area HS serves approximately 247 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Halifax Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #644 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Halifax Area HS show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Halifax Area HS 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation11.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,824
Chronic Absenteeism23.1%

Halifax Area HS — Students at Halifax Area HS score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 73.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
54.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
2024
Math
49.1%
ELA
62.5%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Halifax Area HS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in PA
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·16 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Halifax Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Millersburg Area High School (rated 7.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Millersburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Susquenita HS (rated 6.5/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Duncannon), a more accessible option. Additionally, Upper Dauphin Area HS (rated 5.7/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Elizabethville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Halifax, see our Halifax schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Halifax Area MS Halifax 0.0 mi 5.2
Halifax Area El Sch Halifax 0.2 mi 7.6
Lenkerville Elementary School Millersburg 5.1 mi 7.6
Middle Paxton El Sch Dauphin 5.7 mi 6.9
Millersburg Area High School Millersburg 5.7 mi 7.5
Millersburg Area Middle School Millersburg 5.7 mi 5.1
NORTHERN DAUPHIN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millersburg 5.8 mi 6.1
NORTHERN DAUPHIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millersburg 6.8 mi 6.0
Susquenita El Sch Duncannon 8.2 mi 5.5
Susquenita MS Duncannon 8.3 mi 4.9
Susquenita HS Duncannon 8.5 mi 6.5
Upper Dauphin Area HS Elizabethville 8.5 mi 5.7
Thomas W Holtzman Jr El Sch Harrisburg 9.7 mi 2.8
LITTLE LEARNERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Harrisburg 9.9 mi
GODDARD SCHOOL Harrisburg 9.9 mi
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola 11.3 mi 4.5
RABBI DAVID L SILVER YESHIVA ACADEMY Harrisburg 11.3 mi 7.1
East Pennsboro El Sch Enola 11.3 mi 5.3
RAKERS MILL SCHOOL Elizabethville 10.2 mi
HARRISBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisburg 10.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,625

Median Home Value

$212,400

Median Rent

$747/mo

Population

7,630

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

83.9%

Avg Commute

30.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

47.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Line Mountain HS Herndon, PA 7.7
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg, PA 7.8
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY Wayne, PA 7.8
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY Erie, PA 7.8
Berlin Brothersvalley SHS Berlin, PA 7.6
GLOBAL VISION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scotland, PA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Halifax Area HS

What grades does Halifax Area HS serve?

Halifax Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Halifax Area HS?

Halifax Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Halifax Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Halifax Area HS is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Halifax Area HS rank in PA?

Halifax Area HS ranks #644 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Halifax Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Halifax Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Halifax Area HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Halifax Area HS has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Halifax Area HS a charter school?

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

Is Halifax Area HS a Title I school?

No, Halifax Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

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

35.6% of students at Halifax Area 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

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dauphin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.1%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Halifax Area SD
District Enrollment
903
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,824
District Rank
#1 of 3

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