Average
#1399 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 49% 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
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Halifax
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#246 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Halifax Area SD
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Halifax Area HS
Halifax Area HS is a high school located in the rural setting of Halifax, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 247 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, Halifax Area HS provides personalized attention and support for its students.
The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 6.8 out of 10, placing it in the 70th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools. Academically, the school scores a 7.9/10 on the MySchoolScout Academic Score, with 70% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 59% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for growth in math proficiency, the overall performance indicates a solid foundation in core subjects.
Halifax Area HS sits in a rural area where students can enjoy a close-knit community and smaller class sizes that foster personal connections between teachers and students. The school's setting provides a supportive environment conducive to learning and development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Halifax Area HS 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
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Halifax Area HS — Students at Halifax Area HS score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Halifax Area HS Compares
See how Halifax Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 54.5% (2021).
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. Upper Dauphin Area HS (rated 6.0/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Elizabethville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Susquenita HS (rated 5.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Duncannon), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Millersburg Area High School (rated 5.7/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Millersburg), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.3 |
| Halifax Area El Sch Halifax | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Lenkerville Elementary School Millersburg | 5.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Middle Paxton El Sch Dauphin | 5.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Millersburg Area High School Millersburg | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Millersburg Area Middle School Millersburg | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Susquenita MS Duncannon | 8.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Susquenita HS Duncannon | 8.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Upper Dauphin Area HS Elizabethville | 8.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Thomas W Holtzman Jr El Sch Harrisburg | 9.7 mi | 2.6 |
| LITTLE LEARNERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Harrisburg | 9.9 mi | — |
| GODDARD SCHOOL Harrisburg | 9.9 mi | — |
| East Pennsboro Area MS Enola | 11.3 mi | 6.0 |
| RABBI DAVID L SILVER YESHIVA ACADEMY Harrisburg | 11.3 mi | 7.1 |
| East Pennsboro El Sch Enola | 11.3 mi | 6.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Halifax Area HS has a median household income of $78,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,400, with a median rent of $747/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Cochranton JSHS Cochranton, PA | 6.4 |
| Conemaugh Valley JSHS Johnstown, PA | 6.4 |
| Otto-Eldred JSHS Duke Center, PA | 6.4 |
| SERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Mckeesport, PA | 6.4 |
| Union City HS Union City, PA | 6.4 |
| Vaux HS: A Big Picture School Philadelphia, PA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #1399 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Halifax Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Halifax Area HS has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Halifax Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Halifax Area HS has 58.5% math proficiency and 69.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (717) 896-3416
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Halifax Area SD- District Enrollment
- 903
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,824
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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
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