Very Good
#808 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 28% in state
Halifax Area MS
Middle School · Halifax Area SD
3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Halifax
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#128 of 514
In district
#2 of 3
Halifax Area SD
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Halifax Area MS
Halifax Area MS is a middle school located in the rural setting of Halifax, Pennsylvania. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 295 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Halifax Area MS places it around the median for public middle schools in Pennsylvania, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.9 out of 10.
In terms of standardized test scores, 58% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 30% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school can focus on improvement. The rural setting of Halifax offers a close-knit community atmosphere for both students and teachers at Halifax Area MS.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Halifax Area MS 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Halifax Area MS — Students at Halifax Area MS score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Halifax Area MS Compares
See how Halifax Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 33.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 58.7% (2024).
Location
3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Halifax Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. East Pennsboro Area MS (rated 6.0/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Enola), a more accessible option. Another option is Millersburg Area Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Millersburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Susquenita MS (rated 5.5/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Duncannon), 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 HS Halifax | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Apollo-Ridge MS Spring Church, PA | 7.3 |
| Grove City Area MS Grove City, PA | 7.3 |
| Harbor Creek Junior HS Harborcreek, PA | 7.3 |
| Newport MS Newport, PA | 7.3 |
| Scott MS Coatesville, PA | 7.3 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg, PA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Halifax Area MS
What grades does Halifax Area MS serve?
Halifax Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Halifax Area MS?
Halifax Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 295 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Halifax Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Halifax Area MS is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Halifax Area MS rank in PA?
Halifax Area MS is ranked #808 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Halifax Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Halifax Area MS has a composite rating of 7.3 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Halifax Area MS has 29.6% math proficiency and 57.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Halifax Area MS a charter school?
No, Halifax Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Halifax Area MS a Title I school?
No, Halifax Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Halifax Area MS?
46.1% of students at Halifax 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. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 295
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.1%
- 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
- #2 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
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.