Average
#2017 of 2,846 schools in PA
Halifax Area MS
Middle School · Halifax Area SD
3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,017 of 2,846
In Halifax
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Halifax Area SD
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Halifax Area MS
Middle School in Halifax · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Halifax Area HS
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Halifax Area EL Sch
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Halifax Area MS
Halifax Area MS is a public middle school in Halifax, PA, part of Halifax Area SD. Halifax Area MS serves approximately 295 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Halifax Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,017 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Halifax Area MS show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
Halifax Area MS 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 · 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: 55%).
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 38 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: 3.4/10.
How Halifax Area MS Compares
See how Halifax Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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 MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Millersburg Area Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Millersburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Susquenita MS (rated 4.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Duncannon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Pennsboro Area MS (rated 4.5/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Enola), 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 HS Halifax | 0.0 mi | 7.7 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert Gallatin North MS Mcclellandtown, PA | 5.2 |
| Bristol MS Bristol, PA | 5.2 |
| Apollo-Ridge MS Spring Church, PA | 5.3 |
| Beaver Area MS Beaver, PA | 5.3 |
| Blue Ridge MS New Milford, PA | 5.3 |
| Windber Area MS Windber, PA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #2,017 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Halifax Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Halifax Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Halifax Area MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Halifax Area MS has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.9%
- Phone
- (717) 896-3416
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
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