Average
#2017 of 2,846 schools in PA
Halifax Area MS
Middle School · Halifax Area Sd · Halifax, PA
A Halifax Area Sd middle school where students score 9 points below what's typical for similar communities.
3940 Peters Mountain Rd, Halifax, PA 17032
- Math 33% vs PA 37% (2024)
- Reading 59% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 14:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Halifax Area MS score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 14 points since 2020, reaching 46% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 40% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 62% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
46.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Halifax Area MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 32Car-Dependent
- Bike 24Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$78,625
Median home value
$212,400
Median rent
$747/mo
College educated
20.2%
Homeownership
83.9%
Poverty rate
9.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 17032; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Halifax Area Sd
- Schools in district
- 3
- Rank in district
- #3 of 3
- District spending per student
- $20,824NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 11.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
Halifax Area MS is listed in Halifax Area SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Halifax Area MS
Halifax Area MS is a public middle school in Halifax, PA, part of Halifax Area Sd, serving approximately 295 students in grades 5th-8th with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,017 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 295
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dauphin County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.9%
- Phone
- (717) 896-3416
- Area population (ZIP 17032)
- 7,630
- Area average commute
- 30.8 min
- Area median age
- 47.3
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 17032; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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