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Needs Improvement

#2801 of 2,842 schools in PA

Harrisburg HS

High School · Harrisburg City SD

2451 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Enrollment

1,333

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#38 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#634 of 641

In district

#11 of 12

Harrisburg City SD

About Harrisburg HS

Harrisburg High School serves 1,333 students in grades 9-12 in Pennsylvania's capital city. With 75 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention within its classrooms. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement.

Currently, 12% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 2% show proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. These results place Harrisburg High School at #2847 out of 2852 high schools statewide, indicating the school is working to address academic gaps and support student development. Located at 2451 Market Street, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $40,786 and 30.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with median home values around $104,100. Despite these economic challenges, the school continues its mission to educate students in Pennsylvania's capital region. Harrisburg High School sits within the small city setting of Harrisburg, where students have access to the cultural and civic opportunities that come with living in the state capital while attending a neighborhood school rooted in their local community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-54 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness2.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,149

Harrisburg HS — Students at Harrisburg HS score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
2.4%
ELA
12.1%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Harrisburg HS Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in PA
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers

Location

2451 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harrisburg HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Premier Arts and Science CS (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE CIRCLE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Marshall Academy Harrisburg 0.2 mi 5.1
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg 0.2 mi 3.4
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.4 mi 7.5
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.6 mi
ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.9
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 0.7 mi 3.9
Scott Sch Harrisburg 0.8 mi 3.0
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 0.9 mi 3.8
Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg 1.0 mi 3.8
Paxtang El Sch Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.2
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.5
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 1.1 mi 5.8
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.1 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.2 mi 6.6
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.5 mi 6.4
Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg 1.5 mi 5.4
Foose Sch Harrisburg 1.6 mi 5.0
HARRISBURG ADVENTIST SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.7 mi 6.7
MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg 1.5 mi
THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.6 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,383

Median Home Value

$113,100

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

12,774

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

31.4%

Median Age

27.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harrisburg HS has a median household income of $41,383. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,100, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Shikellamy HS Sunbury, PA 3.2
Waynesboro Area Senior High School Waynesboro, PA 3.4
Bucks County Technical High School Fairless Hills, PA 3.6
New Oxford SHS New Oxford, PA 3.6
North Schuylkill JSHS Ashland, PA 3.6
Hanover Area JSHS Hanover Township, PA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harrisburg HS

What grades does Harrisburg HS serve?

Harrisburg HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Harrisburg HS?

Harrisburg HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,333 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harrisburg HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Harrisburg HS is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harrisburg HS rank in PA?

Harrisburg HS is ranked #2801 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Harrisburg HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Harrisburg HS has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Harrisburg HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harrisburg HS has 13.0% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harrisburg HS a charter school?

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

Is Harrisburg HS a Title I school?

No, Harrisburg HS is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.2% of students at Harrisburg 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,333
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrisburg City SD
District Enrollment
6,395
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,239
District Rank
#11 of 12

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 methodology

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