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Very Good

#627 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 22% in state

Based on limited data

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr

Elementary School · Derry Township SD

450-Rear Homestead Road PO Box 898, Hershey, PA 17033

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on PA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 1st

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hershey

#5 of 6

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#475 of 1,625

In district

#4 of 5

Derry Township SD

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Hershey Early Childhood Ctr

Hershey Early Childhood Center serves 407 kindergarten and first-grade students in Hershey, Pennsylvania, providing a focused foundation for young learners during their crucial early elementary years. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio, the school offers personalized attention during these formative academic years. The center earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #722 out of 2,852 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 75th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to early childhood education and development. As a regular public elementary school, Hershey Early Childhood Center benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where families demonstrate strong educational values. The surrounding ZIP code 17033 shows a median household income of $73,611 and a median home value of $319,500, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The relatively low poverty rate of 11.1% in this community of 17,023 residents creates a stable environment supportive of educational achievement. Located on Homestead Road in the heart of Hershey's large suburban setting, the school serves families in one of Pennsylvania's most recognizable communities, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to quality education.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on PA state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,663

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Compares

See how Hershey Early Childhood Ctr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in PA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

450-Rear Homestead Road PO Box 898, Hershey, PA 17033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hershey Early Childhood Ctr may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hershey Primary El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hershey Intrmd El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Hanover El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hershey, see our Hershey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 0.1 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 0.1 mi 8.6
Hershey MS Hershey 0.2 mi 8.6
Hershey HS Hershey 0.3 mi 7.2
TENDER YEARS Hershey 0.4 mi
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey 0.8 mi 7.1
HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown 1.9 mi 7.6
FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey 1.7 mi
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town 2.5 mi 5.9
South Hanover El Sch Hershey 2.2 mi 8.5
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 2.7 mi 8.1
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra 3.0 mi 7.3
Lower Dauphin MS Hummelstown 3.1 mi 6.4
Pine Street El Sch Palmyra 3.1 mi 8.1
Northside El Sch Palmyra 3.5 mi 8.5
Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown 4.1 mi 7.9
Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra 3.4 mi 5.5
Price Hummelstown 3.4 mi
Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown 3.6 mi 7.1
Forge Road El Sch Palmyra 3.7 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,093

Median Home Value

$340,900

Median Rent

$1,311/mo

Population

17,009

College Educated

46.3%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

41.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hershey Early Childhood Ctr has a median household income of $75,093. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,900, with a median rent of $1,311/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BRYN ATHYN CHURCH SCHOOL Bryn Athyn, PA 7.6
Bentworth El Ctr Bentleyville, PA 7.6
Burrowes El Sch Lancaster, PA 7.6
Dallas Intermediate Sch Dallas, PA 7.6
Hamilton El Sch Carlisle, PA 7.6
Infinity CS Harrisburg, PA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hershey Early Childhood Ctr

What grades does Hershey Early Childhood Ctr serve?

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr serves students in grades Kindergarten through 1st.

How many students attend Hershey Early Childhood Ctr?

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hershey Early Childhood Ctr?

The student-teacher ratio at Hershey Early Childhood Ctr is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hershey Early Childhood Ctr rank in PA?

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr is ranked #627 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Hershey Early Childhood Ctr's MySchoolScout rating?

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr has a composite rating of 7.6 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.

Is Hershey Early Childhood Ctr a charter school?

No, Hershey Early Childhood Ctr is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hershey Early Childhood Ctr a Title I school?

No, Hershey Early Childhood Ctr is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hershey Early Childhood Ctr?

31.0% of students at Hershey Early Childhood Ctr 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 1st
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Derry Township SD
District Enrollment
3,153
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,646
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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