Excellent
#167 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 6% in state
Hershey MS
Middle School · Derry Township SD
500 Homestead Rd PO Box 898, Hershey, PA 17033
Enrollment
741
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
741
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hershey
#2 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#10 of 514
In district
#2 of 5
Derry Township SD
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Hershey MS
Hershey MS is a public middle school in Hershey, PA, part of the Derry Township SD. The school serves approximately 741 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.2th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 60% proficiency in math, 24 points above the state average and 82% in reading/language arts, 29 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $75,093, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hershey MS — Students at Hershey MS score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 8.4/10.
How Hershey MS Compares
See how Hershey MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 57% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 80% (2019) to 81.6% (2024).
Location
500 Homestead Rd PO Box 898, Hershey, PA 17033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hershey MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palmyra Area MS (rated 7.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Palmyra), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lower Dauphin MS (rated 6.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Hummelstown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hershey, see our Hershey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Hershey HS Hershey | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| TENDER YEARS Hershey | 0.6 mi | — |
| MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey | 1.8 mi | — |
| ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| South Hanover El Sch Hershey | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Palmyra Area MS Palmyra | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Pine Street El Sch Palmyra | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Northside El Sch Palmyra | 3.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Lower Dauphin MS Hummelstown | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown | 4.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Forge Road El Sch Palmyra | 3.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Price Hummelstown | 3.6 mi | — |
| Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
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 MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.6 |
| Neil Armstrong 5-6 MS Bethel Park, PA | 8.5 |
| Moon Area Lower MS Moon Township, PA | 8.4 |
| Strath Haven MS Wallingford, PA | 8.4 |
| Cocalico MS Denver, PA | 8.3 |
| Mount Nittany MS State College, PA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hershey MS
What grades does Hershey MS serve?
Hershey MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hershey MS?
Hershey MS has an enrollment of approximately 741 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hershey MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Hershey MS is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hershey MS rank in PA?
Hershey MS is ranked #167 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Hershey MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Hershey MS has a composite rating of 8.6 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.
What are the test scores at Hershey MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hershey MS has 59.8% math proficiency and 82.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hershey MS a charter school?
No, Hershey MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hershey MS a Title I school?
No, Hershey MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hershey MS?
30.2% of students at Hershey 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 741
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 531-2222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Derry Township SD- District Enrollment
- 3,153
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,646
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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
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