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Excellent

#243 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 9% 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

8.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#243 of 2,846

In Hershey

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Derry Township SD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Hershey MS

8.5/10

Middle School in Hershey · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hershey Early Childhood Ctr

7.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hershey HS

8.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hershey MS

Hershey MS is a public middle school in Hershey, PA, part of Derry Township SD. Hershey MS serves approximately 741 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Hershey MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #243 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Hershey MS show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.1 pts above PA schools
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.1 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,646
Chronic Absenteeism12.6%

Hershey MS — Students at Hershey MS score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 83.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
51.7%
ELA
83.8%
2024
Math
57.2%
ELA
81.7%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Hershey MS Compares

See how Hershey MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
92th percentile in PA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Palmyra), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lower Dauphin MS (rated 5.2/10, 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 7.5
Hershey HS Hershey 0.2 mi 8.7
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 0.2 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 0.2 mi 8.9
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 6.0
South Hanover El Sch Hershey 2.4 mi 8.1
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 2.6 mi 8.3
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra 3.0 mi 7.0
Pine Street El Sch Palmyra 3.0 mi 8.4
Northside El Sch Palmyra 3.4 mi 8.6
Lower Dauphin MS Hummelstown 3.2 mi 5.2
Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown 4.0 mi 7.1
Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra 3.3 mi 7.6
Forge Road El Sch Palmyra 3.6 mi 7.2
Price Hummelstown 3.6 mi
Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown 3.7 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brandywine Heights Intrmd/MS Topton, PA 8.5
Fort Couch MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.5
Jefferson MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.5
Mellon MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.5
Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia, PA 8.6
Moon Area Lower MS Moon Township, PA 8.4

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 ranks #243 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Hershey MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Hershey MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Hershey MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hershey MS has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.6%

District

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

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