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Average

#2020 of 2,846 schools in PA

Lower Dauphin MS

Middle School · Lower Dauphin SD

251 Quarry Rd, Hummelstown, PA 17036

Enrollment

841

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,020 of 2,846

In Hummelstown

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Lower Dauphin SD

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Lower Dauphin MS

5.2/10

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

Price

Nearby

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

Lower Dauphin HS

7.8/10

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

About Lower Dauphin MS

Lower Dauphin MS is a public middle school in Hummelstown, PA, part of Lower Dauphin SD. Lower Dauphin MS serves approximately 841 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Lower Dauphin MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,020 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Lower Dauphin MS show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with PA schools
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,916
Chronic Absenteeism18.3%

Lower Dauphin MS — Students at Lower Dauphin MS score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 69.7% (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
86%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
30.4%
ELA
60.4%
2024
Math
38.9%
ELA
61.1%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Lower Dauphin MS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in PA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

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

251 Quarry Rd, Hummelstown, PA 17036

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lower Dauphin MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hershey MS (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Hershey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Middletown Area MS (rated 4.4/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Middletown), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hummelstown, see our Hummelstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Price Hummelstown 0.5 mi
Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown 0.5 mi 7.8
Nye El Sch Hummelstown 0.8 mi 6.2
FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey 1.5 mi
GODDARD SCHOOL Hummelstown 1.9 mi
South Hanover El Sch Hershey 2.2 mi 8.1
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town 2.0 mi 6.0
TENDER YEARS Hershey 3.1 mi
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey 3.1 mi 7.5
HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown 3.0 mi 7.6
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 3.1 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 3.1 mi 8.9
Hershey HS Hershey 3.1 mi 8.7
Hershey MS Hershey 3.2 mi 8.5
Middletown Area HS Middletown 4.1 mi 6.0
Robert Reid El Sch Middletown 4.1 mi 6.3
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey 3.5 mi 7.1
SEVEN SORROWS BVM SCHOOL Middletown 4.5 mi 8.0
Middletown Area MS Middletown 4.3 mi 4.4
Fink El Sch Middletown 4.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,043

Median Home Value

$316,900

Median Rent

$1,362/mo

Population

22,487

College Educated

60.2%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blue Mountain MS Orwigsburg, PA 5.2
Fleetwood MS Fleetwood, PA 5.2
Floyd C Fretz MS Bradford, PA 5.2
Hopewell JHS Aliquippa, PA 5.2
Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg, PA 5.3
Central Mountain MS Mill Hall, PA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lower Dauphin MS

What grades does Lower Dauphin MS serve?

Lower Dauphin MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lower Dauphin MS?

Lower Dauphin MS has an enrollment of approximately 841 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lower Dauphin MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Lower Dauphin MS is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lower Dauphin MS rank in PA?

Lower Dauphin MS ranks #2,020 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Lower Dauphin MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Lower Dauphin 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 Lower Dauphin MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lower Dauphin MS has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Lower Dauphin MS a charter school?

No, Lower Dauphin MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lower Dauphin MS a Title I school?

No, Lower Dauphin MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lower Dauphin MS?

30.6% of students at Lower Dauphin 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
841
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

District

Lower Dauphin SD
District Enrollment
3,444
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,916
District Rank
#7 of 7

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