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Average

#2294 of 2,842 schools in PA

Mechanicsburg Area Shs

High School · Mechanicsburg Area SD

500 S Broad St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Enrollment

1,371

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mechanicsburg

#17 of 17

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#507 of 641

In district

#8 of 8

Mechanicsburg Area SD

About Mechanicsburg Area Shs

Mechanicsburg Area SHS serves 1,371 students in grades 9-12 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. This regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 101 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a manageable learning environment for its sizable student body. Academically, the school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1294 out of 2852 Pennsylvania high schools, placing it in the 55th percentile statewide.

Student performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 40% of students achieving proficiency, indicating an area with room for academic growth. The school draws from a well-educated community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $89,367.

The surrounding 17055 ZIP code area has a low poverty rate of 5.6% and a median home value of $245,500, reflecting the stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class character of the neighborhood. Mechanicsburg Area SHS operates in a large suburban setting in Cumberland County, serving a community of over 40,000 residents who value education and maintain strong economic foundations for supporting their students' academic journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,820

Mechanicsburg Area Shs — Students at Mechanicsburg Area Shs score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 58.4%
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
76%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
40.3%
ELA
67.2%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Mechanicsburg Area Shs Compares

See how Mechanicsburg Area Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in PA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers

Location

500 S Broad St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mechanicsburg Area Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Upper Allen El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northside El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broad Street El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mechanicsburg, see our Mechanicsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg 0.2 mi 7.8
Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg 0.8 mi 6.5
Northside El Sch Mechanicsburg 1.2 mi 8.7
Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg 1.2 mi 5.5
Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg 1.8 mi 5.1
Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg 1.9 mi 8.9
TENDER YEARS - MECHANICSBURG Mechanicsburg 2.2 mi
Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg 2.1 mi 7.6
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP Mechanicsburg 2.2 mi
Sporting Hill El Sch Mechanicsburg 3.0 mi 5.8
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Mechanicsburg 2.8 mi
Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center Mechanicsburg 3.7 mi
Cumberland Valley HS Mechanicsburg 3.4 mi 6.7
Hampden El Sch Mechanicsburg 3.7 mi 6.4
Silver Spring El Sch Mechanicsburg 3.6 mi 6.8
Eagle View MS Mechanicsburg 3.7 mi 7.1
THE CHILDRENS GARDEN OF ST JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH Shiremanstown 3.4 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mechanicsburg 3.5 mi 7.8
Mountain View MS Mechanicsburg 4.4 mi 7.3
Rossmoyne El Sch Mechanicsburg 3.4 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,542

Median Home Value

$266,400

Median Rent

$1,320/mo

Population

41,416

College Educated

47.2%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mechanicsburg Area Shs has a median household income of $95,542. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,400, with a median rent of $1,320/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Williamsport Area SHS Williamsport, PA 5.0
Wyoming Area Sec Ctr Exeter, PA 5.0
Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate, PA 4.9
Cedar Cliff HS Camp Hill, PA 4.9
Frankford HS Philadelphia, PA 5.1
Governor Mifflin SHS Shillington, PA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mechanicsburg Area Shs

What grades does Mechanicsburg Area Shs serve?

Mechanicsburg Area Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mechanicsburg Area Shs?

Mechanicsburg Area Shs has an enrollment of approximately 1,371 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mechanicsburg Area Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Mechanicsburg Area Shs is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mechanicsburg Area Shs rank in PA?

Mechanicsburg Area Shs is ranked #2294 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Mechanicsburg Area Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Mechanicsburg Area Shs has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Mechanicsburg Area Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mechanicsburg Area Shs has 62.8% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mechanicsburg Area Shs a charter school?

No, Mechanicsburg Area Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mechanicsburg Area Shs a Title I school?

No, Mechanicsburg Area Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mechanicsburg Area Shs?

37.9% of students at Mechanicsburg Area Shs 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,345/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,371
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cumberland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mechanicsburg Area SD
District Enrollment
4,671
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,315
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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