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Average

#1576 of 2,846 schools in PA

Northern HS

High School · Northern York County SD

653 S Baltimore St, Dillsburg, PA 17019

Enrollment

998

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,576 of 2,846

In Dillsburg

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Northern York County SD

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Northern HS

6.1/10

High School in Dillsburg · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northern MS

4.5/10

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

Northern EL Sch

4.2/10

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

About Northern HS

Northern HS is a public high school in Dillsburg, PA, part of Northern York County SD. Northern HS serves approximately 998 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,576 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northern HS show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts below PA schools
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Northern HS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation6.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,796
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

Northern HS — Students at Northern HS score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
63%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
56%
2021*
Math
56%
2024
Math
31.1%
ELA
70.6%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Northern HS Compares

See how Northern HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in PA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
28
14 boys' · 14 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
6.4% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics28sports offered
14 boys'·14 girls'·49 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

653 S Baltimore St, Dillsburg, PA 17019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Boiling Springs HS (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Boiling Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mechanicsburg Area SHS (rated 6.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dillsburg, see our Dillsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Northern MS Dillsburg 0.1 mi 4.5
Northern El Sch Dillsburg 0.1 mi 4.2
Dillsburg El Sch Dillsburg 0.8 mi 7.2
South Mountain El Sch Dillsburg 1.6 mi 5.9
Monroe El Sch Boiling Springs 5.6 mi 6.6
Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg 6.1 mi 8.4
Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg 6.3 mi 7.9
Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg 6.4 mi 5.1
Wellsville Campus Wellsville 5.8 mi 5.8
ALLEN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Carlisle 6.6 mi 4.8
Mechanicsburg Area SHS Mechanicsburg 7.5 mi 6.7
KRALLTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL East Berlin 7.5 mi
Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg 7.7 mi 7.8
Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg 7.8 mi 6.4
Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg 8.0 mi 6.0
Iron Forge El Sch Boiling Springs 6.8 mi 8.4
Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs 7.0 mi 7.5
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Mechanicsburg 8.1 mi
Yellow Breeches MS Boiling Springs 7.0 mi 5.9
Northside El Sch Mechanicsburg 8.6 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,740

Median Home Value

$277,200

Median Rent

$1,088/mo

Population

19,294

College Educated

34.2%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Malvern, PA 6.1
BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Reading, PA 6.1
Forest Hills JSHS Sidman, PA 6.1
New Oxford SHS New Oxford, PA 6.1
Albert Gallatin Area SHS Uniontown, PA 6.0
East Stroudsburg SHS North Dingmans Ferry, PA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern HS

What grades does Northern HS serve?

Northern HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northern HS?

Northern HS has an enrollment of approximately 998 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern HS is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern HS rank in PA?

Northern HS ranks #1,576 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northern HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Northern HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern HS has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northern HS a charter school?

No, Northern HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern HS a Title I school?

No, Northern HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern HS?

23.0% of students at Northern HS 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
998
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
York County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Northern York County SD
District Enrollment
3,276
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,796
District Rank
#2 of 6

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