Below Average
#2545 of 2,842 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
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
998
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dillsburg
#5 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#574 of 641
In district
#6 of 6
Northern York County SD
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Northern HS
Northern HS serves 998 students in grades 9-12 in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 and 64 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania high schools, holding position #1704 out of 2852 schools statewide. Academically, Northern HS shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 71% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 31% of students currently meet or exceed proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $86,015 and the median home value is $263,100.
About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at 6.8%. This economic stability provides a supportive foundation for student learning. Northern HS sits in a rural area near the town of Dillsburg in York County, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to educational opportunities.
The rural setting provides a close-knit environment where students and families can build lasting relationships within the school community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northern HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Northern HS — Students at Northern HS score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Northern HS Compares
See how Northern HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 56% (2021).
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 6.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Boiling Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mechanicsburg Area SHS (rated 5.0/10, 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 | 5.8 |
| Northern El Sch Dillsburg | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Dillsburg El Sch Dillsburg | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| South Mountain El Sch Dillsburg | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Monroe El Sch Boiling Springs | 5.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg | 6.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg | 6.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg | 6.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Wellsville Campus Wellsville | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| ALLEN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Carlisle | 6.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Mechanicsburg Area SHS Mechanicsburg | 7.5 mi | 5.0 |
| KRALLTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL East Berlin | 7.5 mi | — |
| Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg | 8.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Iron Forge El Sch Boiling Springs | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Mechanicsburg | 8.1 mi | — |
| Yellow Breeches MS Boiling Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Northside El Sch Mechanicsburg | 8.6 mi | 8.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern HS has a median household income of $89,740. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,200, with a median rent of $1,088/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Ambridge Area HS Ambridge, PA | 4.4 |
| Freire CS Philadelphia, PA | 4.4 |
| LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lansdale, PA | 4.4 |
| Northeastern SHS Manchester, PA | 4.4 |
| Bethel Park HS Bethel Park, PA | 4.5 |
| Carbondale Area JSHS Carbondale, PA | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #2545 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northern HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern HS has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Northern HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern HS has 52.4% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (717) 432-8691
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northern York County SD- District Enrollment
- 3,276
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,796
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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