Average
#1818 of 2,842 schools in PA
Northern MS
Middle School · Northern York County SD
655 S Baltimore St, Dillsburg, PA 17019
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
747
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dillsburg
#4 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#319 of 514
In district
#5 of 6
Northern York County SD
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Northern MS
Northern MS serves grades 6 through 8 in Dillsburg, a rural area of York County in south-central Pennsylvania. The school enrolls 747 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 50 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Northern MS is working with room for growth.
Reading performance shows relative strength, with 63% of students testing proficient or above in ELA across the grade spans. Mathematics presents a greater challenge, with 34% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results place the school at the 36th percentile statewide among Pennsylvania's public schools.
The school's overall MySchoolScout Academic Score is 5.5 out of 10, and its rating is 4.8 out of 10. For families considering this school, it's worth understanding that Northern MS is in a period of academic development, particularly in mathematics instruction. The solid student-teacher ratio of roughly 15 students per teacher suggests individual attention is available.
The school's rural setting near town offers a quieter community environment that appeals to families seeking that kind of neighborhood character.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northern MS 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northern MS — Students at Northern MS score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Northern MS Compares
See how Northern MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 63.1% (2024).
Location
655 S Baltimore St, Dillsburg, PA 17019
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Yellow Breeches MS (rated 6.6/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Boiling Springs), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bermudian Springs MS (rated 5.8/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby York Springs), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mechanicsburg MS (rated 5.1/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dillsburg, see our Dillsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northern HS Dillsburg | 0.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Northern El Sch Dillsburg | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Dillsburg El Sch Dillsburg | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| South Mountain El Sch Dillsburg | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Monroe El Sch Boiling Springs | 5.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg | 6.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg | 6.5 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 | 7.6 mi | 5.0 |
| KRALLTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL East Berlin | 7.4 mi | — |
| Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg | 7.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg | 7.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Iron Forge El Sch Boiling Springs | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg | 8.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Yellow Breeches MS Boiling Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Bermudian Springs MS York Springs | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin MS Levittown, PA | 5.8 |
| Bermudian Springs MS York Springs, PA | 5.8 |
| Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg, PA | 5.8 |
| Danville Area MS Danville, PA | 5.8 |
| Hampton MS Allison Park, PA | 5.8 |
| J R Fugett MS West Chester, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern MS
What grades does Northern MS serve?
Northern MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northern MS?
Northern MS has an enrollment of approximately 747 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern MS is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern MS rank in PA?
Northern MS is ranked #1818 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northern MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern MS has a composite rating of 5.8 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern MS has 34.2% math proficiency and 62.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northern MS a charter school?
No, Northern MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern MS a Title I school?
No, Northern MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern MS?
29.5% of students at Northern 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (1/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 747
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.5%
- 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
- #5 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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