Skip to main content

Below Average

#2330 of 2,846 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

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,330 of 2,846

In Dillsburg

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

Northern York County SD

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Northern MS?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Northern MS

4.5/10

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

Northern HS

6.1/10

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

Northern EL Sch

4.2/10

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

About Northern MS

Northern MS is a public middle school in Dillsburg, PA, part of Northern York County SD. Northern MS serves approximately 747 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,330 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northern MS show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Northern MS 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.2% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,796
Chronic Absenteeism14.1%

Northern MS — Students at Northern MS score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 68.5% (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
82%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
29.1%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
36.2%
ELA
63.1%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Northern MS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
18th percentile in PA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

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

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 5.9/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Boiling Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bermudian Springs MS (rated 5.6/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby York Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mechanicsburg MS (rated 5.1/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dillsburg, see our Dillsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Northern HS Dillsburg 0.1 mi 6.1
Northern El Sch Dillsburg 0.2 mi 4.2
Dillsburg El Sch Dillsburg 0.9 mi 7.2
South Mountain El Sch Dillsburg 1.6 mi 5.9
Monroe El Sch Boiling Springs 5.7 mi 6.6
Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg 6.2 mi 8.4
Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg 6.4 mi 7.9
Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg 6.5 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 7.6 mi 6.7
KRALLTOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL East Berlin 7.4 mi
Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg 7.8 mi 7.8
Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg 7.9 mi 6.4
Iron Forge El Sch Boiling Springs 6.8 mi 8.4
Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg 8.1 mi 6.0
Boiling Springs HS Boiling Springs 7.0 mi 7.5
Yellow Breeches MS Boiling Springs 7.0 mi 5.9
Bermudian Springs MS York Springs 8.3 mi 5.6
Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs 8.4 mi 5.6

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
Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg, PA 4.5
Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville, PA 4.5
East Pennsboro Area MS Enola, PA 4.5
Feltonville Sch of Arts & Sciences Philadelphia, PA 4.5
Jackson MS Lancaster, PA 4.5
North Hills El Sch York, PA 4.5

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 ranks #2,330 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northern MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern MS has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.