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Excellent

#427 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 15% in state

Northside EL Sch

Elementary School · Mechanicsburg Area SD

411 N Walnut St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Enrollment

218

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

1st – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#427 of 2,846

In Mechanicsburg

#2 of 17

public schools

In district

#2 of 8

Mechanicsburg Area SD

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Northside EL Sch

8.1/10

Elementary School in Mechanicsburg · grades 1st – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Elmwood Academy

6.4/10

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

Kindergarten Academy

6.0/10

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

About Northside EL Sch

Northside EL Sch is a public elementary school in Mechanicsburg, PA, part of Mechanicsburg Area SD. Northside EL Sch serves approximately 218 students, and covers grades 1st-3rd, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northside EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #427 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northside EL Sch show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.4
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,315
Chronic Absenteeism15.6%

Northside EL Sch — Students at Northside EL Sch score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.1% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 70.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.6% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 32 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
92%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
68.1%
ELA
79.2%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Northside EL Sch Compares

See how Northside EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in PA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

Location

411 N Walnut St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northside EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shepherdstown El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Upper Allen El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Broad Street El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mechanicsburg, see our Mechanicsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Elmwood Academy Mechanicsburg 1.0 mi 6.4
Kindergarten Academy Mechanicsburg 0.9 mi 6.0
Broad Street El Sch Mechanicsburg 1.0 mi 7.8
Mechanicsburg Area SHS Mechanicsburg 1.2 mi 6.7
TENDER YEARS - MECHANICSBURG Mechanicsburg 1.4 mi
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP Mechanicsburg 1.6 mi
Sporting Hill El Sch Mechanicsburg 2.0 mi 6.7
Mechanicsburg MS Mechanicsburg 2.5 mi 5.1
Hampden El Sch Mechanicsburg 2.5 mi 7.8
Upper Allen El Sch Mechanicsburg 2.7 mi 7.9
Shepherdstown El Sch Mechanicsburg 2.8 mi 8.4
Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center Mechanicsburg 2.9 mi
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Mechanicsburg 2.6 mi
Mountain View MS Mechanicsburg 3.3 mi 6.8
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mechanicsburg 2.6 mi 7.8
THE CHILDRENS GARDEN OF ST JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH Shiremanstown 2.7 mi
Winding Creek El Sch Mechanicsburg 3.6 mi 7.5
OAKWOOD BAPTIST DAY SCHOOL Camp Hill 2.9 mi
RIVER ROCK ACADEMY-SHIREMANSTOWN Shiremanstown 2.9 mi 7.0
FAITH TABERNACLE SCHOOL Mechanicsburg 3.7 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arlington Heights El Sch Stroudsburg, PA 8.1
Damascus Area Sch Damascus, PA 8.1
Kindergarten Academy Prospect Park, PA 8.1
Klein El Sch Erie, PA 8.1
New Hope-Solebury Lower El Sch Solebury, PA 8.1
South Buffalo El Sch Freeport, PA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northside EL Sch

What grades does Northside EL Sch serve?

Northside EL Sch serves students in grades 1st through 3rd.

How many students attend Northside EL Sch?

Northside EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 218 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northside EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Northside EL Sch 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 Northside EL Sch rank in PA?

Northside EL Sch ranks #427 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northside EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northside EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Northside EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northside EL Sch has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northside EL Sch a charter school?

No, Northside EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northside EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Northside EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northside EL Sch?

44.0% of students at Northside EL Sch 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
218
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Cumberland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

District

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

How we rate schools

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