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Excellent

#222 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 8% in state

Northside EL Sch

Elementary School · Palmyra Area SD

301 E Spruce St, Palmyra, PA 17078

Enrollment

232

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

8.5

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmyra

#1 of 6

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#184 of 1,625

In district

#1 of 6

Palmyra Area SD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Northside EL Sch

Northside EL Sch is a public elementary school in Palmyra, PA, part of the Palmyra Area SD. The school serves approximately 232 students in grades 1st – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.2th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 70% proficiency in math, 24 points above the state average and 73% in reading/language arts, 20 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $84,533, where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.8%
Math vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,215

Northside EL Sch — Students at Northside EL Sch score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.6%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
77.1%
ELA
75%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Northside EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
92th percentile in PA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

301 E Spruce St, Palmyra, PA 17078

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northside EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hershey Primary El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Hershey), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hershey Intrmd El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Hershey), with a very similar rating. Additionally, South Hanover El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Hershey), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmyra, see our Palmyra schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra 0.8 mi 7.3
Pine Street El Sch Palmyra 1.0 mi 8.1
Forge Road El Sch Palmyra 0.9 mi 4.3
Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra 1.4 mi 5.5
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 1.8 mi 8.1
MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey 3.4 mi 7.1
Hershey MS Hershey 3.4 mi 8.6
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 3.4 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 3.4 mi 8.6
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey 3.5 mi 7.6
TENDER YEARS Hershey 3.4 mi
Hershey HS Hershey 3.6 mi 7.2
HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown 4.9 mi 7.6
Annville El Sch Annville 4.4 mi 5.2
Annville-Cleona MS Annville 4.6 mi 4.7
FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey 5.1 mi
Annville-Cleona HS Annville 4.7 mi 5.6
East Hanover El Sch Grantville 5.1 mi 6.1
South Hanover El Sch Hershey 4.9 mi 8.5
Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown 6.4 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,533

Median Home Value

$278,300

Median Rent

$1,252/mo

Population

23,798

College Educated

35.1%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northside EL Sch has a median household income of $84,533. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,300, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Centre Hall-Potter El Sch Centre Hall, PA 8.5
Mount Rock Elem Sch Newville, PA 8.5
North East Intermediate Elementary North East, PA 8.5
Penns Manor Area El Sch Clymer, PA 8.5
THE CAMPUS LABORATORY SCHOOL OF CARLOW UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PA 8.5
Benner El Sch Bellefonte, PA 8.4

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 5th.

How many students attend Northside EL Sch?

Northside EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 232 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 is ranked #222 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Northside EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Northside EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Northside EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northside EL Sch has 69.6% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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?

42.2% 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lebanon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palmyra Area SD
District Enrollment
3,518
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,663
District Rank
#1 of 6

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 methodology

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