Skip to main content

Very Good

#851 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 30% in state

Paxtang EL Sch

Elementary School · Central Dauphin SD

3530 Rutherford St, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Enrollment

280

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#5 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#600 of 1,625

In district

#2 of 19

Central Dauphin SD

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Paxtang EL Sch

Paxtang El Sch is an elementary school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. Situated at 3530 Rutherford St, the school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 280 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, Paxtang El Sch provides a moderately sized classroom environment that allows for individual attention.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 51st percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with a state ranking of #1411 out of 2852 schools. The academic score stands at 4.0/10, indicating there is room for improvement. In terms of test performance, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in math.

Paxtang El Sch is situated in a large suburban area, offering a diverse and dynamic community environment. The school focuses on student development with dedicated teachers who work hard to support each child's educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.3%
Math vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,252

Paxtang EL Sch — Students at Paxtang EL Sch score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.5%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 42.2%
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
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
36.5%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Paxtang EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in PA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

3530 Rutherford St, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paxtang EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.6 mi 7.3
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.7 mi 7.5
ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.8 mi 7.3
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg 1.0 mi 3.4
Marshall Academy Harrisburg 1.0 mi 5.1
Harrisburg HS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 3.3
Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 3.5
Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg 1.4 mi 3.8
Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg 1.2 mi 4.9
Steelton-Highspire HS Steelton 1.5 mi 4.9
MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg 1.5 mi
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 1.3 mi 3.9
Swatara MS Steelton 1.6 mi 5.2
Steelton-Highspire El Sch Steelton 1.8 mi 6.2
ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.7 mi 6.9
Scott Sch Harrisburg 1.4 mi 3.0
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 1.5 mi 3.8
Tri-Community El Sch Steelton 2.0 mi 6.7
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.7 mi
South Side El Sch Harrisburg 1.8 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,314

Median Home Value

$225,500

Median Rent

$1,309/mo

Population

35,818

College Educated

33.3%

Homeownership

67.5%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paxtang EL Sch has a median household income of $84,314. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,500, with a median rent of $1,309/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Corry Area Intrmd Sch Corry, PA 7.2
Emlen Eleanor C Sch Philadelphia, PA 7.2
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia, PA 7.2
MONTGOMERY SCHOOL Chester Springs, PA 7.2
Marshall John Sch Philadelphia, PA 7.2
Mary D Lang Kdg Ctr Kennett Square, PA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paxtang EL Sch

What grades does Paxtang EL Sch serve?

Paxtang EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Paxtang EL Sch?

Paxtang EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Paxtang EL Sch is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paxtang EL Sch rank in PA?

Paxtang EL Sch is ranked #851 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Paxtang EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Paxtang EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Paxtang EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paxtang EL Sch has 32.5% math proficiency and 42.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paxtang EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Paxtang EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Paxtang 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
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Dauphin SD
District Enrollment
12,543
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,486
District Rank
#2 of 19

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

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.