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Very Good

#661 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 23% in state

Premier Arts and Science Cs

Elementary School · Premier Arts and Science CS

500 North 17th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Charter

Enrollment

163

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#3 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#496 of 1,625

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Premier Arts and Science Cs

Premier Arts and Science CS is a charter elementary school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, serving kindergarten through third grade. The school houses 163 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, ensuring each child receives personalized attention from the 13 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While Premier Arts and Science CS has room for academic growth, it is dedicated to fostering creativity and curiosity in its young learners through an integrated arts and science curriculum.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 reflects the community's mixed feelings about its performance, with a state ranking of 33rd percentile. Premier Arts and Science CS sits in the heart of Harrisburg, offering students access to city resources while providing a nurturing educational environment focused on student development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 163 students, Premier Arts and Science Cs is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Premier Arts and Science Cs are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Premier Arts and Science Cs is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

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+1.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.4%
Math vs. State Avg-40.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.4 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,273

Premier Arts and Science Cs — Students at Premier Arts and Science Cs score 16% proficient, which is below 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 9.1%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
54.6%

Based on 8 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
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
10.7%
ELA
21.4%

* 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 Premier Arts and Science Cs Compares

See how Premier Arts and Science Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in PA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

500 North 17th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Premier Arts and Science Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 0.1 mi 5.8
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.4 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 0.5 mi 6.6
Downey Sch Harrisburg 0.6 mi 4.9
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.6 mi
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 0.8 mi 3.8
Scott Sch Harrisburg 0.8 mi 3.0
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 1.0 mi 3.9
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 1.0 mi 7.3
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 1.1 mi 6.7
Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg 0.9 mi 4.7
Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg 1.3 mi 5.4
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.3 mi 6.4
Harrisburg HS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 3.3
Foose Sch Harrisburg 1.4 mi 5.0
Marshall Academy Harrisburg 1.1 mi 5.1
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg 1.1 mi 3.4
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.2 mi 7.5
ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.2 mi 7.6
NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg 1.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,383

Median Home Value

$113,100

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

12,774

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

31.4%

Median Age

27.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Premier Arts and Science Cs has a median household income of $41,383. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,100, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Calypso El Sch Bethlehem, PA 7.5
Donegal El Sch Jones Mills, PA 7.5
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg, PA 7.5
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg, PA 7.5
Mountaintop Area El Sch Snow Shoe, PA 7.5
OUR MOTHER OF CONSOLATION PARISH SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Premier Arts and Science Cs

What grades does Premier Arts and Science Cs serve?

Premier Arts and Science Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Premier Arts and Science Cs?

Premier Arts and Science Cs has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Premier Arts and Science Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Premier Arts and Science Cs is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Premier Arts and Science Cs rank in PA?

Premier Arts and Science Cs is ranked #661 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Premier Arts and Science Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Premier Arts and Science Cs has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Premier Arts and Science Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Premier Arts and Science Cs has 9.1% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Premier Arts and Science Cs a charter school?

Yes, Premier Arts and Science Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Premier Arts and Science Cs a Title I school?

No, Premier Arts and Science Cs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Premier Arts and Science Cs?

100.0% of students at Premier Arts and Science Cs 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
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 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 – 3rd
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Premier Arts and Science CS
District Enrollment
163
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,885
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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