Needs Improvement
#2719 of 2,842 schools in PA
Rowland Academy
Middle School · Harrisburg City SD
1842 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
577
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#33 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#492 of 514
In district
#9 of 12
Harrisburg City SD
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Rowland Academy
Rowland Academy is a middle school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 577 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention within its regular public setting. Rowland Academy has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students.
The academic performance at Rowland Academy indicates room for improvement, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 2.2 out of 10 and placing it in the 1st percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In state assessments, only 9% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and a mere 2% demonstrate proficiency in Math. While the data highlights areas where academic growth is needed, Rowland Academy remains an integral part of its community, situated in a small city environment that fosters connections between school and neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Rowland Academy 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rowland Academy — Students at Rowland Academy score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Rowland Academy Compares
See how Rowland Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 4% (2019) to 0.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 8.1% (2024).
Location
1842 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rowland Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Marshall Academy (rated 5.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marshall Math Science Academy (rated 3.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Sch Harrisburg | 0.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Melrose Sch Harrisburg | 0.3 mi | 3.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.5 mi | — |
| Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Foose Sch Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Cougar Academy Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | — |
| Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Marshall Academy Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Harrisburg HS Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Downey Sch Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,113
Median Home Value
$102,200
Median Rent
$953/mo
Population
19,401
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
40.4%
Avg Commute
20.5 min
Poverty Rate
30.5%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rowland Academy has a median household income of $42,113. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,200, with a median rent of $953/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Chartiers Valley MS Bridgeville, PA | 3.8 |
| Southern MS Reading, PA | 3.8 |
| Spring Cove MS Roaring Spring, PA | 3.8 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg, PA | 3.8 |
| Exeter Twp JHS Reading, PA | 3.7 |
| New Castle JHS New Castle, PA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rowland Academy
What grades does Rowland Academy serve?
Rowland Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Rowland Academy?
Rowland Academy has an enrollment of approximately 577 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rowland Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Rowland Academy is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rowland Academy rank in PA?
Rowland Academy is ranked #2719 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Rowland Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Rowland Academy has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Rowland Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rowland Academy has 1.5% math proficiency and 9.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rowland Academy a charter school?
No, Rowland Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rowland Academy a Title I school?
No, Rowland Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rowland Academy?
100.0% of students at Rowland Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,761/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 577
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 703-4500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harrisburg City SD- District Enrollment
- 6,395
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,239
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated 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.