Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2605 of 2,846 schools in PA

Rowland Academy

Middle School · Harrisburg City SD

1842 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104

Enrollment

577

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,605 of 2,846

In Harrisburg

#35 of 40

public schools

In district

#10 of 12

Harrisburg City SD

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Rowland Academy?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Rowland Academy

3.7/10

Middle School in Harrisburg · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Scott Sch

4.4/10

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

Melrose Sch

4.6/10

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

About Rowland Academy

Rowland Academy is a public middle school in Harrisburg, PA, part of Harrisburg City SD. Rowland Academy serves approximately 577 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Rowland Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,605 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Rowland Academy show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.9
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Rowland Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

59% of students at Rowland Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0.5% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-37.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-45.4 pts
Overall Proficiency4% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-29.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
Resources & Environment1.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,239
Chronic Absenteeism58.6%

Rowland Academy — Students at Rowland Academy score 4% 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 8.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 14.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
27%
ELA
30%
2010
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2011
Math
29%
ELA
31%
2012
Math
25%
ELA
28%
2013
Math
21%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
2%
ELA
7%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
9%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
14%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
14%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
8.6%
2024
Math
0.5%
ELA
8.1%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Rowland Academy Compares

See how Rowland Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in PA
Academic
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
1.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.6%

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 4.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marshall Math Science Academy (rated 2.7/10, 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 4.4
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 0.3 mi 4.6
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 0.4 mi 6.6
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.5 mi
Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg 0.7 mi 2.7
Foose Sch Harrisburg 0.7 mi 4.3
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 0.7 mi 6.2
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 0.8 mi 4.6
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.9 mi
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg 0.8 mi 2.7
Marshall Academy Harrisburg 0.8 mi 4.7
Harrisburg HS Harrisburg 0.9 mi 3.6
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.9 mi 7.5
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.6
Downey Sch Harrisburg 1.3 mi 4.1
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 1.2 mi 7.8
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 4.6
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brownsville Area MS Brownsville, PA 3.7
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA 3.7
Richard Allen Preparatory CS Philadelphia, PA 3.7
Benjamin Franklin MS Levittown, PA 3.8
Lehman Intermediate Sch Dingmans Ferry, PA 3.8
Smith MS Quarryville, PA 3.8

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 ranks #2,605 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Rowland Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Rowland Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Rowland Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rowland Academy has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.6%

District

Harrisburg City SD
District Enrollment
6,395
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,239
District Rank
#10 of 12

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.