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Average

#1707 of 2,846 schools in PA

Rutherford EL Sch

Elementary School · Central Dauphin SD

6500 Clearfield St, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,707 of 2,846

In Harrisburg

#12 of 40

public schools

In district

#8 of 19

Central Dauphin SD

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Rutherford EL Sch

5.8/10

Elementary School in Harrisburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chambers Hill EL Sch

4.6/10

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

Bishop Mcdevitt High School

6.7/10

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

About Rutherford EL Sch

Rutherford EL Sch is a public elementary school in Harrisburg, PA, part of Central Dauphin SD. Rutherford EL Sch serves approximately 473 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Rutherford EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,707 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Rutherford EL Sch show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.8% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,486
Chronic Absenteeism13.5%

Rutherford EL Sch — Students at Rutherford EL Sch score 46% 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 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (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
82%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
32.2%
ELA
48.6%
2024
Math
43.7%
ELA
47.7%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Rutherford EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in PA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6500 Clearfield St, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rutherford EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kunkel El Sch (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Infinity CS (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Chambers Hill El Sch Harrisburg 0.8 mi 4.6
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.1 mi 6.7
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg 1.9 mi 7.1
Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg 1.7 mi 4.8
Central Dauphin East SHS Harrisburg 1.9 mi 5.5
THE SAMUEL SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.1 mi
South Side El Sch Harrisburg 1.9 mi 4.2
Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg 1.8 mi 4.4
Infinity CS Harrisburg 2.2 mi 7.3
Phillips El Sch Harrisburg 2.3 mi 4.5
Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg 2.1 mi 5.4
Kunkel El Sch Middletown 2.8 mi 7.4
ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.2 mi 7.3
THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.4 mi 7.3
Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg 2.7 mi 5.3
MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg 2.7 mi
Swatara MS Steelton 3.0 mi 4.5
FOLLOW ME CHRISTIAN EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Harrisburg 3.7 mi 4.3
Paxtonia El Sch Harrisburg 3.7 mi 6.9
EAST SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Harrisburg 3.8 mi

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AVE MARIA ACADEMY - BETHEL CAMPUS Pittsburgh, PA 5.8
Friendship El Sch Glen Rock, PA 5.8
GESU SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 5.8
Hillside El Sch New Cumberland, PA 5.8
McKinley Sch York, PA 5.8
New Brighton Area El Sch New Brighton, PA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rutherford EL Sch

What grades does Rutherford EL Sch serve?

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

How many students attend Rutherford EL Sch?

Rutherford EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford EL Sch is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rutherford EL Sch rank in PA?

Rutherford EL Sch ranks #1,707 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Rutherford EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Rutherford EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rutherford EL Sch has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Rutherford EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Rutherford EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Rutherford 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dauphin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.5%

District

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

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