Excellent
#216 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 8% in state
South Hanover EL Sch
Elementary School · Lower Dauphin SD
15 W 3rd St, Hershey, PA 17033
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
372
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hershey
#4 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#178 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 7
Lower Dauphin SD
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About South Hanover EL Sch
South Hanover EL Sch is a public elementary school in Hershey, PA, part of the Lower Dauphin SD. The school serves approximately 372 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.4th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 27 points above the state average and 78% in reading/language arts, 25 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $75,093, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Hanover EL Sch — Students at South Hanover EL Sch score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.4%
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: 9.5/10.
How South Hanover EL Sch Compares
See how South Hanover EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 77.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 78% (2019) to 79.4% (2024).
Location
15 W 3rd St, Hershey, PA 17033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Hanover EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hershey Primary El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hershey Intrmd El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northside El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Palmyra), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hershey, see our Hershey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey | 1.9 mi | — |
| Lower Dauphin MS Hummelstown | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Price Hummelstown | 2.2 mi | — |
| TENDER YEARS Hershey | 1.9 mi | — |
| Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Nye El Sch Hummelstown | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Hershey MS Hershey | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Hershey HS Hershey | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL Hershey | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| West Hanover El Sch Harrisburg | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL Hummelstown | 4.0 mi | — |
| East Hanover El Sch Grantville | 4.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Palmyra Area MS Palmyra | 4.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra | 4.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Northside El Sch Palmyra | 4.9 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,093
Median Home Value
$340,900
Median Rent
$1,311/mo
Population
17,009
College Educated
46.3%
Homeownership
53.5%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Hanover EL Sch has a median household income of $75,093. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,900, with a median rent of $1,311/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia, PA | 8.5 |
| Baker El Sch Pittsburgh, PA | 8.5 |
| Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway, PA | 8.5 |
| Case Avenue El Sch Sharon, PA | 8.5 |
| Clarion-Limestone El Sch Strattanville, PA | 8.5 |
| Conewago Twp El Sch Hanover, PA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Hanover EL Sch
What grades does South Hanover EL Sch serve?
South Hanover EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Hanover EL Sch?
South Hanover EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 372 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hanover EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at South Hanover EL Sch is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Hanover EL Sch rank in PA?
South Hanover EL Sch is ranked #216 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is South Hanover EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
South Hanover EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.5 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 South Hanover EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hanover EL Sch has 73.4% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Hanover EL Sch a charter school?
No, South Hanover EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Hanover EL Sch a Title I school?
No, South Hanover EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Hanover EL Sch?
19.4% of students at South Hanover 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 372
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 566-2564
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lower Dauphin SD- District Enrollment
- 3,444
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,916
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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
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