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Excellent

#425 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 15% 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

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#425 of 2,846

In Hershey

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

Lower Dauphin SD

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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South Hanover EL Sch

8.1/10

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

First Discoveries at Bright Horizons

Nearby

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

Lower Dauphin MS

5.2/10

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

About South Hanover EL Sch

South Hanover EL Sch is a public elementary school in Hershey, PA, part of Lower Dauphin SD. South Hanover EL Sch serves approximately 372 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. South Hanover EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #425 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for South Hanover EL Sch show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+26.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,916
Chronic Absenteeism10.5%

South Hanover EL Sch — Students at South Hanover EL Sch score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 81.1% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
96%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2018
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2024
Math
77.4%
ELA
79.3%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How South Hanover EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in PA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.5%

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

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 Intrmd El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hershey Primary El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Northside El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Palmyra), which scores slightly higher. 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 5.2
Price Hummelstown 2.2 mi
TENDER YEARS Hershey 1.9 mi
Lower Dauphin HS Hummelstown 2.5 mi 7.8
Nye El Sch Hummelstown 2.5 mi 6.2
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey 2.2 mi 7.5
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 2.2 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 2.2 mi 8.9
Hershey MS Hershey 2.4 mi 8.5
Hershey HS Hershey 2.5 mi 8.7
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town 3.2 mi 6.0
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 7.1
GODDARD SCHOOL Hummelstown 4.0 mi
East Hanover El Sch Grantville 4.8 mi 6.1
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra 4.7 mi 7.0
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 4.7 mi 8.3
Northside El Sch Palmyra 4.9 mi 8.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arlington Heights El Sch Stroudsburg, PA 8.1
Culbertson El Sch Newtown Square, PA 8.1
Damascus Area Sch Damascus, PA 8.1
East Juniata El Sch Richfield, PA 8.1
J H Brooks El Sch Moon Township, PA 8.1
Kindergarten Academy Prospect Park, PA 8.1

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 ranks #425 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is South Hanover EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

South Hanover EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 South Hanover EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Hanover EL Sch has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.5%

District

Lower Dauphin SD
District Enrollment
3,444
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,916
District Rank
#1 of 7

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