Average
#2172 of 2,842 schools in PA
South Side EL Sch
Elementary School · Central Dauphin SD
4525 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#22 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,275 of 1,625
In district
#16 of 19
Central Dauphin SD
About South Side EL Sch
South Side El Sch is an elementary school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Dauphin County. Situated at 4525 Union Deposit Rd, it serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 676 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, South Side El Sch provides a moderately sized learning environment with 42 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the school.
The academic performance at South Side El Sch shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #2107 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the 26th percentile. In reading and math proficiency tests, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% meet the criteria for proficiency in Math. South Side El Sch is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to local amenities and resources.
The school community works diligently to support its students as they navigate their early academic years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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South Side EL Sch — Students at South Side EL Sch score 31% 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How South Side EL Sch Compares
See how South Side EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 26.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 36.1% (2024).
Location
4525 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Side EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Infinity CS (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Dauphin East SHS Harrisburg | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Phillips El Sch Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg | 0.8 mi | — |
| Infinity CS Harrisburg | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| THE CIRCLE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| ST CATHERINE LABOURE SCHOOL Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Susquehanna Twp MS Harrisburg | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| North Side El Sch Harrisburg | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Paxtang El Sch Harrisburg | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Rutherford El Sch Harrisburg | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| THE SAMUEL SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.4 mi | — |
| Chambers Hill El Sch Harrisburg | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Swatara MS Steelton | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Side EL Sch has a median household income of $84,314. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,500, with a median rent of $1,309/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Ad Prima CS Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Annville El Sch Annville, PA | 5.2 |
| Avonworth Primary Center Pittsburgh, PA | 5.2 |
| Bullskin El Sch Connellsville, PA | 5.2 |
| Forest City Regional El Sch Forest City, PA | 5.2 |
| French Creek El Sch Pottstown, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Side EL Sch
What grades does South Side EL Sch serve?
South Side EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Side EL Sch?
South Side EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 676 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side EL Sch is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Side EL Sch rank in PA?
South Side EL Sch is ranked #2172 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is South Side EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
South Side EL Sch has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Side EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Side EL Sch has 26.5% math proficiency and 38.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Side EL Sch a charter school?
No, South Side EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Side EL Sch a Title I school?
No, South Side EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Side EL Sch?
100.0% of students at South Side 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.
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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 676
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 657-3204
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Dauphin SD- District Enrollment
- 12,543
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,486
- District Rank
- #16 of 19
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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