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Below Average

#2433 of 2,846 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

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,433 of 2,846

In Harrisburg

#32 of 40

public schools

In district

#19 of 19

Central Dauphin SD

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South Side EL Sch

4.2/10

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

Central Dauphin East Shs

5.5/10

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

Reach Cyber Cs

5.4/10

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

About South Side EL Sch

South Side EL Sch is a public elementary school in Harrisburg, PA, part of Central Dauphin SD. South Side EL Sch serves approximately 676 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Side EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,433 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for South Side EL Sch show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.1% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,486
Chronic Absenteeism17.5%

South Side EL Sch — Students at South Side EL Sch score 31% 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 39.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 47.5% (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
74%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
24.7%
ELA
40.2%
2024
Math
26.8%
ELA
36.2%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How South Side EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
15th percentile in PA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.5%

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

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. HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Infinity CS (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 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 5.5
Reach Cyber CS Harrisburg 0.7 mi 5.4
Phillips El Sch Harrisburg 0.8 mi 4.5
Central Dauphin East MS Harrisburg 0.7 mi 4.8
BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.7
Central Dauphin MS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 5.3
MERAKEY EDUCATION & AUTISM CENTER Harrisburg 0.8 mi
Infinity CS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.3
Lawnton El Sch Harrisburg 1.3 mi 4.4
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 2.3
North Side El Sch Harrisburg 2.0 mi 5.8
Dauphin County Technical School Harrisburg 1.7 mi 7.1
Paxtang El Sch Harrisburg 1.8 mi 4.6
Rutherford El Sch Harrisburg 1.9 mi 5.8
THE SAMUEL SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.4 mi
Chambers Hill El Sch Harrisburg 2.2 mi 4.6
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.2 mi 7.5
Swatara MS Steelton 2.8 mi 4.5

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
Benjamin Rush El Sch Bensalem, PA 4.2
Brookwood El Sch Levittown, PA 4.2
Feltonville Intermediate School Philadelphia, PA 4.2
Lawton Henry W Sch Philadelphia, PA 4.2
Marshall Street El Sch Norristown, PA 4.2
Marshall Thurgood Philadelphia, PA 4.2

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 ranks #2,433 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is South Side EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

South Side EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Side EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Side EL Sch has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.5%

District

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

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