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#2041 of 2,842 schools in PA

Sylvan Heights Science Cs

Elementary School · Sylvan Heights Science CS

915 S 13th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104

Charter

Enrollment

209

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#18 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,205 of 1,625

About Sylvan Heights Science Cs

Sylvan Heights Science CS is a charter elementary school located in the heart of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Serving kindergarten through fourth grade with an enrollment of 209 students, this school offers a unique science-focused curriculum designed to ignite young minds. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 and 13 full-time equivalent teachers, Sylvan Heights Science CS aims to provide personalized attention and support for each child.

While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—with only 32% proficiency in ELA/reading and 17% proficiency in math—Sylvan Heights Science CS is committed to student development and continuous educational growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 places it at the 12th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, but this reflects a focus on nurturing young learners rather than solely on test scores. Situated in a small city setting, Sylvan Heights Science CS is part of a vibrant community that values education and supports its youth as they embark on their educational journeys.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sylvan Heights Science Cs are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Sylvan Heights Science Cs is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.6%
Math vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,883

Sylvan Heights Science Cs — Students at Sylvan Heights Science Cs score 25% 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 16.5%
School
State
47.0%
ELA Proficiency 31.8%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
19.4%
ELA
31.7%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Sylvan Heights Science Cs Compares

See how Sylvan Heights Science Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in PA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

915 S 13th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sylvan Heights Science Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Premier Arts and Science CS (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Foose Sch Harrisburg 0.1 mi 5.0
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 0.7 mi 3.8
Scott Sch Harrisburg 0.7 mi 3.0
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.6
Melrose Sch Harrisburg 0.8 mi 3.9
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 0.9 mi
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 1.2 mi 5.8
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 1.0 mi 6.7
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 1.3 mi 7.5
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 1.1 mi 7.3
Marshall Math Science Academy Harrisburg 1.4 mi 3.4
Marshall Academy Harrisburg 1.4 mi 5.1
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.6 mi
ST THERESA SCHOOL New Cumberland 1.5 mi 6.3
ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.3 mi 7.6
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTRY SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.4 mi 7.5
Harrisburg HS Harrisburg 1.5 mi 3.3
New Cumberland MS New Cumberland 1.7 mi 6.2
Downey Sch Harrisburg 1.7 mi 4.9
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 1.4 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,113

Median Home Value

$102,200

Median Rent

$953/mo

Population

19,401

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

40.4%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

30.5%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sylvan Heights Science Cs has a median household income of $42,113. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,200, with a median rent of $953/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Avella El Center Avella, PA 5.4
Grace B Luhrs Univ Elem Shippensburg, PA 5.4
New Franklin El Sch Chambersburg, PA 5.4
Northern Potter Childrens School Ulysses, PA 5.4
Penn Cambria Intrmd Sch Lilly, PA 5.4
Pinecreek El Sch Brookville, PA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sylvan Heights Science Cs

What grades does Sylvan Heights Science Cs serve?

Sylvan Heights Science Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Sylvan Heights Science Cs?

Sylvan Heights Science Cs has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sylvan Heights Science Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Sylvan Heights Science Cs 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 Sylvan Heights Science Cs rank in PA?

Sylvan Heights Science Cs is ranked #2041 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Sylvan Heights Science Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Sylvan Heights Science Cs has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Sylvan Heights Science Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sylvan Heights Science Cs has 16.5% math proficiency and 31.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sylvan Heights Science Cs a charter school?

Yes, Sylvan Heights Science Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Sylvan Heights Science Cs a Title I school?

No, Sylvan Heights Science Cs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sylvan Heights Science Cs?

100.0% of students at Sylvan Heights Science Cs 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

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 – 4th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sylvan Heights Science CS
District Enrollment
209
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,972
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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